Humans have used candles as a light source since as early as the 10th Century,6 but only recently have we started to consider the carbon footprint of candles (beeswax).
While their light-emitting abilities still come in handy during power outages, today’s candles are mostly used as accent lighting or aromatherapy.
But everything has a carbon footprint, so many people wonder about the impact candle manufacturing and usage can have on the environment.
When evaluating the environmental impact of candles, you must consider every stage of the product life cycle. Sourcing materials, manufacturing candles, packaging and shipping, and burning candles all contribute to the product’s carbon footprint.
Because most candle manufacturers don’t publish data about carbon emissions, figuring out how to calculate carbon footprint manually can be a challenge. However, by identifying the activities within the product life cycle that contribute to climate change, the footprint of a product can be measured.
So are candles bad for the environment? Are beeswax candles better than other types?
This complete guide explains those answers.
Beeswax for Candle Making (How Candles Are Made)
Candles offer many benefits, they look great, they smell great, and they can add a nice ambiance to any room. But how often do you stop and think about where candles come from?
For this analysis, we’re primarily going to focus on the product life cycle of beeswax candles. The beeswax used to construct beeswax candles comes from worker bees.
There are many steps involved in the cradle-to-grave life cycle of a beeswax candle. In order to understand the carbon footprint of candles (beeswax), you have to understand the product journey.1
- Beekeeping: To produce wax in bulk, bees are raised in large hives or bee farms. Throughout the year, worker bees secrete wax after they feed on royal jelly.
Over time, the bee scrapes off the wax into small pieces. This wax is used to help construct the hive.1 - Sourcing Beeswax: The wax is usually removed from the hive during honey extraction. It is most often collected by melting the honeycombs (using a variety of heat sources), but is also occasionally done by chemical extraction.1
- Processing the Wax: White honeycombs are often separated from darker honeycombs to create different qualities of wax. After the wax is melted, it’s cooled, dried, and then stored in metal-free containers (to avoid color changes).1
- Manufacturing: Beeswax is purchased by candle manufacturers and shipped all over the globe. Once the wax is ready for production, it’s melted down in hot water.
Artificial colors and fragrances are added to the mixture, the wick is inserted, and then the wax is cooled.1 - Packaging and Distribution: Candles are packaged, boxed, and shipped to point-of-sale destinations around the world
- Consumption: Candles are purchased by consumers and transported to their final destination where they’re burned and then ultimately disposed of.
Assessing the Carbon Footprint of Candles (Beeswax) Through the Product’s Lifecycle
So what is a carbon footprint? A carbon footprint calculation is the accumulation of all greenhouse emissions from a specific set of actions.
Assessing the carbon footprint of candles (beeswax) through the product’s life cycle requires us to take a detailed look at every step of the manufacturing, distribution, usage, and disposal processes.
Because data isn’t easily accessible, a basic carbon emissions calculator won’t help us track carbon emissions from candles; rather, it can be measured through a life cycle analysis (LCA).
1. Beekeeping, Sourcing, and Processing Candle Wax
Since bees naturally produce wax, you might be wondering how beeswax can possibly have a carbon footprint. However, beeswax and other bee products (ex: honey) are not derived from the wild; rather, they’re produced in bulk at bee farms.
Keeping bees can produce significant carbon emissions.
- Hive Management: Managing a hive of bees is a seasonal activity that requires electricity, supplemental feed, medication, wood, and transportation fuel.2
- Beeswax Extraction: Worker bees secrete wax after they feed on royal jelly and help construct the hive. Removing wax from the hive is done by melting the honeycomb with steam and/or hot water.
This process requires electricity, fuel, water, and equipment.2 - Processing The Wax: Wax is melted down to a liquid state and then immediately cooled. Then, it’s placed in a non-metal storage container.
This process uses water, fuel, machines, and stainless steel packaging.
A 2021 study of 6 bee farms in Italy suggested carbon emissions from beekeeping over two years resulted in 0.44 to 3.18 kg CO2e/kg honey.2
While this study pertained to honey production, beeswax is also a coproduct of honey.
2. Manufacturing (How To Make Beeswax Candles)
After wax is sourced from bees, processed, and packaged, it’s shipped to candle manufacturers where beeswax candles are produced at scale. This stage of the product life cycle includes:
- Shipping: Beeswax is shipped to manufacturers which requires vehicles and fuel.
