The Momentum logo
All Sustainability, All The Time
Location icon
San Diego, CA 75.0 °F
Bell icon
Get Daily Inspiration
Support Journalism
Location icon
San Diego, CA 75.0 °F
Advertise
Membership
Search icon
Menu icon
Search icon
News
ALL Now
Right arrow icon
Business
Right arrow icon
Climate
Right arrow icon
Farming
Right arrow icon
Fashion
Right arrow icon
Food
Right arrow icon
Innovation
Right arrow icon
International
Right arrow icon
Lifestyle
Right arrow icon
Policy
Right arrow icon
Technology
Right arrow icon
Transportation
Right arrow icon
Wellness
Right arrow icon
Mar 5
Business
Celebrating Women's Day
Down right arrow
Circle
Read more
Oct 16
Innovation
The First Plastic-Free Technical Sportswear Is Officially Here
Down right arrow
Circle
Read more
Oct 11
Transportation
From Green Lights To Blue Skies, Google’s Making Moves In The Sustainability Space
Down right arrow
Circle
Read more
NowGuidesStoriesTrends
Experiences
This is some text inside of a div block.
Coast Film & Music Festival
Down right arrow
Circle
Read more
This is some text inside of a div block.
OHANA Festival
Down right arrow
Circle
Read more
StudioThink
Bookhouse

How 3 Popular Cooking Oils Are Produced And What It Means For The Environment

HomeDown arrowArticlesDown arrowArticles: PeopleDown arrow
How 3 Popular Cooking Oils Are Produced And What It Means For The Environment
By
Momentum Contributing Writer
Jonathan D. Bourdeau
The Momentum Contributing Writer

Click here for audio version

It's hard to deny the fresh, vibrant flavors of home cooking done in high-quality olive, coconut, or avocado oil. For many westerners, olive oil has been a staple for millennia. However, coconut and avocado have seen growing popularity over the last few decades. All three oils have proven health benefits, delivering the healthy fats our cell membranes need to stay strong.  

However, increasing demand means potential environmental side effects, and some are asking questions about the sustainability of popular oil crops. This article will outline how producers extract and process these oils and the environmental challenges their methods present.

‍

Ancient Practices Make The Best Modern Olive Oils

Traditional animal-powered olive presses olives into a paste or pulp. Farmers would then put the pulp in woven baskets made of rushes, palm fronds, willow, or hemp. Then, they would place a massive stone on top to drain the oil and water into a vat. Over time, the oil would rise, allowing the farmer to retrieve it. In addition, olive farmers would often filter the oil to boost its purity, using the oil-drenched olive particles as lamp fuel.

Modern production methods have replaced hand-made equipment with machines, but the same principles prevail. Stackable fiber discs are simpler to clean and maintain than hand-made baskets. In addition, we use centrifuges to separate oil and water swiftly, boosting cleanliness. High-quality olives provide great-tasting "cold-pressed" "extra virgin" oils.

On the other hand, low-quality olives are heated to eliminate contaminants, but the taste suffers. Nevertheless, modern oil facilities may maintain excellent quality by regularly cleaning grindstones, fiber discs, and centrifuges.

‍

Intensive Farming Threatens Olive Farming Sustainability

Extra virgin olive oil can be sustainable if the plantations are traditionally run. However, this is a labor-intensive process, leaving open the possibility of workforce inequities. In an ideal system, the laborers would receive just compensation, the olive trees would receive no chemical fertilizers or pesticides, and the production facilities would exclusively use cold pressing. Under these circumstances, extra virgin olive oil production can be a net carbon sink.

Unfortunately, intensive cultivation often relies on unnaturally high tree density along with synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Moreover, some producers use chemicals to purify the oil, leaving the pulp highly toxic and unusable. The results of an industrial approach to olive oil production are increased water runoff pollution, desertification, and chemical pollution.

‍

Avocados Are More Heat Resistant Than Olives

Most avocado oil comes from a mechanical extraction like traditional olive oil. However, the main difference is that the oil comes from the meat of the avocado, not the seed. First, the producer needs to remove the skin and the seed. Then, they grind the flesh into a pulp, applying a bit of heat to assist in the separation of oil. 

