One of the key things you can do to help the planet is to use less palm oil. The orangutan population has HALVED since 2010 and up to 300 football pitches of rainforest an hour are cut down to make way for palm plantations, but how can we help?

Here are some everyday items you probably have in your house that contain palm oil. (Source: the WWF & One Green Planet.org) If a palm oil-free version of these products is available that’s great! Use it, then perhaps tell a friend about it to spread the word. But if there isn’t maybe just use less of the products.

Lipstick: palm oil is used in lipstick because it doesn't melt at high temperatures, holds colour well and doesn't add any strange tastes. How you can make a difference: use less or buy palm oil free lipsticks and other beauty products.

Pizza dough: palm oil makes the dough less sticky and enhances texture. How you can make a difference: have a go at making your own dough! Or buy RSPO certified oil versions.

Instant noodles: Palm oil is up to 20% of some instant noodles and is used in cooking them. How you can make a difference: Buy non-instant noodles or find palm-oil free ones.

Shampoo: Palm oil is used as a conditioning agent to restore natural oils taken away by shampoo. How you can make a difference: use palm-oil free shampoos or wash hair a little less often (but not too little!)

Ice cream: palm oil makes ice cream well… creamy. How you can make a difference: buy palm oil free ice cream or make some yourself!

Chocolate: palm oil makes chocolate shiny and stops it from melting. How you can make a difference: there are lots of palm oil free chocolates available in most supermarkets. Extra thanks to WWF for the information. I hope you learned something!