- Melting: To make a beeswax candle, the wax must be melted down to liquid form. This requires fuel to make heat, containers, and machines.
- Cooling: The liquid wax is placed into a container (in the shape of the candle) and the wax is cooled.
- Wick Processing: Sourcing cotton and braiding it into a wick. The wick is placed into the candle before the wax cools.
This requires fuel, vehicles, and equipment.
While there is limited data available about the carbon footprint of candles (beeswax), this stage of the lifecycle likely produces the highest carbon emissions.
However, shipping one large box across the country results in 1.82 kg of CO2 emissions.3,7
Shipping thousands of containers of wax to manufacturers around the world requires significant fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are also likely used to melt the wax in production facilities.
3. Distribution
Once the candles are made, they’re labeled, packaged and shipped to retailers or points of sale all over the world.
(Image: Christo Anestev12)
Candle companies also invest significant resources in producing label art, printed marketing materials, and coupons.
- Label Production & Marketing: The process of designing, printing, and gluing labels as well as the production of any printed marketing materials by the manufacturer or the retailer. Paper, fuel, and vehicles are all required to produce labels and market the products.
- Packaging: Candles are packaged in boxes and crates, which requires labor, cardboard, wood, and other materials.
- Shipping: The final products are shipped to retailers or directly to consumers via trucks, rail, air, or sea.
Let’s start with the carbon footprint of packaging. The carbon footprint of a cardboard box from the beginning to the end of its lifecycle is 2.07 lbs. of CO2 emissions.
Shipping this box would result in an additional 1.82 kg of CO2 emissions.
It’s difficult to ascertain the exact carbon footprint of label production and marketing materials; however, this should also be considered.
4. Usage and Disposal
Once purchased by a consumer, a candle is burned over an extended period of time. At the end of its life, the remaining pieces of the candle are usually disposed of in the trash.
- Transporting the Products: Once purchased at a retailer, the candles are transported to the consumer’s home, which results in carbon emissions from fossil fuels.
- Burning the Candle: Did you know burning a candle leads to a very tiny amount of carbon emissions? While small, every stage of the carbon lifecycle adds up!
- Disposal: Any remaining pieces of candles are often tossed in the trash and end up in landfills.
As discussed during the manufacturing stage, transporting candles to retailers via truck or air leads to additional carbon emissions. Burning the candle produces about 5.28 mg/s of CO2.
If any remaining pieces end up in a landfill, this could significantly increase the candle’s carbon footprint. Landfills release methane, which is significantly more potent than carbon dioxide.4
Because there is little available data on the carbon footprint of beeswax and candles, we cannot definitively calculate the exact amount of carbon emissions per candle. However, we can tell you that the carbon footprint of candles is far less than other household items such as batteries or electronics.
Additionally, beeswax candles are much better for the environment than other types of candles.
Types of Candles (Beeswax, Paraffin Wax, Soy Wax, and Others)
There are many different types of candles made from dozens of different materials, and some are better for the environment than others. The most common categories of candles include:
1. Paraffin Wax
The most common type of candle wax is paraffin, a soft colorless material made from petroleum, coal, or oil shale.
(Image: Michal Jarmoluk8)
(Image: Jonathunder9)
2. Beeswax
A natural wax produced by the eight wax-producing glands in the abdominal segments of honey bees.
This wax is used by bees to form cells for honey storage and larval protection. This wax is mostly made up of fatty acids and long-chain alcohols.
3. Microcrystalline Wax
This wax is made from petroleum and its fine crystal structure and high melting point make it unique.
(Image: Isha Treendzs10)
4. Gel
Gel candles are transparent. They’re made with a blend of 95% mineral oil and 5% powdered polymer resin.
They last a lot longer than other types of candles.
5. Soy
These candles are produced with vegetable-based wax.
They’re non-toxic and they burn clean which means you won’t have to deal with black soot or anything that can stain walls.
(Image: Annie Pilon11)
Carbon Footprint of Candles (Beeswax): Environmentally Friendly Candles
Looking for environmentally friendly candles?
Beeswax candles are generally considered the best for the environment and have the smallest carbon footprint; however, below we’ll talk about how they stack up against some other common types.
Paraffin Wax vs Beeswax
The carbon footprint of beeswax candles is significantly smaller than paraffin, a common type of candle wax. Paraffin comes from petroleum, which is a limited resource.
