We all know that burning a candle is a great way to relax and bring a calming ambiance into your home. Not only do they emit a soothing, natural light, they also fill your space with an amazing scent.
But if you’re not careful about what type of candle you buy, you may be releasing harmful chemicals into the air.
With the vast amount of pollution in the environment, we don’t need to be bringing it into our homes as well, or adding to the amount of waste building up in landfills. One way to help is by being more conscious of the types of candles we purchase. In this article, we will explore the best natural candles, reusable candles, and zero waste candles on the market.
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Are Candles Eco-Friendly?
Today, the majority of traditional candles are made from paraffin wax. Paraffin is wax made from petroleum, coal, or shale oil, byproducts of gasoline — a fossil fuel. This crude-oil by-product is cheaper to produce and more easily available, but the collection process causes pollution of natural habitats and resources.
Not only is it unsustainably sourced, but Paraffin wax also emits emitted toxic chemicals like toluene and benzene into your home, which can aggravate asthma and allergies. While nowadays many candles use cotton wicks, there are still some on the market that use lead-core wicks, which further adds to your indoor air pollution.
They are often packaged in materials like cellophane and other non-recyclable or reusable plastics, adding another less-than-friendly element to their carbon footprint.
So What’s The Alternative?
Thankfully, more and more brands are developing organic non-toxic candles that are made from natural wax.
Materials like beeswax, soy wax, and coconut wax are natural alternatives that are not only better for the planet, but they are natural ingredients, doing away with the harmful chemicals of traditional candles.
Natural candles have a higher melting point, giving them longer burn times and allowing you to enjoy the wonderful aroma even longer!
Look for eco-conscious brands that even go the extra step to package their candles in containers like glass and tin, that are recyclable and reusable.
Best Non-Toxic & Zero Waste Candles
After researching what it takes to make the best waste-free candles, we found some of the best non-toxic candles good for you and the planet.
PUBLIC GOODS
Public Goods offers high-quality affordable eco-friendly candles that are good for your health and your home.
Public Goods makes their candles in a variety of sizes, so you can choose the option that best suits your space. Their larger 12.3oz candle has three wicks, while the 3.5oz size is ideal for smaller rooms like your bathroom.
They produce some of the best natural candles, made with soy wax, 100% cotton wicks, and scented with essential oils. You won’t find any lead, dyes, BPA, or phthalates in these eco candles!
Once you’ve burned through your candle, use the cute glass and wood container in your kitchen or bathroom!
KOBO
Kobo is a brand committed to crafting the best non-toxic candles with naturally occurring materials.
Made from soybean wax, fragranced with high-grade oils, and packaged in a glass jar, their zero waste candles come in a wide range of scents. This Wild Tomato Vine candle is a must for any green-thumbed friend, and the candle packaging has hidden tomato seeds that will grow once it’s planted!
Kobo is committed to sustainability, an ethos that extends past their candle production. They support marginalized communicates and give back to multiple non-profits.
FREY CANDLES
These vegan candles from Frey come in a variety of swoon-inducing scents, such as sandalwood, bergamot & clove, or jasmine, rose & white cedar. Made with a proprietary blend of coconut and soy wax, it will burn for over 50 hours!
Packaged in a beautiful reusable cup, these eco-friendly candles also make a fabulous gift.
Frey is a B Corp certified company, and for every purchase, they’ll plant a tree so you know your order is making a difference.
BROOKLYN CANDLE STUDIO
Brooklyn Candle Studio has some of the best natural candles that are sustainably packaged and free from nasties.
These affordable eco-friendly candles are made in Brooklyn, New York (as the name would suggest!). They use 100% soy wax, with lead-free cotton wicks.
Each candle is infused with essential oils and wicked, poured, and labeled by their in-house team of artisans.
They come in a reusable and recyclable glass jar with a metal lid, and are packaged in a recyclable paper box.
BIRTH MONTH CANDLES
For something a little different, or those who are indecisive about scents, these Birth Month Candles are just the thing!
Simply choose the candle that aligns with your, or a friend’s birth month, and you’ll receive a custom scent created just for you.
These waste-free candles are handmade in New York, made from soy wax, and feature a cotton wick. They come in a glass that works perfectly in your kitchen when you’re done burning.
MAUDE
Manufactured in New York, Maude’s hand-poured candles are made of natural jojoba and soybean oils that can be used on your skin once extinguished. Talk about a great way to make candles zero waste!
These reusable candles have 100% cotton, lead-free wicks, and are packaged in recyclable glass jars.
Choose from deliciously scented options, or if you’re only after the massage oil, there’s an unscented candle too.
HYGGELIGHT GROWING CANDLE
We love finding reusable candles but what about reusable packaging? Ever wondered what you can do with your candle when the wax is gone? Glass jars and ceramic cups are great, but Hyggelight take it to the next level.
