America's RV Boom Linked to Orangutan Habitat Destruction in Borneo

A Devastating Connection: Orangutan Habitats Fall to RV Production

A disturbing investigation by NGOs Earthsight, Auriga Nusantara, and Mighty Earth has unearthed a grim reality: the very forests vital to the survival of critically endangered orangutans are being felled to produce wood used in popular recreational vehicles (RVs) sold in the United States. This tragic link between American consumers' love for mobile adventures and the destruction of Borneo's irreplaceable ecosystems highlights a critical ethical and environmental crisis.

The Chain of Destruction from Borneo to American Roads

The investigation meticulously traces a path of deforestation from the Indonesian island of Borneo, a crucial sanctuary for orangutan populations teetering on the brink of extinction, all the way to the assembly lines of major American RV manufacturers like Jayco, Winnebago, and Forest River. The raw material, primarily meranti wood known for its lightweight, flexible, moisture-resistant, and durable qualities – making it ideal for RV sidewalls – originates from forest concessions held by PT Indosubur Sukses Makmur. This timber is then processed into plywood by the Indonesian giant KLAM before traversing the globe.

Mediators and Loopholes: Facilitating the Trade

The journey doesn't end with KLAM. Through American intermediaries such as MJB Wood, Tumac Lumber, and Patrick Industries, this plywood finds its way into the supply chains of the RV industry. While Indonesia does not currently have a ban on logging, the United States' Lacey Act, designed to combat illegal timber imports, reportedly contains loopholes. These allow timber sourced from legal deforestation in countries like Indonesia to enter the American market without sufficient scrutiny of its origin or environmental impact.

Borneo's Vanishing Rainforests and Endangered Residents

The scale of the destruction is staggering. Satellite imagery analysis indicates that PT Indosubur Sukses Makmur has been actively logging since at least 2021, clearing approximately 1,200 hectares of forest. In the first half of 2025 alone, an alarming 138 hectares were lost. This area is not just any forest; it's a critical habitat for the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) and the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), both facing imminent extinction. The concession area itself, spanning 28,000 hectares, overlaps with the Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat karst, a prehistoric landscape being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status. Official estimates suggest only 310 orangutans remain in this vital region. The loss of these forests also has profound implications for groundwater management and the traditional lifestyles of indigenous communities.

A Sustainable Alternative Ignored

The investigation points out that readily available sustainable alternatives, such as those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), exist. Adopting these certified timbers would reportedly increase the cost of RVs by a mere $20. However, the report suggests that American manufacturers have shown little interest in pursuing these more ethical and environmentally responsible options, prioritizing cost savings over ecological preservation. This indifference allows the devastating cycle of deforestation and species endangerment to continue unchecked.

A Growing Market Driven by a Flawed System

The demand for RVs in the United States has surged dramatically, with nearly 8 million Americans now owning these mobile homes. This burgeoning market has been fueled, in part, by the use of Indonesian meranti wood since the 1970s, which offers a lighter and more fuel-efficient alternative to heavier domestic woods, thereby enhancing safety and affordability. In 2024 alone, US imports of meranti plywood saw an 88% increase, with Indonesia being the primary source, making the US the second-largest export market for Indonesian plywood after China. Earthsight and Auriga estimate that around 500 meranti trees are felled annually in Indonesia to meet the demands of the US RV industry. The current legal framework in the US, while prohibiting *illegal* timber, fails to adequately address the devastating consequences of *legal* deforestation that decimates critical habitats.

A Call for Action: Protecting Forests for Future Generations

In response to these findings, rights organizations are urging Indonesian authorities to strengthen forest protection laws. Simultaneously, they are calling on the US to enact legislation akin to the EU's Forest Regulation, which imposes stricter due diligence on timber imports. Without these crucial reforms, Indonesia's vital tropical forests, which play an indispensable role in carbon sequestration and climate regulation, will continue to be sacrificed for consumer goods, exacerbating the global climate crisis and pushing more species towards the precipice of extinction.