Organic Soy & Vegetable Wax Candle. Isn't it pretty?
I love candles. A lit candle at my desk has a very calming effect on me. Suppose, for instance, I get a crappy email for whatever reason, all I have to do is look at my lit candle — day or night — and I’m like… “aahhhhh.” I also like to have one lit while I’m getting ready in the bathroom, even combined with the regular lighting. It’s a spa-girly thing. And, of course, candles are always nice for romance in any room. 
All it takes is a little theatrics to lend a touch of the exotic to everyday life. Let’s hear it for mood lighting, every day! … Right?
Well, turns out, maybe not every day. Here’s the thing… wait, back up a moment… I’m definitely not an expert in all things green (I’m learning more every day), but, on my journey toward living more sustainably, I’ve been wondering lately, “Are candles eco-friendly?” I mean, I frequently see black smoke coming from them, and what’s with those soot stains on the wall near where the candle was burning?! Breathing that can’t be good. Because candles were part of my daily ritual (as opposed to an occasional treat), I decided I needed to find out more about them. The last thing I wanted was to feel guilty for using candles — or worse, anxiety — when their very purpose for me is to create an atmosphere of relaxation.
Here’s the skinny: I’m at a candle crossroads.
Basically, it turns out that candles are not particularly eco-friendly, because of what can be released from them when they’re burned (carbon dioxide and multiple toxins). Crap. It’s not black and white though. Some candles are very bad for both the environment and your health, while other candles are not nearly as offensive. And, like most things, there are some candles that fall in between.
Let’s start with the pure evil candles: Paraffin wax candles with nasty wicks. These are the standard candles you find at most stores. These nasty muthers produce a number of by-products when they’re lit — hence the black smoke and soot stains if burned too close to a wall. As you might expect, the soot is not healthy to breathe. But it’s actually worse than you probably expected: The smoke from paraffin wax can contain up to 11 toxins, three of which are freaking carcinogenic!… formaldehyde, toluene and benzene. Paraffin wax candles are made from petroleum (derived from crude oil), a non-renewable resource.
And that’s just the wax. There is also the wick to watch out for. Some wicks are made with additives such as lead and zinc. You know, LEAD?! … the stuff we don’t let them put in paint because it’s poisonous? Yes, that lead. Unfortunately, even though it’s not supposed to be there, it can be because it’s not always easy to regulate this.
And, finally, there’s the packaging. Many candles come packaged in wrap that isn’t biodegradable, which just adds to our landfills. Granted, lots of things — most things — are packaged, so this isn’t a candle-specific gripe so much as a general gripe about unnecessary consumption. Little things like candle wrappers add up when you use a thing every day. So the more often I use candles or any other consumable, the more determined I am to source it from someplace that uses minimal and eco-friendly packaging.
Next up: the in-between candles: These are candles that are on the road to becoming environmentally friendly, but they could still use some help. For example, beeswax candles might sound like a great alternative to petroleum-based candles, but I don’t want to take anything from bees so that’s not an option for me.
And then there are soy wax candles, most of which are made from regular (conventional) soy. The good news is that soy candles are better for the environment (and your health) than paraffin; in the way that they burn; the bad news is that most of these products use GM (genetically modified) soy, which I avoid whenever possible. There is also the whole issue of using pesticides in growing non-organic soy and, frankly, I’m not into supporting Monsanto in any way, shape, or form.
Which brings me to what I deem are the best options for candles… “mostly good” candles: I write “mostly good” because in most cases, even the best candles are still not a truly eco-friendly option. But if you’re going to use candles, this is the way to go. I will point out that, yes, there are potentially cases where using candles could actually have a positive effect on the environment, such as using candles instead of electrical lighting (this depends on many factors however, such as the source of the electricity and amount needed — I don’t recommend doing surgery by candle light, haha!). Also, the cost of manufacturing and shipping the candles needs to be considered in the equation.
So what are the mostly good candles? These candles are made from healthier materials such as organic soy and vegetable products (there are some made from hemp, too) – YAY! They usually include a wick made from things such as organic cotton, hemp, etc. Some companies boast that their organic candles are 100% biodegradable. The candle you see pictured above is from Lumia (offering organic wax candles).
Other things to consider for eco-friendlier candles: I try to buy from companies that use organic or healthy essential oils to scent their candles and use packaging that can be recycled or reused. The nice thing about soy (and vegetable wax) candles is that the container they come in usually cleans easily with soap and water so you can reuse it.
So, what’s a Green Mommy to do? I’m sad to say, after all of my research, I’m not as stoked about using candles as I used to be. After weighing the pros and cons, I have decided to use them less. I have also been searching for a suitably mood-inducing replacement for them… something soothing, romantic, zen, and warm that would help me kick my daily candle habit. I came up with two ideas: crystal salt lamp or LED candles. I haven’t researched the eco-friendliness of these yet, or figured out if they rate better than candles. That’s my next project. Until then, I’ll enjoy the organic soy candles I have, but I’ll limit my burning of them to special occasions, and over time, they’ll play less of a role in my life.
UPDATE: {03/18/11} We now use both salt lamps and LED candles and love them both! They give the perfect lighting… soft, romantic, beautiful. I could go on and on. And, I love that I don’t have to worry if I fall asleep with them on. Salt lamps and LED candles ROCK!
What do you think?