These no waste candles come in beautiful handmade ceramic pots, and even come with free seed paper to grow in them. How cool is that! It’s like the gift that keeps on giving.
The candles are made in small batches, are vegan and cruelty-free, and made with 100% soy wax, with a lead-free cotton wick.
PF CANDLE CO
P.F. Candle Co is a woman-owned small business based in LA. Their entire range of home fragrances is vegan, cruelty-free, and phthalate-free.
Their candles come in a wide range of unique scents, and feature favorites such as Black Fig, Amber & Moss, and Teakwood & Tobacco. They’re all made from soy wax, and feature cotton core wicks.
You can choose from three different sizes to suit your needs. And they all come in a handy glass reusable glass jar with a screw-top lid.
HIVE TO HOME
Hive to Home clean-burning candles are crafted from locally sourced beeswax, coconut oil, and phthalate-free fragrances.
While their scent names are a little unique, each has a wonderful fragrance, and there’s something for everyone. Try Tea Drinker which features spiced honey, vanilla bean, and chai. Or maybe Coffee Drinker is more your style – this one features espresso, caramel & cocoa.
Candles come in a range of sizes, with the two smaller being packed in a glass jar with a screw-top lid, and the larger size comes in a refillable glass jar. Oh, and did we mention the cute slogans printed on the labels?! Choose one that suits you or a friend.
UNITED BY BLUE
From the creators of one of our favorite ethical brands, come these beautiful reusable candles in ceramic pots.
United by Blue is a certified B Corp, and their range of eco-friendly candles reflect this commitment to sustainability.
Made from soy wax, the candles are available in 14oz or 18oz sizes, and in a variety of delicious scents.
Once done with the candle, you can use the ceramic pot around your home however you see fit. The glazes used are lead-free and food-safe.
NIGHTSHIFT WAX CO
The Nightshirt Wax Co creates small batches of organic non toxic candles for your home that are beautifully housed in minimalistic glass pots with metal lids.
Made from locally sourced (US-grown) organic soy wax and premium-grade organic fragrances. They also feature a lead-free natural braided cotton wick.
These 9oz candles have a long burn time of 72-80 hours, and come in a range of heavenly scents.
HOMESICK CANDLES
With the simple goal of bringing joy into your home, Homesick Candles created their fun range of soy wax candles.
Cruelty-free, non-toxic, and long-lasting, these affordable eco-friendly candles are housed in a simple clear glass jar that’s reusable and recyclable.
But the thing that’ll win you over is the range of divine fragrances available. With everything from Hawaii (pineapple, coconut, vanilla & musk), to New York City (bergamont, lemon, grapefruit, musk, and oakmoss) available, you’re truly spoiled for choice!
GOODLIGHT CANDLES
Infused with pure botanical and essential oils derived from plants, Goodlight candles are perfect for a sacred experience.
Goodlight produces beautiful, votive candles made from sustainable palm wax and a 100% pure cotton wick, to give you a nice, long, clean burn. They’re a fully plastic-free company, and they give back by teaming up with Wild Asia to support sustainable palm oil farming.
Goodlight gives you the option to shop by scent, and all are made with no synthetic or artificial fragrances, chemicals, or lead.
FLAMINGO ESTATE
Another sustainable brand that gives back by planting one tree for every order, Flamingo Estate creates a curated selection of earthy scented candles.
Made with 100% vegetable wax and a cotton wick, these candles have a 60h burn time and are contained in fully recyclable and reusable glass jars.
If the stress-relieving scents aren’t enough, you can also feel good about supporting a 1% for the Planet member, and a company that supports farms using sustainable organic methods of regenerative farming.
GOOD CLEAN LOVE
Organic, non toxic candles with no additives or artificial fragrances make Good Clean Love’s eco-friendly blend the perfect handmade candle.
They are cruelty-free and vegan, and handmade in the USA using non-GMO oils such as soy oil, apricot, kernel oil, organic jojoba oil, organic coconut oil, and other essential oils. Once melted, you can use this candle as a relaxing massage oil!
Choose the petite 2oz tins, or go for the larger 12oz glass candle with two wicks – the choice is yours!
SLOW MADE
Slow Made cares as much about their products as they do for the planet. Made in small batches in their Chicago studio, their candles are crafted consciously.
They give back by ensuring a tree is planted for every order, and they use carbon-neutral shipping to post out your goodies.
Their nature-inspired candles are infused with essential oils with a lead and zinc free 100% cotton wick, in our opinion, these are some of the best no waste candles on the market.
Candles are a luxury that can improve our mood and help us enjoy our surroundings. Unfortunately, many are made with toxic ingredients that can be harmful to our health and the environment.
Eco-friendly and zero waste candles that are safe for you and the planet are great alternatives to traditional candles.