Avocado oil has a higher tolerance to heat than olive oil, so there is a broader range of acceptable heat for avocado oil to be "cold pressed." Again, as with olives, the avocado pulp enters a centrifuge to separate the pulp, water, and oil. The pulp, skin, and seeds often return to the farm for use as fertilizer or animal feed.

‍

Imported Avocado Oil Is Poorly Regulated – Seek Organic

South American cultures have cultivated avocados for over 3,000 years, and the traditional methods (and scale) of production were sustainable. However, increasing demand has caused problems all along the production chain. For example, the carbon footprint of two avocados is more than double that of an entire kilogram of bananas.

In Mexico, where the majority of avocados consumed in the US originate, increased production has led to water depletion and deforestation. Furthermore, growing demand has driven prices so high that the locals who grow avocados cannot even afford their own products. These circumstances are unfortunate, considering the well-known health benefits of avocados. Therefore, seeking organic, fair-trade avocado oil is the best way to minimize the negative impact on society and the environment.

‍

There's More than One Way To Skin A Coconut

There are many ways to get oil from a coconut, and each extraction method yields oil with different qualities. However, coconut farmers often use hot presses (expeller presses). The heat from the press degrades some nutrients in hot-pressed oil. In addition, heated centrifuges separate coconut oil from coconut milk.

Coconut oil producers often treat coconut meat with hexane or other chemicals. However, these methods can leave chemical residues if not done correctly. And since opening coconuts requires specialized tools, which increases labor costs, they have earned a reputation as environmentally friendly because they are harvested by hand. In addition, virgin (or unheated) coconut oil's purity has caused it to grow in popularity over the last decade.

‍

Small Farmers Dominate The Coconut Landscape

Coconut oil can be a sustainable choice with a few caveats. First, coconut trees are not associated with deforestation on the scale of many other oil crops like palms. In fact, about 95% of oil-producing coconut trees are on small farms in the Philippines and Indonesia, cultivated by hand (i.e., without heavy machinery), and not part of a monoculture operation.  

Nevertheless, there are still sustainability concerns with coconut oil. For instance, hexane, often used in the oil extraction process, is a pollutant with possible health side effects. Furthermore, centrifuges and chemical processes can be energy intensive for the amount of oil they produce. Finally, coconut farms in Southeast Asia have faced accusations of forced child (and monkey!) labor.

‍

Sustainability Is More About Practices Than Crops

In an ideal world, we would enjoy the health benefits of our food without having to worry about any social or environmental implications. Unfortunately, while this is yet more encouragement to source food locally where it's easier to determine how it's produced, mass importation is unlikely to cease. Therefore, the best bet for sustainability when choosing a cooking oil comes down more to farming and production practices than the type of oil.

Coconut, avocado, and olive oil each present environmental challenges, especially regarding scale. However, traditional production methods that eschew chemicals and avoid intensive practices can minimize the negative impacts. Indeed, we may find out in the future that these healthy oil crops should replace some more common ones like palm, soybean, and canola.  

‍

Key Takeaways

  • Go Organic – Olive, avocado, and coconut oils are not regulated to the same standards. Since it can be challenging to determine whether something is produced sustainably, we are at the mercy of 3rd party labels. Certified Organic is better than nothing!
  • Fairtrade When Possible – As with Certified Organic, Fairtrade certification should ensure that your oils are produced with a minimum level of humane treatment for laborers (and monkeys!). In addition, Fairtrade usually entails a minimum price to ensure a livable wage for producers that allows them to invest in their communities.  
  • Stay Local – Easier said than done since it can be tough to find locally grown avocados, coconuts, and olives in many parts of the US. Nevertheless, localizing your food sources reduces transportation emissions and demand, lowering strain on the source nation.
READ MORE:
Elemental Magic: Hiking Through The Cochamó Valley
Surf, Sustainability, And The Role Of Eco-Media
How Conflict Threatens Our Most Precious Resource
How To Be A Steward Of The Sea
Maine Outdoor Brands: A Collective For Sustainable Recreation
Sponsored content
HomeDown arrowArticlesDown arrowArticles: PeopleDown arrow
How 3 Popular Cooking Oils Are Produced And What It Means For The Environment
By
Momentum Contributing Writer
Jonathan D. Bourdeau
The Momentum Contributing Writer

