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Eco-Friendly Candles: Give the Gift of a Non-Toxic Sustainable Light
Candles have been around for centuries, and their use has only grown in popularity over time, as the industry reaches a value of over 3.5 million dollars. Candles are, in fact, so popular that seven out of ten households in the US use them.
Candles are loved by many people because they can help you feel energetic, sharpen your mind, and relieve stress. Candles can be the perfect gift for any special occasion, from birthday parties to wedding anniversaries, and can be a great way to show someone you care about them.
What kind of candle would you choose for someone special?
If you want to give them something unique, then eco-friendly candles are the way to go.
Eco-friendly candles are becoming very popular because they are safe for our health and environment. They don’t contain harmful chemicals or toxins, they burn cleanly without smoke, and they smell great too.
Eco-friendly candles are healthy for the planet and your wallet, and they make thoughtful presents for everyone on your list – even if they already have an overflowing candle collection! In this article, we’ll cover some of the benefits of eco-friendly candles and how you can give them as gifts to family members and friends.
Do candles really cause harm to your health and the environment?
Candles are one of the most popular household items around. But many people don’t realize how harmful some types of candles can be, especially when made with low-quality ingredients and synthetic fragrances.
The main concern for our health would be related to the particles that are released in the air when candles are burning, which could potentially enter our lungs. As of today, there are no conclusive studies that determine that the substances emitted by candles are dangerous for humans.
However, the production and the ingredients used in most commercial candles definitely pose a threat to our environment.
Paraffin wax, which is what makes up most of the candles you buy in stores, is derived from petroleum products. Petroleum is a fossil fuel that emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere during combustion. And it takes about 10 pounds of oil to make just one pound of paraffin wax, according to the National Candle Association. Paraffin wax is also considered a hazardous waste product because of its toxic chemicals.
Packaging and plastic containers are other sources of environmental concern. Plastic is made from fossil fuels like oil and natural gas. A single piece of plastic can take thousands of gallons of water to produce.
When you burn a candle, it also creates smoke and tiny particles called particulate matter. These particles can travel long distances, contributing to smog and climate change.
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you use only biodegradable soy-based wicks in your candles. Soy wicks are made from renewable resources and do not pollute the earth.
If you want to go green with your candles, consider buying ones made from beeswax. Beeswax burns cleaner than paraffin wax and doesn’t require a wick.
Your full Guide: What to look for when Buying Eco-Friendly Candles?
The best eco-friendly candles are those that use natural ingredients. These candles burn cleaner than traditional paraffin candles, releasing less smoke and ash into the air.
But with so many options available today, how are you supposed to recognize candles that are worthy to be gifted to your eco-conscious friends?
We have done the hard work for you and put together a simple guide to make your decision-making process easier:
1 - where was the candle made?
You should look for candle makers who care about the environment, sustainability, and social justice issues. Small businesses are usually the best sources of eco-candles. Local Candlemakers are often located in rural areas or towns with little competition. Candles are often sold directly to consumers via local stores.
2 - Which is the most eco-friendly material for candle wicks?
Look for cotton, hemp, or wood wicks. These materials burn cleanly without producing smoke or unpleasant odours.
- Cotton wick candles are often preferred due to their lower cost and increased longevity.
- Hemp wick candles are becoming increasingly popular because they produce less smoke than cotton wicks.
- Wood wick candles are usually made from cedar or pine and are considered environmentally friendly. Some people prefer wooden wicks because they tend to burn hotter than others.
3 - Choose the Most Eco-friendly wax for your candle
Fortunately, there are alternatives to paraffin wax candles. You can choose safer, healthier options such as beeswax candles, soybean wax candles, and palm wax candles.
- Beeswax candles are especially good because they produce very little smoke and no toxic fumes.
- Soybean wax candles are great too because they are biodegradable and won’t harm the environment. Palm wax candles are another option. Because they’re made from renewable resources, they help reduce global warming.
- A new eco-friendly alternative to classic waxes is rapeseed wax.
Rapeseed oil is a great alternative to petroleum-based products because it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. Rapeseed oil is made entirely from rapeseeds, which are grown without pesticide or herbicide use. They’re a renewable resource, meaning there’s no harm done to the environment when you use them. Rapeseed wax is often combined with other oils such as coconut oil, olive oil and palm kernel oil. These blends are commonly used in candles because they burn longer and provide a better scent.
