9 Sustainable Candles For Feel-Good Eco Friendly Flickers Image by Keap Candles #sustainablecandles #ecofriendlycandles #sustainablejungle
Image by Keap
9 Sustainable Candles For Feel-Good Eco Friendly Flickers Image by Sustainable Jungle #sustainablecandles #sustainablejungle
Image by Sustainable Jungle
9 Sustainable Candles For Feel-Good Eco Friendly Flickers Image by Siblings #sustainablecandles #ecofriendlycandles #sustainablejungle
Image by Siblings

9 Sustainable Candles For Feel-Good Eco Friendly FlickerS


“I have too many candles,” said no one ever—especially if they’re sustainable candles.

The global candle market industry is valued at $3.5 billion and growing. These are stressful times and what better way to melt away that stress than with a candlelit bath (and a glass of wine, of course)?

But candles can also have their stressors—synthetic scents, petroleum paraffin wax, and lead wicks, to name a few—sparking the hunt for organic eco friendly candles.

Like moths to the flame, we were instantly drawn to Keap’s sustainable scented candles with regenerative palm oil wax and zero waste packaging.

Siblings makes some of the best sustainable candles not just because they’re a Certified B Corp, but because they offer candle refills.

For vegan eco friendly candles, PF Candle Co. offers oh-so-many scents, all of which are made in the USA.

To learn about how we picked the most eco friendly candles, burn your way to the end of the wick by clicking here.

*This post contains affiliate links

1. SIBLINGS

The advantages of sustainable candles are many. They’re better for our homes, better for our families, better for our lungs, and better for our planet. Not to mention better for our nerves… and isn’t that what candles are all about? Image by Siblings #sustainablecandles #ecofriendlycandles #sustainablejungle
Image by Siblings

*Note: We are confirming policies with this brand.

Siblings’ Unique Sustainable Candles

Created to be a solution to petroleum-laden paraffin and often un-reused containers that have become synonymous with the candle industry, Siblings vows to “ship wax, not weight”.

Knowing that most people have an abundance of containers, they specialize in sustainable coconut oil candles without the container.

Talk about the most sustainable packaging for candles!

Instead, it comes in a compostable bag, which you’ll then use to fill your own container with the help of a microwave or pot of boiling water.

They do also sell vessels (in the rare case that you don’t have one) or in money-saving bundle packs.

Each of these unique sustainable candles feature a coconut blend wax that’s free of parabens, paraffin and phthalates and scented with non toxic, cruelty free fragrance and essential oils.

This yields a huge array of unique scent combos like Bergamot, White Rose, and Oakmoss.

The bag of wax comes complete with a lead-free cotton wick and wooden wick holder.

About Siblings

Siblings makes everything with the aim of reducing waste, including their long-burning candles.

They offset all emissions through projects that protect and restore forests, like REDD+ by Jari Pará in the Brazilian rainforest. 

They’ve also planted over 2000 trees with One Tree Planted via sustainable Black Friday/Cyber Monday tree planting campaigns.

Available: Siblings


2. P.F. CANDLE CO.

9 Sustainable Candles For Feel-Good Eco Friendly Flickers Image by Sustainable Jungle #sustainablecandles #sustainablejungle
Image by Sustainable Jungle

*Note: We are confirming policies with this brand.

P.F. Candle Co. Sustainable Candles USA

P.F. Candle Co.’s sustainable homemade candles are formulated with vegan soy wax that’s non-toxic, paraben-free, and never tested on animals.

Phthalate-free fragrance oils are used along with a cotton core wick. A range of fruity, floral, and musky scents are available, like Teakwood and Tobacco and Sweet Grapefruit.

The eco friendly soy candles are handmade in California with domestically grown soy and farmed using fair labor standards. Just think of these candles as aroma-fair-apy!

They come in brass-lidded amber glass apothecary jars wrapped with a kraft paper label. Attractive as they are, they’re excellent containers for decorative repurposing.

About P.F. Candle Co.

Started by husband and wife team Thomas and Kristen, P.F. Candle Co. was born with a mission to provide high-quality candles at an affordable price.

What started as a small operation in a studio apartment has grown to encompass more than 60 USA based employees.

As some of the best sustainable candles around, these affordable eco friendly candles are designed to outlive your typical candle counterparts.