Click here for audio version

It's hard to deny the fresh, vibrant flavors of home cooking done in high-quality olive, coconut, or avocado oil. For many westerners, olive oil has been a staple for millennia. However, coconut and avocado have seen growing popularity over the last few decades. All three oils have proven health benefits, delivering the healthy fats our cell membranes need to stay strong.  

However, increasing demand means potential environmental side effects, and some are asking questions about the sustainability of popular oil crops. This article will outline how producers extract and process these oils and the environmental challenges their methods present.

Ancient Practices Make the Best Modern Olive Oils

Traditional animal-powered olive presses olives into a paste or pulp. Farmers would then put the pulp in woven baskets made of rushes, palm fronds, willow, or hemp. Then, they would place a massive stone on top to drain the oil and water into a vat. Over time, the oil would rise, allowing the farmer to retrieve it. In addition, olive farmers would often filter the oil to boost its purity, using the oil-drenched olive particles as lamp fuel.

‍

Modern production methods have replaced hand-made equipment with machines, but the same principles prevail. Stackable fiber discs are simpler to clean and maintain than hand-made baskets. In addition, we use centrifuges to separate oil and water swiftly, boosting cleanliness. High-quality olives provide great-tasting "cold-pressed" "extra virgin" oils.

‍

On the other hand, low-quality olives are heated to eliminate contaminants, but the taste suffers. Nevertheless, modern oil facilities may maintain excellent quality by regularly cleaning grindstones, fiber discs, and centrifuges.

Intensive Farming Threatens Olive Farming Sustainability

Extra virgin olive oil can be sustainable if the plantations are traditionally run. However, this is a labor-intensive process, leaving open the possibility of workforce inequities. In an ideal system, the laborers would receive just compensation, the olive trees would receive no chemical fertilizers or pesticides, and the production facilities would exclusively use cold pressing. Under these circumstances, extra virgin olive oil production can be a net carbon sink.

‍

Unfortunately, intensive cultivation often relies on unnaturally high tree density along with synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Moreover, some producers use chemicals to purify the oil, leaving the pulp highly toxic and unusable. The results of an industrial approach to olive oil production are increased water runoff pollution, desertification, and chemical pollution.

‍

Avocados Are More Heat Resistant than Olives

Most avocado oil comes from a mechanical extraction like traditional olive oil. However, the main difference is that the oil comes from the meat of the avocado, not the seed. First, the producer needs to remove the skin and the seed. Then, they grind the flesh into a pulp, applying a bit of heat to assist in the separation of oil. 

‍

Avocado oil has a higher tolerance to heat than olive oil, so there is a broader range of acceptable heat for avocado oil to be "cold pressed." Again, as with olives, the avocado pulp enters a centrifuge to separate the pulp, water, and oil. The pulp, skin, and seeds often return to the farm for use as fertilizer or animal feed.

‍

Imported Avocado Oil Is Poorly Regulated – Seek Organic

South American cultures have cultivated avocados for over 3,000 years, and the traditional methods (and scale) of production were sustainable. However, increasing demand has caused problems all along the production chain. For example, the carbon footprint of two avocados is more than double that of an entire kilogram of bananas.

‍

In Mexico, where the majority of avocados consumed in the US originate, increased production has led to water depletion and deforestation. Furthermore, growing demand has driven prices so high that the locals who grow avocados cannot even afford their own products. These circumstances are unfortunate, considering the well-known health benefits of avocados. Therefore, seeking organic, fair-trade avocado oil is the best way to minimize the negative impact on society and the environment.

‍

There's More than One Way to Skin a Coconut

There are many ways to get oil from a coconut, and each extraction method yields oil with different qualities. However, coconut farmers often use hot presses (expeller presses). The heat from the press degrades some nutrients in hot-pressed oil. In addition, heated centrifuges separate coconut oil from coconut milk.

