The candle is lit. I open my books. This is the start of my evening ritual: after I have returned from a day of classes, or a day with friends and I have had my ‘five minutes to myself’. The second I see the first flicker of the flame, all I can think of is my work for that moment: an important email, an essay – even this. Candles are a symbol of warmth and comfort, a winter staple and a timeless decoration. Soothing you through self-care and celebrating with you during festivals, candles are beautiful. Yet beyond their scent lies the complicated impacts of candles on our health and environment.

The Glowing Cost of Ambience

Candles can provide us with a beautiful and fragrant space to perform our routines, but their glow comes with hidden costs. Certain types of candles, especially those made with paraffin wax, release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and soot into our spaces, which can worsen indoor air quality and irritate our lungs. If you blow your candles outside, these VOCs can settle onto surfaces and be transported through rainfall and runoff into nearby bodies of water – which can harm aquatic life and bioaccumulate within the food chain – impacting human health.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop at the flame. Candle waste, such as wax residue, dyes, synthetic fragrances and packaging can all impact our environment as many of the materials used aren’t recyclable. The production process is also complicated: paraffin wax is a petroleum by-product; soy and palm wax, which are viewed as greener alternatives, can drive deforestation and biodiversity loss if unsustainably sourced.

They say that the devil is in the details, and this is no different for your candles; the type of wick used by the manufacturer can also contribute to emissions and waste. When browsing for your candles, it can often be easy to overlook these issues – however, with a few changes, your cosy ritual can continue whilst you look out for the planet.

Wax Wisdom: Shopping for a Cleaner Burn and Responsible Candle Habits

Let’s explore the things that you can do to minimise the risk of indoor air pollution in your home, how to select more sustainable candles and how to improve the longevity of your candles!

• Making sustainable choices starts at the shop (after using all of your current supply, of course) Choose candles made from natural waxes, such as beeswax, soy or coconut. These waxes ensure a cleaner burn and are more sustainable than paraffin wax! Look for candles made with non-GMO, organic and sustainably farmed ingredients, helping to reduce harm to ecosystems and supports farmers.

• Choose non-toxic fragrances like essential oils and plant-based scents, which are better for your lungs and the environment.

• Packaging is important: look for minimalist, recyclable or reusable vessels such as glass jars and metal tins. Some brands go the extra mile and offer refill options. Packaging labels printed with soy-based ink with compostable labels or adhesives also allows you to give the vessels a second life once you are done with them, perhaps as a plant pot or new space to put your bits and bobs like screws or hair clips! Avoid candles that have excessive decorative elements and are wrapped in lots of plastic, which will most likely end up in the landfill.

• Support transparent brands. If a brand is loud and proud about their manufacturing practices, this is a green flag. Try to find a brand that also has environmental commitments and seeks to educate customers on their practices and why they are important!

• Before each use, trim the wick to ¼ of an inch. This will prevent large flames which can lead to uneven burning and soot build up, helping to provide a cleaner burn and extend the lifespan of your candle. Trimming the wick will also allow the candle to be more fragrant, therefore more enjoyable for longer!

• When you’re all done with your candle, use a snuffer or lid instead of blowing it out – this reduces the smoke and helps preserve indoor air quality.

Greener Ways to Set the Mood

Candles may be your go-to for ambiance, but there are many low-impact alternatives that can create a similar atmosphere in terms of appearance and scent. Whether you’re winding down for the night or setting the scene for a reading session, these options will allow you to enjoy the glow or scent and cost the environment less.

• Essential oil diffusers come in reed form or electric form and release scents without the need for a candle. Reed diffusers are lovely to have in the background and are low energy, whilst electric ones provide you with an atmospheric mist – be careful of the scents you opt for as even some natural scents, like tea tree, can be harmful to household animals.

• Wax melts with electric warmers are another safe, soot-free option for a comforting scent without the flame – choose natural wax and clean fragrances for an even better experience.

• For a gentle glow, Himalayan salt lamps offer beautiful lighting!

• Herbal sachets, potpourri and essential oil room sprays are amazing for a quick room refresh, especially after cleaning!

• Natural incense made from herbs and wood resins can be a mindful choice if used sparingly and in well-ventilated spaces due to the smoke it produces!

Burning Brightly into the Future

Candles are a symbol of warmth, comfort and often celebration, and how we use them matters! Choosing natural wax, clean scents or an alternative allows us to continue our practices and hobbies and protect our health and the environment. Light your candle, start your evening rituals with an ethically sourced candle and continue making sustainable swaps so that your passion and love for our planet can burn just as brightly as the flame beside you.

By Felicity Lindo, SGO Projects Officer