They’re shipped sans plastic too.

Available: EarthHero


3. KEAP CANDLES

The advantages of sustainable candles are many. They’re better for our homes, better for our families, better for our lungs, and better for our planet. Not to mention better for our nerves… and isn’t that what candles are all about? Image by Keap Candles #sustainablecandles #ecofriendlycandles #sustainablejungle
Image by Keap Candles

*Note: These sustainable palm wax candles feature regenerative palm oil. While the wax is vegan, they use beeswax to adhere to the wick. We are confirming policies with this brand.

Keap Candles Sustainable Candles USA

“Refresh, renew, restore” with the luxurious nature-inspired scents of Keap Candles.

Designed by master perfumer Christophe Laudamiel, they offer core scents like Wood Cabin, Wild Figs, Waves, Greenmarket, and more, in addition to a monthly special and subscriber limited scents.

Each of these non GMO eco friendly candles comes packaged in glass cups that can be repurposed as drinking glasses.

Their eco friendly tea light candles are housed in small tin pots that have all kinds of reuse potential.

Their answer to the most sustainable wax for candles is regenerative palm wax, a blend of two organic fruit extracts developed in partnership with Natural Habitats.

Sourced from organic palms in Ecuador, this non GMO palm oil promotes regenerative practices and biodiversity, backed by a Fair for Life certification (the highest bar of Fair Trade).

With a high melting point, the sustainable palm wax candles won’t melt in transit, even during hot summer months.

To prevent waste, both the wax and wick are designed to burn entirely—and can safely do so since the wick is adhered with beeswax rather than glue.

About Keap Candles

Keap is a proud Certified B Corp that’s dedicated to transparency and improvement.

Because products are made and shipped straight from their studio in Kingston, NY they skip manufacturing expenses and keep their sustainable scented candles affordable.

They ship using mushroom packaging, recycled newspaper, and cardboard printed with soy ink. 

Since all labeling is done with PureLabels ASTM D6400 and EN 13432-certified biodegradable labels, all packaging except the glass itself is fully home compostable.

For those who don’t wish to reuse the glasses, they’re working on a future Returns Program.

Keap is also a member of Climate Collaborative.

Available: Keap Candles


4. WILDFERN CANDLES

The advantages of sustainable candles are many. They’re better for our homes, better for our families, better for our lungs, and better for our planet. Not to mention better for our nerves… and isn’t that what candles are all about? Image by Wildfern Candle Co #sustainablecandles #sustainablejungle
Image by Wildfern Candle Co

*Note: We are confirming policies with this brand.

WildFern Candles’ Sustainable Homemade Candles

WildFern candles have a range of signature all-soy candles infused with locally harvested botanicals and carefully picked gemstones.

Take for instance the Abundance and Prosperity candle. It’s infused with lemongrass essential oil and vanilla and orange blossoms and topped with a genuine natural citrine gemstone. 

The Anti-Depression candle is another that’s helpful for many, providing zen through lavender scents and the amethyst and quartz stones. 

Because the candles are made with locally-sourced flowers and organic botanicals, it’s recommended you don’t burn them all the way to the bottom of the tin and leave at least a centimeter of wax before discarding.

All WildFern vegan sustainable candles are made of eco-soy wax with a non toxic cotton wick. 

They come shipped in a recyclable box with starch packing peanuts and housed in an 8-oz tin or jar. 

About WildFern Candles

While UK based founder, Jacqueline, heads-up two very different companies, WildFern Candles and WildFern Jewelry, her commitment to ethical and eco-friendly products remains consistent. 

Everything she works with is handcrafted and produced in small batches.

The eco friendly homemade candles are poured and crafted with love to help us manifest our most meaningful intentions. 

Available: Etsy


5. HYGGELIGHT

The advantages of sustainable candles are many. They’re better for our homes, better for our families, better for our lungs, and better for our planet. Not to mention better for our nerves… and isn’t that what candles are all about? Image by Hyggelight #sustainablecandles #sustainablejungle
Image by Hyggelight

Hyggelight’s Sustainable Soy Wax Candles

Get ready for Hyggelight to illuminate your mind. When you buy one of their eco friendly soy wax candles, you’re getting a plant too.

