26 September 2024
Level up your household linen: choose more sustainable bedding, bath and kitchen textiles
- COSH! Member Publicity
- Lifestyle
As the long, dark nights of autumn and winter begin to draw in, and a chilly air softly knocks on our front doors, candles cast their warmth and ambience, turning our homes into cosy sanctuaries of comfort and glow. However their comforting glow may be, it’s worth asking: how environmentally friendly are they? Let’s deep-dive into the vast array of candles – particularly soy, beeswax, and rapeseed varieties – and discover which ingredients to avoid for a more sustainable glow. Read on to discover brands that craft atmospheric, eco-conscious candles.
Candles to Steer Clear Of
Paraffin Wax Candles
Cheap and ubiquitous, paraffin remains a common choice for candle-making. Yet, this by-product of crude oil is far from eco-friendly. Burning paraffin releases harmful greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and polluting the air in your home – with potential long-term health impacts.
Many well-known brands, including Rituals and Hema, incorporate paraffin in their candles. This means burning fossil fuels right in your living room! Adding to the concern, paraffin’s transportation by sea often leads to ocean pollution, seriously harming marine life and birds, which often mistake the white clumps as food sources.
Stearin Wax Candles
Previously derived from animal fat, most modern stearin candles now contain palm oil. While technically natural, their sustainability is questionable. Palm oil production is notorious for causing deforestation, with many rainforests falling victim to vast palm oil plantations.
Even with an RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certificate indicating sustainable production, concerns of corruption and environmental harm linger. At COSH!, we recommend avoiding both paraffin and stearin candles. But what are the eco-friendlier options?
Eco-Friendly Candle Alternatives
Beeswax Candles
Beeswax candles, while not vegan, are advocates for bee conservation. Harvested from old honeycombs, this natural wax supports organic beekeeping – which is crucial for maintaining bee populations and biodiversity. Brands like Ecodis, sold by Kudzu in Bruges, create beeswax candles in Western Europe, focusing on minimal energy and material use. Remember, actual beeswax candles contain no additives.
Soy Wax Candles
Soy candles, typically burning twice as long as traditional candles, are crafted from soybean oil. Choosing those made from organic soy is vital to avoid harmful agricultural chemicals. However, consider their carbon footprint, as most soy is imported from North America. Also, watch for additives like palm oil or paraffin – opt for candles labelled 100% soy wax.
Discover the essence of warmth and comfort at places like HOST in Berchem, Duka Moodstore in Bruges, Conscious Café & Shop in Amsterdam, and Up To Do Good at Schiphol Airport, where the enchanting Brandt brand candles await you. Crafted with 100% soy wax, these Dutch-made candles started their journey in 2016 under the creative eye of founder Giselle Habraken in New York. Now handcrafted in Utrecht, these candles come infused with irresistible natural fragrances, emitting a warm and cosy aura perfect for any chilly winter day.
Explore Kudzu in Bruges for its extensive range of 100% organic soy wax candles, including various delightful scents, for an even broader selection. Venture to Clothilde in Ghent and Aalst, Atelier Twee and Fonetik in Bruges, Kalani online, and Kiez in Antwerp for various soy wax candle options.
Elevate your ambience with original, scented candles from The Soul Store in Oostkamp. Made from pure soy wax in Spain, Scandle’s candles are unique for their lack of synthetic fragrances. They go a step further, pairing each candle with a bespoke Spotify playlist, curating an immersive, atmospheric experience.
In Tilburg, Snuist, a brand and a shop, offers its own soy wax candles. Snuist stands apart as a creative care studio, empowering young adults to find their way back into the workforce with enriching daytime activities. Here, they craft vibrant candles and charming decorative items like candle holders, vases, and bowls.
Rapeseed Wax Candles
Derived from the rapeseed plant, rapeseed wax easily incorporates safe and natural dyes. Prioritising environmentally friendly and local rapeseed production is key. Brands like Skandinavisk and Very Goods Studio showcase stunning rapeseed wax candles at Moose in the City in Antwerp and Goûts et Couleurs in Bruges. The organic rapeseed wax for these beautiful candles is primarily produced in the UK and other European countries.
Discover Very Goods Studio (formerly The Very Good Candle Company)’s magnificently scented rapeseed wax candles. Available at De Groene Passage in Rotterdam, HOST in Berchem or in Amsterdam at The Maker Store, The Plastic Free Co and Het Faire Oosten.
Certified Palm Wax Candles
While palm oil presents a somewhat greener alternative to paraffin, it doesn’t quite match the sustainability credentials of beeswax or rapeseed. Its cultivation, limited to just a handful of locations throughout the globe, requires long-distance transportation, adding to its environmental footprint. Moreover, palm oil cultivation carries significant concerns, including deforestation and various ethical dilemmas (as highlighted by Citizen Sustainable). Opting for candles made from certified palm wax can help mitigate some of these pressing issues, offering a more responsible choice for eco-conscious consumers.
Original Home offers a line of vibrant, fairtrade candles, certified by the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) and made from RSPO-certified palm kernel wax. These hand-poured candles are the product of a small, women-run factory in East Java, Indonesia. By empowering women with candle-making skills, the brand provides a secure working environment and fair pay. Celebrating ethical and vegan standards, these candles are available at HIT-IN.TV in Berlin and Moose in the City in Antwerp, providing both a conscious and cosy experience.
Scented Candles
While scented candles can seem irresistible, some can be an ecological nightmare. Numerous lifestyle brands incorporate synthetic fragrances in their candles, which may include harmful chemicals. It’s crucial to avoid candles with phthalates or parabens and to opt for those scented naturally. The good news is that various health-friendly, sweet-smelling candles are available to enhance the natural cosiness of your home.
For those seeking worry-free options that don’t compromise on aroma or health, stores like HOST in Berchem, Kudzu in Bruges, Kalani online, ecocandle in Bruges, Moose in the City in Antwerp, Atelier Twee in Bruges, and Duka Moodstore in Bruges offer an array of beautifully scented, eco-conscious candles. These options ensure that indulging in their comforting glow and fragrance doesn’t come at an environmental cost.
Circular Candles
An Dumon at ecocandle passionately champions a deeper, more sustainable connection with candles. Her workshops for all ages teach the art of recycling old candles and introduce eco-friendly paraffin alternatives like soy, beeswax, and rapeseed wax. This interactive learning changes our perspective on everyday objects like candles.
Ecocandle takes sustainability up a notch by inviting customers and workshop participants to exchange candle scraps for discounts. Their candles are uniquely stylish and wallet-friendly, poured into reclaimed tins and thrifted glass or ceramic containers.
Looking for something special? Ecocandle’s custom orders for events like weddings or anniversaries add a uniquely personal and memorable touch. Contact An from EcoCandle for a customised quote.
Let this Christmas and the upcoming winter season be lit with the warmth, joy, and sustainability these sustainable candle options bring. Embrace the season with an atmospheric light that cares for our planet.
