Candles to most of us are what candy is to children. The delightful scent of each candle tells a unique story. The feeling of finding your new favourite scent is nothing short of magical. Though the selling point of candles is mostly their scent, as a conscious consumer you want to be considering what the candles are actually made out of.
Conscious consumerism in candles is a new but upcoming trend. More and more consumers are starting to question what their favourite candles are made of and if the ingredients are non-toxic, natural and most importantly conscious consumer friendly. If you’re looking to shop for some conscious candles, here is a list of what to look out for:
Shop Conscious Candles - Start with Soy Wax Candles
When purchasing a candle, it is super important to check what wax your candle is made of. Most often, you’ll notice that the wax chosen by the candlemaker is anything but a conscious choice. For example, Paraffin wax is still the most popularly used to make candles. Why is Paraffin wax bad? Well, Paraffin is a by-product of petroleum - a definite red flag for conscious consumers. Petroleum is not an environmentally conscious resource as it releases pollutants, damages natural habitats and most importantly promotes climate change. Also, you’re better off avoiding a candle made with beeswax. This is because beeswax is not ethically conscious - the extraction of the beeswax is damaging to beehives which threaten the bees and in turn the environment.
Soy wax candles are the way to go. Soy wax is a 100% natural wax that is derived from vegetable soybeans. Picking soy wax candles is an eco-conscious choice since this wax is environmentally friendly, biodegrades and is a fully renewable resource. Candles made with soy wax are also ethically and socially conscious. When you buy hand-poured soy wax candles, you’re indirectly supporting the soybean farmers who rely on such choices for their social and financial wellbeing. Aside from the conscious advantages of soy wax candles, soy wax is also popularly known for burning longer and cleaner. With minimal soot being released, you’re getting more burn for your buck!
Shop Conscious Candles - Choose Hand Poured Candles
When you’ve got a choice between hand poured or mass manufactured candles, you should definitely pick the former. Why are hand-poured candles better? Firstly, they’re made in small batches which means the candlemaker is actively exercising maximum quality control to ensure you’re receiving excellent candles. Mass-produced store-bought candles are made with huge manufacturing machines. This is not socially conscious as it limits the jobs for the local economy and the final product is definitely not given the same attention to detail.
Hand-poured candles are also more likely to be environmentally conscious. From the candle wax to the candle wick, the candlemakers often make these products with sustainable and eco-friendly materials. So, it’s evident that hand-poured candles are more value for your money because they come with no compromise on quality. They are crafted carefully with all-natural and quality ingredients making the perfect conscious consumer choice.
Reusable Candles are better than Recyclable and Non-recyclable Candles
A part of being a socially conscious consumer is getting creative before recycling. In a bid to make a conscious purchase, try looking for conscious candle brands that are starting to make an active effort to bring dual-purpose candles to your homes. This move is influenced by the growing trend of upcycling. What is upcycling? Well, simply put, it’s a set of processes whereby ‘old’ products get a second life as a ‘new’ product. If you’re wondering if upcycling is eco-conscious then it absolutely is; it contributes to less CO2 emissions by extending the lifetime of materials and reducing the need for the production of new products.
Our Soy Candles with Plantable Seeded Labels are a good example of such dual-purpose products which can be up-cycled. Once your candle is done glowing, you can use the empty candle jar to get growing! Considering the fact that thousands of empty candle jars reach landfills each year, we’re helping you do your bit by not adding to the numbers. If you think about it, it’s basically the best 2 for the price of 1!
Eco-conscious Candle Packaging
Conscious consumerism in candles extends beyond just the product. It is also super important to look out for the packaging in which your purchased candle is arriving. The reality is that many candle brands produce ‘conscious’ candles but the benefits of that can be quickly countered with packaging which is not environmentally conscious eg. single-use plastics.
So, what is eco-friendly packaging in candles? By definition, any packaging that is easy to recycle, safe for people and the environment and is made of recycled materials is considered eco-friendly. In essence, the materials used should have minimal impact on energy consumption and natural resources. If your candle is coming packaged in paper, cardboard and/or ‘packing peanuts’ then it’s a good sign. Each of these materials is biodegradable, recyclable and naturally decompose.
Conscious consumerism in candles? It’s definitely a movement you don’t want to miss. If you have an opportunity to assess your purchasing habits then make sure they’re socially, environmentally and ethically conscious. At the end of the day, you’re going home with the satisfaction of a new candle and also knowing that your purchase has done well in a variety of ways!
SHOP CONSCIOUS CANDLES