That’s why their “growing candles” are the best of the best sustainable candles. 

The beautiful ceramic containers are filled with 100% soy wax and essential oils (no additives, artificial smells, colorants, or phthalates).

Once the lead-free cotton wick is burned, you’ll find a seed paper label to plant non-GMO wildflowers at the bottom.

The container can be reused as recycled plant pots by simply adding soil and the seed paper. Just be sure to recycle the aluminum wick tab.

About Hyggelight

Hyggelight (pronounced Hoo-Ga-Lite) is inspired by the Danish concept Hygge, meaning a feeling of coziness and comfort. Combine that with sustainability and you’ve got Hyggelight.

The family-owned company wanted to take one commonly used household item and give it a second life.

Their “growing candles” are zero waste and hand-poured in small batches at their studio in Ohio, USA. The ceramic plant pots are handmade, too.

These sustainable soy candles are shipped plastic-free in a compostable cardboard box.

Available: EarthHero


6. BEESOM

The advantages of sustainable candles are many. They’re better for our homes, better for our families, better for our lungs, and better for our planet. Not to mention better for our nerves… and isn’t that what candles are all about? Image by beEsom #sustainablecandles #sustainablejungle
Image by beEsom

*Note: We are confirming policies with this brand.

beEsom’s Sustainable Beeswax Candles

beEsom sells ritual/altar/spell/home decor candles that are made from 100% pure organic beeswax sourced locally in Georgia.

Some of these candles are unscented, but nonetheless carry a warm and sweet honey smell.

The Love Blessing candle is made with beeswax, cinnamon basil leaves, and ground cinnamon. Other Blessing candles include prosperity (chocolate mint leaves), protection (mugwort and cinnamon), and healing (star anise and allspice). 

Sustainable beeswax candles are also drip-less and produce minimal smoke and soot. 

Other (non-blessing) eco friendly scented candles are available, too, as are melts, sphere candles, pillar candles, tealights, jar candles, and votives.

Her scented candles include flavors like Apple Maple Bourbon, Lemon Eucalyptus, and Ceylon Cinnamon.  

About beEsom

beEsom is owned and operated by Georgia-based Barbara who designs and hand-makes everything. She initially started making candles to give as gifts and as a hobby to explore Wiccan candle magic. 

A besom is a flight tool used by Wiccans to symbolically clear space and sweep in a new beginning.

Magic aside, the sustainable beeswax candles sold by this Etsy shop are directly connected to Mother Earth and support a happy environment, healthy bees, and her local economy. 

Available: Etsy


7. ITEMERIE

The advantages of sustainable candles are many. They’re better for our homes, better for our families, better for our lungs, and better for our planet. Not to mention better for our nerves… and isn’t that what candles are all about? Image by Itemerie #sustainablecandles #sustainablejungle
Image by Itemerie

*Note: We are confirming policies with this brand.

Itemerie’s Eco Friendly Candles USA

Hand poured and plant-based—two things you can be certain of with Itemerie’s eco friendly soy candle selection. 

Their candles are made with botanical-based ingredients and are never tested on animals.

They use American-grown soy, craft the candles in New York, and use locally sourced materials for the lid and wick. 

The sustainable candles come in a few different scents: Southampton, Baltic, Fig Tree, Nag Champa, and Sandalwood.

About Itemerie

Sometimes, finding products that are both quality and ethically-made means sacrificing one for the other—but not with Itemerie. 

Everything is crafted by local artisans and each item comes with a Itemerie badge ensuring that what you see is what you get: recycled or compostable materials, vegan products, made in North America, etc. 

100% of what they sell is ethically made and non-toxic.

Itemerie offers customers the opportunity to offset shipping emissions by planting a tree. If your purchase qualifies for free shipping, you will automatically have a tree planted.

They use recycled packaging, down to the recycled/compostable tape.

Available: Itemerie


8. SLOW NORTH

The advantages of sustainable candles are many. They’re better for our homes, better for our families, better for our lungs, and better for our planet. Not to mention better for our nerves… and isn’t that what candles are all about? Image by Slow North #sustainablecandles #sustainablejungle
Image by Slow North

Slow North’s Sustainable Soy Wax Candles

Slow North is the equivalent of slow fashion—but for candles.

