There’s something undeniably comforting about the warm glow and inviting scent of a burning candle. Whether you’re unwinding after a long day, setting a cosy atmosphere, or celebrating a special occasion, candles have a unique way of enhancing our spaces and moods alike. But have you ever considered the environmental impact of your favourite flicker? Let’s take a look at why eco-friendly candles are on the rise…
Traditionally, many candles are made from paraffin wax which is a byproduct of petroleum. While affordable, burning paraffin wax can release soot and potentially harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Add to that the often-synthetic fragrances, lead wicks, and non-recyclable packaging, and your seemingly innocent candle can start to look a little less appealing from an eco-conscious perspective.
Thankfully, the world of candles is evolving, and sustainable options are now readily available worldwide, allowing you to enjoy your beloved ambiance guilt-free. So, let’s find out makes a candle sustainable.
The Wax: Nature’s Embrace
The foundation of any sustainable candle lies in its wax. Switching paraffin for natural alternatives is the first and most crucial step:
- Soy Wax: Derived from soybeans, soy wax is a renewable resource, biodegradable, and burns cleaner and longer than paraffin. It also boasts excellent scent throw, meaning your chosen fragrance will beautifully fill your room.
- Coconut Wax: Often blended with soy or other natural waxes, coconut wax is another fantastic sustainable option. It’s incredibly clean-burning, offers a slow burn time, and has a lovely creamy texture.
- Beeswax: A truly ancient and natural choice, beeswax is produced by bees and has a naturally sweet, subtle aroma. It’s known for its exceptionally clean burn and air-purifying qualities, as it releases negative ions that can help neutralise pollutants. However, it’s worth noting that ethical sourcing of beeswax is important.
The Wick: Clean Burn, Clear Conscience
Just as important as the wax is the wick. Sustainable candles typically feature:
- Cotton Wicks: Made from 100% natural cotton, these wicks burn cleanly and are free from lead or other harmful metals often found in conventional wicks.
- Wood Wicks: Offering a unique crackling sound reminiscent of a miniature fireplace, wood wicks are a delightful and sustainable alternative. They are typically made from sustainably sourced wood and provide a clean, even burn.
The Fragrance: From Nature’s Bounty
While synthetic fragrances can be strong, they often contain phthalates and other chemicals that aren’t ideal for indoor air quality. Sustainable candles prioritise natural scent sources:
- Essential Oils: Derived directly from plants, essential oils offer genuine, complex aromas without the synthetic additives. Lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and citrus oils are popular choices.
- Phthalate-Free Fragrance Oils: For those who prefer a wider range of scents, many sustainable brands use high-quality, phthalate-free fragrance oils that are specifically designed to be safe and clean-burning.
The Packaging: Mindful Of The Planet
A truly sustainable candle considers its entire lifecycle, and that includes its packaging:
- Recyclable or Reusable Containers: Glass jars are a popular choice as they can be easily cleaned and repurposed for storing spices, small trinkets, drinking glasses or recycled.
- Minimal and Recycled Packaging: Look for candles with minimal packaging, made from recycled paper or cardboard and printed with eco-friendly inks.
- Refill Programs: Some innovative brands are even offering candle refill programs, allowing you to simply purchase a wax refill and reuse your existing vessel.
Making The Switch To Sustainable Candles
Embracing sustainable candles is an easy and impactful way to make your home more eco-friendly. Here are a few tips:
- Read the Labels: Always check the ingredients list. Look for natural waxes, cotton or wood wicks, and natural or phthalate-free fragrances.
- Support Small Businesses: Many independent candlemakers are passionate about sustainability and craft their products with great care and attention to eco-friendly practices.
- Repurpose or Recycle: Once your candle has burned down, clean out the container and give it a new life!
By choosing sustainable candles, you’re not just illuminating your space; you’re casting a vote for a healthier planet and a cleaner home. So go ahead, light up your life, sustainably!
The Pourable Candle Company: Refillable Candles
A brand that I personally love is the Pourable Candle Company and their beautiful refillable candles, as they believe that the future of candles is refillable. Reflecting upon the amount of waste created by traditional candles, from burning toxins to discarding the jar in landfill, they recognised the need for smarter candle use. Pourable candles are an eco-friendly solution for long-lasting fragrance minus the waste, toxins and unnecessary costs of single use.
Not only better for the planet, they’re also better for all, as their clean-burning soy wax and pure essential oils create a much healthier home environment, free from harmful toxins and artificial scents. This allows you to breathe easier, relax deeper, and fill your space with nature-inspired aromas that support your wellbeing rather than making you sick.
Essentially, pourable candles allow you to have a candle that never runs out; the future of candlelight. You simply refill the wax, relight and relax. Their refills are eco-friendly, non-toxic, sustainable, natural and contain 100% pure essential oils in a beautiful soy wax blend, making them healthy, cost-effective and simple to use.
My candle kit included 240g of soy wax infused with premium essential oils, a candle wick, box of matches, wick holder and safety label, with the instructions written on the back of the recyclable pouch. To make up a candle you remove all contents from the pouch, aside from the wax, and pop it into the microwave for 2mins or boil in water until fully dissolved.
You then stick the wick to the middle of your container, for which I used a glass mug, and slot the wick holder over the top to hold it in place. Once melted, you can pour the wax into the container of your choice and leave it to set for 3hrs+ before you remove the wick holder and trim the wick. I chose their Restorative blend which contains bergamot, clary sage and lavender and is so soothing.
The experience of pouring the wax and enjoying my handmade candle is incredibly mindful, relaxing and makes me appreciate it all the more. It’s a conscious, loving decision and calming ritual for a better home, wellbeing and planet; it takes unwinding after a long day to a whole new level to choose quality and craftsmanship over quantity.
Burning cleaner and up to 50% longer than traditional candles, the premium soy wax and essential oils are so impactful on our home. There are a whole range of natural scents which I can’t wait to try, from Clarity & Focus to Energise, Uplifting and Comforting. Rather than having a shelf of candles cluttered and collecting dust, I now have my beautiful candle mug which I can carry between rooms without burning my fingers, as I appreciate the minimalist simplicity of the glass and enjoy the stunning natural scents for hours upon hours.
With up to 60hrs burn time, you can turn any suitable container in your home into a more cost-effective candle, or reuse your favourite candle jar rather than throw it away after it’s use. Free from paraffin wax, fragrance oil, toxins and unnecessary packaging, pourable candles are undoubtedly the future of home scents and have made such a bright and beautiful addition to our home.
www.pourable.co.uk
Instagram: @pourablecandle
Facebook: /pourablecandlecompany