‍

Coconut oil producers often treat coconut meat with hexane or other chemicals. However, these methods can leave chemical residues if not done correctly. And since opening coconuts requires specialized tools, which increases labor costs, they have earned a reputation as environmentally friendly because they are harvested by hand. In addition, virgin (or unheated) coconut oil's purity has caused it to grow in popularity over the last decade.

‍

Small Farmers Dominate the Coconut Landscape

Coconut oil can be a sustainable choice with a few caveats. First, coconut trees are not associated with deforestation on the scale of many other oil crops like palms. In fact, about 95% of oil-producing coconut trees are on small farms in the Philippines and Indonesia, cultivated by hand (i.e., without heavy machinery), and not part of a monoculture operation.  

‍

Nevertheless, there are still sustainability concerns with coconut oil. For instance, hexane, often used in the oil extraction process, is a pollutant with possible health side effects. Furthermore, centrifuges and chemical processes can be energy intensive for the amount of oil they produce. Finally, coconut farms in Southeast Asia have faced accusations of forced child (and monkey!) labor.

‍

Sustainability Is More About Practices than Crops

In an ideal world, we would enjoy the health benefits of our food without having to worry about any social or environmental implications. Unfortunately, while this is yet more encouragement to source food locally where it's easier to determine how it's produced, mass importation is unlikely to cease. Therefore, the best bet for sustainability when choosing a cooking oil comes down more to farming and production practices than the type of oil.

‍

Coconut, avocado, and olive oil each present environmental challenges, especially regarding scale. However, traditional production methods that eschew chemicals and avoid intensive practices can minimize the negative impacts. Indeed, we may find out in the future that these healthy oil crops should replace some more common ones like palm, soybean, and canola.  

‍

Key Takeaways

  • Go Organic – Olive, avocado, and coconut oils are not regulated to the same standards. Since it can be challenging to determine whether something is produced sustainably, we are at the mercy of 3rd party labels. Certified Organic is better than nothing!
  • Fairtrade When Possible – As with Certified Organic, Fairtrade certification should ensure that your oils are produced with a minimum level of humane treatment for laborers (and monkeys!). In addition, Fairtrade usually entails a minimum price to ensure a livable wage for producers that allows them to invest in their communities.  
  • Stay Local – Easier said than done since it can be tough to find locally grown avocados, coconuts, and olives in many parts of the US. Nevertheless, localizing your food sources reduces transportation emissions and demand, lowering strain on the source nation.

Listen to the audio version of this content

momentum

More Articles...

Plus icon
Circle
Explore All
3
Product - Articles
Surf, Sustainability, And The Role Of Eco-Media
At the intersection of sustainable surf, ocean conservation, and coastal stewardship is eco-media that inspires surfers and land-dwellers alike.
Valentina Scaife
Down right arrow
Circle
Read more
4
Product - Articles
Economic Degrowth May Save the Planet
An alternative economic model that focuses on policies that prioritize people and planet over profit can save us from climate disaster.
Lorena Bally
Down right arrow
Circle
Read more
3
Product - Articles
From Eco-Anxiety To Eco-Resilience: How To Cope With Climate Change
Navigate eco-anxiety and burnout with compassion and resilience in the face of environmental challenges with these tips!
Reese Williams
Down right arrow
Circle
Read more
3
Product - Articles
Exploring Ecotherapy: Healing Through Nature's Embrace
Discover the benefits of incorporating nature into your wellness practice with ecotherapy.
Reese Williams
Down right arrow
Circle
Read more
Next
The Momentum Community Newsletter
Sign up to stay updated on new content and happenings in our community weekly
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Momentum Overview
Sustainable Advertising
Sponsored Content
Sustainability Reports
© 2025 Momentum LLC
Stories of Sustainability
X
Subscribe now

Get the best content and best stories
in your inbox every day!

Thanks, We’ll keep you in the loop.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form
We hate Spam and
We'll never share your information