Their eco friendly wax for candles combined soy wax with 100% essential oil fragrances and cotton wicks primed with vegetable wax.

The candles are free of palm oil, artificial dyes, and synthetic ingredients. 

The scents are formulated with botanical ingredients and plant essences and include Grapefruit + Spearmint, Eucalyptus + Lavender, Geranium + Rose, Lavender + Cedar, Lemongrass + Tangerine, and more. 

The soy candles come in an American-made frosted glass tumbler, which is topped with a sustainably-sourced and fire-branded cork lid. Smaller travel tins are also available. 

About Slow North

Slow North is all about creating intentionally crafted, all-natural, and small-batch home goods, beauty, wellness, and paper goods.

When founders Michelle and Jon Simmons found out they were pregnant, they set out to detox their house of toxic, synthetic chemicals. 

They only use recycled, recyclable, and biodegradable packing materials and donate their textile remnants to the local Textile Recycling Center to be transformed into new products. 

Slow North gives back by donating a portion of sales from certain products to various organizations like Kiva, which provides micro-loans to budding entrepreneurs from underserved communities.

Available: Slow North


9. CANDLESSENTIALS

The advantages of sustainable candles are many. They’re better for our homes, better for our families, better for our lungs, and better for our planet. Not to mention better for our nerves… and isn’t that what candles are all about? Image by Candlessentials #sustainablecandles #sustainablejungle
Image by Candlessentials

Candlessentials’ Non GMO Sustainable Candles

Candlessentials create eco friendly coconut oil candles that come in plantable packaging.

The candles are housed in a handmade, 100% recycled, and biodegradable box embedded with non-GMO wildflower seeds. 

The hand-poured candles are produced in small batches. Unlike the rest on this list, they are sustainable coconut oil candles and are free of animal by-products. 

The coconut wax is combined with essential oils yielding an arrry of scents like Bold Awakening (citrus, spicy, earthy) and Coco + Nut (earthy and sweet).

Everything is non toxic, ethically sourced, and palm oil free. 

About Candlessentials

This LA-based brand has a vision to “ignite moments of reflections in an intentional, loving, and compassionate way each time you light your Candlessentials candle.

Female founder Tashah Johnson accomplishes this by filling our spaces with delightful scents from candles that are handmade with love, sustainability, and giving back in mind.

10% of annual sales are donated to Her Success Inc., an organization dedicated to supporting underserved women.

Available: Candlessentials


WHY CHOOSE ECO FRIENDLY CANDLES?

Candles are not the same as sustainable lights (and most other products that enter our homes).

Like perfumes, the source of their aromas can be concealed so as to protect “trade secrets”. If they are shared, they’re normally lumped into the ambiguous category of “fragrance.”

Fragrance (parfum) comes from more than 3,000 different chemicals as per the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) Transparency List — each with its own potential to be an irritant that triggers asthma, migraines, allergies, or worse.

See here for those with warning labels (including skull symbols!) in different countries.

Fragrance is also normally combined with phthalates (an endocrine disruptor) to carry the aroma effectively.  

While generally not added to the candles themselves, hazardous pollutants can be released while the candle is burning—which can have a snowball effect that leads to chemical sensitivity.

Limonene, for example, is used to produce a citrus-y scent. When heated, it can release formaldehyde. Maybe it’s just us, but Summer Lemon Formaldehyde isn’t something we want on our eco friendly coffee table… 

Then we get to the wax, the foundation of the candle. 

If you’re wondering, “Are candles sustainable?” consider most candle wax consists of paraffin wax, a petroleum derivative.

It has been shown to give off toluene and benzene (known carcinogens) when burned. This can lead to lung, brain, and central nervous system damage, among other health complications. 

There’s often lead in the wick and particulate matter (soot) that may cause lung cancer or lung disease.

That’s just a flicker of all the dangerous organic chemicals released while you’re singing “Happy Birthday.”

Fortunately, it’s not all bad news. Thanks to environmentally friendly candle brands like these, we can brighten a room or enjoy a candlelit dinner or bath without a worry. 


HOW WE CHOSE THE MOST SUSTAINABLE CANDLES

What makes a candle smell good to us, but doesn’t make our planet plug her nose? Or rather, what are the most sustainable candles?