4 - Go for a Clean Smell: non-toxic and chemicals-free scents
You’ll find lots of different scents in stores. If you want to ensure your candles are not scented with synthetic fragrances or chemicals, look for natural essential oils. Essential oils come from plants and trees. Candles made with natural essential oils are safe and effective ways to add scent to your home.
5 - RECYCLABLE CANDLES: CHOOSE THE RIGHT CONTAINER AND PACKAGING
The best tip to choose a candle that minimizes the long-term impact on our environment is to look for candles sold in reusable containers. Look for containers made out of glass, ceramic or aluminium.
Reusable containers are great for recycling. If you want to reuse your old candle jars, make sure they’re clean and dry. Wax melts at about 150 degrees Fahrenheit, so it shouldn’t take much heat to melt down the contents of a jar. Once melted, pour into moulds or onto baking sheets and let cool completely. Store your recycled wax in airtight containers.
When gifting a candle, keep an eye on the packaging it comes with and also ensure you use a sustainable way to wrap your gift.
Disclaimer: This article may contain Awin and Amazon affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you. Learn more here.
Shop Our favorite eco-friendly and sustainable candles brands
We have made it easier for you to shop for non-toxic and eco-friendly candles, here is our selection of the best brands available on the market today:
These candles are made with soy wax which is non-toxic, free of parabens, and safe for children, pets, and the environment. They come in three sizes (large, standard and mini) and ship directly from the manufacturer in sunny California, United States. Their best seller fragrance is teakwood and tobacco. This company is a small business, independently owned and operated since 2008.
The beautiful name of this brand was inspired by the founder’s two children Aria and Sanam (air and love). The company was founded by Rebecca, who decided to free her house from all possible chemicals and toxins after being diagnosed with breast cancer. You can read her story HERE.
They are all-natural and use a coconut wax blend with 100% unbleached cotton wide wicks and certified organic essential oils. There are about 11 versatile scented candles available for purchase.
Sanari candles are all hand-poured in reusable wine glasses or whiskey tumblers.
This means that once you have reached the end of the candle, you can repurpose the jar by simply pouring hot water, letting it sit for a minute, and using tweezers to remove the wick from the bottom. After a quick wash with soap, the containers are ready to be reused!
Hyggelight is a brand dedicated to creating products that make our world better – one candle at a time. Their mission is simple: use natural ingredients to produce high-quality products that are both healthy and environmentally conscious. Hyggelight believes in making a positive impact on people and the planet, starting with their soy wax “growing candles”.
In fact, all their non-toxic scented candles are poured into a variety of wonderfully decorated ceramic containers. As soon as the lead-free cotton wick is finished, you can clean the container and plant the seed paper label to grow non-GMO wildflowers.
This is truly a gift that keeps on giving!
Choose your favorite candle (or pot?) below or SHOP HYGGELIGHT CANDLES
Hemlock Park is a carbon-neutral company, and thanks to the partnership with “One Tree Planted: each order is carbon offset by planting trees in the most needed areas of the US and Canada.
Hemlock Park hand-poured candles are handcrafted in the USA with organic and sustainably sourced ingredients.
Vegan & Cruelty-free, Hemlock Park products are sold in over 1000 specialty stores worldwide, and they offer different collections of candles – so you can choose the one that is right for your special gift.
SHOP HEMLOCK PARK or find our favorites from each collection here below:
Final Words on Sustainable Non-Toxic Candles for your Perfect Gift
In conclusion, candles aren’t just useful for adding ambience to your home; they’re also a wonderful gift idea for almost everyone on your list. From birthdays to anniversaries, holidays, and graduations, there’s nothing quite like lighting a candle to create a warm atmosphere around you.
Candles are one of those things you just don’t think about when it comes to sustainability. So whether you want to send a thoughtful message to someone who has everything, or you’re looking for a unique gift for yourself, sustainable non-toxic candles are perfect for the job!
We hope this article helped you understand the unique benefits of eco-friendly candles, and discover the perfect gift for someone you love!
