Can candles be sustainable?

What would a birthday be without wishing on a candle flame? What would Hanukah or Advent look like without the methodical lighting of candles? Whether light in the dark, fragrance for the space you call home, or an intrinsic link to celebration, candles have certainly sustained themselves throughout history. But are candles themselves sustainable?

That’s a tougher question.

At NOTES®, we define sustainability as products that meet our own needs (and let’s be honest, our fragrance wants) without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The call for sustainable practices from consumers has ignited more environmentally conscience production and consumption, yet the candle industry has remained largely unchanged. The billion-dollar candle industry leaves behind an unnecessarily large environmental footprint, and whether it be wax or waste, has not yet earned a seat at the table when it comes to sustainability. But what if there was a more responsible way to candle?

Much of this industry's footprint is tied to single use candle vessels. An estimated 2 billion candles are sold in any given year, with an equal or greater number ending up in landfills. As a consumer, you can extend this lifespan by repurposing your candle vessel. For instance, turning it into a pot for a plant, a cocktail glass, or even a toothbrush holder. But personal accountability is not the same as sustainability. To be sustainable, a candle must actively be anti-waste. NOTES® patented technology works to combat this waste by engineering a multi-use vessel. Instead of disposing of the candle vessel after each use, the consumer can refill it with highly fragranced wax beads.

The majority of the remaining footprint is tied to the use of petroleum-based waxes. The most commonly used candle waxes contain Paraffin. Paraffin is derived from petroleum and harvested through the energy intensive process of de-waxing. Not only is petroleum a non-renewable resource, but the petroleum content in the wax also means it can produce air pollutants when burned. The cleanest candles remain free of Phthalates, Parabens, and Dyes and contain eco-friendly wax alternatives. At NOTES®, we adhere to these guidelines crafting our candle wax from 100% natural materials and a blend of three natural waxes: soy, rice bran, and beeswax. Natural blends like this mean that the wax can be grown and harvested, making it a non-exhaustive and farm friendly resource.

The remaining footprint created by the candle industry relates to safe transport. Glass containers are bulky, heavy, and breakable. Their transportation is typically over long distances and comes with a significant carbon emission impact. Therefore, protective packaging is required to safely transport containers to retailers and/or end consumers. Using minimal packaging or packaging that has been recycled helps mitigate these packaging impacts. However, while it’s good to utilize recyclable packaging materials, it’s far more sustainable to eliminate and/or minimize the need for it altogether. NOTES® achieves this through bagged wax beads rather than pre-fitted wax blocks in a vessel. These beads are packed in a biodegradable bag and shipped in recycled corrugated boxing. To further reduce packaging, we ship our initial candle vessel in a recyclable paperboard wrap that allows the consumer to see the glass vs a more traditional encapsulated paperboard. 

A candle with big fragrance and minimal footprint is not the industry standard. However, NOTES® Candle Refill System™ makes it easy to reuse vessels again and again for a more responsible way to candle. And that is sustainable.