We put on our conscious consumer caps and apply the same criteria we use for all beauty and personal care products. 

Here’s what we’re looking for when it comes to the most eco friendly candles: 

  • Natural & organic ingredients (read more just below this list for specifics on sustainable candle ingredients)
  • Vegan (or ethically-sourced animal products)
  • Cruelty-free
  • Palm oil free
  • Ethical ingredient sourcing policies
  • Thoughtful packaging: The best sustainable packaging for candles is zero waste, but should be recyclable at the very least.
The Most Sustainable Wax For Candles

Beeswax: 

Are beeswax candles sustainable?

They can be. When responsibly sourced, beeswax is a natural and regenerative ingredient that supports one of our favorite little pollinators and the beekeepers who care for them. 

Do be sure to check that the beeswax is sourced from someone who truly cares—local is better, too. You don’t want a candle that’s been made with beeswax from several countries all around the globe. 

Also, be(e) careful of tricky marketing with beeswax candles, because they only have to be 51% beeswax to be labeled as a beeswax candle, meaning that you could still be getting petroleum or artificial dyes.

Soy: 

For vegans, sustainable soy candles are the solution.

Soy is a renewable resource. That makes it a much better alternative for candles than paraffin wax, which is a petroleum by-product that comes from sludge waste during the crude oil refining process (ew).  

Natural soy doesn’t emit toxic chemicals, which means a clean burn and no petrol carbon soot (AKA no black marks on your walls and ceiling). 

As an added bonus, candles made from soy wax burn much slower than paraffin candles. You get an additional 30 to 50% longer burn time with eco friendly candles made from soy!

Still, the soy wax used in candles is a by-product of the soybean industry, which carries with it some problems like deforestation and heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides.

If choosing soy, look for organic, locally-farmed, and non GMO eco friendly candles.

Coconut Wax: 

Coconut wax, while not as popular as the other two, has some special benefits. It burns even slower than soy wax and is better at holding scents. And on its own, coconut wax has a lovely scent! 

Full disclaimer: coconut wax is typically blended with other harder waxes—normally vegetable (soy). Look for brands that let you know exactly what they’re using. Even better, look for brands using organic coconut wax or sustainably harvested coconut wax. 

Cotton Wick: 

A lot of the candles on the market today bear wicks with a lead core—which releases lead into the air inside your home

Cotton wicks are far healthier, as are those that are braided and primed in vegetable wax. 

No scent (regardless how intoxicating) is worth the risk of lead poisoning.  

Scents: 

Speaking of scents, avoid those with “fragrance” if you can and only opt for candle brands who assure the quality and non-toxicity of the undisclosed ingredients. Knowing what you’re burning is always better.

Essential oils (ideally cold-pressed, organic ones) are not only all-natural and smell fantastic, but some of them may have health benefits.

If anything can make eco friendly vanilla candles smell even better, it’s the knowledge they’re not harming you.


FINAL THOUGHTS ON NON TOXIC SUSTAINABLE CANDLES

So, are candles environmentally sustainable?

Generally, no. If you’re burning candles on the regular, it’s about as healthy as driving your car. 

On the other hand, the advantages of eco friendly candles are many. They’re better for our homes, better for our families, better for our lungs, and better for our planet.

Not to mention better for our nerves… and isn’t that what candles are all about?

If you have any candle lovers in your life, enlighten them on a safer way to self-care by sharing this list of sustainable candle brands.

Or, if you think the answer to the question, “Are beeswax candles sustainable?” is no, have a candlelit read of our list of vegan candles.


The advantages of sustainable candles are many. They’re better for our homes, better for our families, better for our lungs, and better for our planet. Not to mention better for our nerves… and isn’t that what candles are all about? Image by Keap Candles #sustainablecandles #ecofriendlycandles #sustainablejungle

1 thought on “9 Sustainable Candles For Feel-Good Eco Friendly Flickers”

  1. Would love to throw our name out there for your consideration! Just launched on Earth Day 2021: Eco Scentsations! Created a candle line that as eco-friendly and as healthy as we could with a humanitarian aspect – part of our proceeds support Operation Underground Railroad which fights childhood slavery/trafficking. Would love people’s thoughts on what we have created! <3 (www.eco-scentsations.com)

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