Plus, it’s loaded with additives that make it difficult to biodegrade.5 On the other hand, Beeswax is non-toxic, sustainable, compostable, and biodegradable.
Not only is beeswax better for the environment, it’s better for you! Paraffin wax is loaded with toxic chemicals like benzene.
Palm Wax vs Beeswax
Palm wax candles are less common; however, palm wax is highly effective at dispersing fragrances. This material comes from palm trees and burns clean.
Much of palm wax originates from palm farms, which can produce carbon emissions; however, palm wax is much more environmentally friendly than paraffin wax.
Soy Wax vs Beeswax
Soy wax is another option for candle manufacturing. It’s made from soybeans and vegetables, both of which are renewable.
Soy candles are environmentally friendly and biodegradable, minimizing their presence in landfills. Yet, despite their eco-friendly nature, the carbon footprint of candles made from soy does include emissions from soy cultivation and the manufacturing process.
The carbon footprint of candles (beeswax) is relatively small; however, choosing beeswax or soy candles, which come from sustainable sources, is far better for the environment than paraffin wax candles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon Footprint of Candles (Beeswax)
What Types of Bees Produce Beeswax?
Beeswax most often comes from certain types of bees including A. Mellifera, A. Dorsata, A. Florea, and A. indica.
Do Burning Candles Give Off Carbon Emissions?
Yes, but the carbon emissions from burning a candle are minimal. A candle produces about 5.28 mg of CO2 per second.
What Are Some Beeswax Candles Benefits?
Beeswax candles are made from a sustainable source and they have a smaller carbon footprint than other forms of candles.
Are Beeswax Candles Safe?
Beeswax candles are non-toxic, so they won’t emit harmful chemicals when they’re burned.
What Are Candles Made Of?
Candles are made from paraffin wax, beeswax, palm wax, gel, or soil. Wicks usually consist of braided cotton.
Do Soy Wax Candles Have a Carbon Footprint?
While soy candles burn clean and come from sustainable resources, sourcing soy wax, manufacturing the candles, and shipping the products produce a carbon footprint.
Learn More About Carbon Footprint of Candles (Beeswax)
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References
1Olczyk, A. (2022). Beeswax. Science Direct. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from <https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/beeswax>
2Pignagnoli, A., Pignagnoli, S., Carpana, E., Costa, C., Dal Pra, A. (2023, February 20). Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Honey Production: Two-Year Survey in Italian Beekeeping Farms. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9952000>
3United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2023, October 31). Fast Facts on Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions. EPA. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from <https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/fast-facts-transportation-greenhouse-gas-emissions>
4Sustain.Life. (2023, April 24). Calculating Carbon Emissions From Waste. Sustain Life. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from <https://www.sustain.life/blog/calculating-carbon-emissions-waste>
5Nova Southeastern University. (2013, April 16). Soy Candles Vs. Paraffin Candles. NSU Florida. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from <https://nsunews.nova.edu/soy-candles-paraffin-candles/>
6Baker, N., Brandt, L., & Zakrewski, C. (2024). Candles, Roman, 500 BCE. Smith College Museum of Ancient Inventions. Retrieved February 2, 2023, from <https://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/candles2.html>
7United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2024). Energy. EPA. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from <https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-04/US-GHG-Inventory-2023-Chapter-3-Energy.pdf>
8Apartment Flowers Daffodils and Candles Photo by Michal Jarmoluk. (2017, February 26) / Pixabay Content License. Resized and Changed Format. Pixabay. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from <https://pixabay.com/photos/apartment-flowers-daffodils-room-2094654/>
9Seven Candles Photo by Jonathunder. (2009, December 19) / CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED | Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported. Cropped and Resized. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:7candles.JPG>
10Gel Glass Candle Photo by Isha Treendzs. (2018, July 8) / CC BY 2.0 DEED | Attribution 2.0 Generic. Cropped and Resized. Flickr. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from <https://www.flickr.com/photos/142870508@N05/28399306397/sizes/l/>
11Soy Candles Photo by Annie Pilon. (2011, January 12) / CC BY 2.0 DEED | Attribution 2.0 Generic. Resized and Changed Format. Flickr. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from <https://www.flickr.com/photos/anniehp/5346054883/sizes/l/>
12Candle White Decoration Celebration Photo by Christo Anestev. (2017, April 8) / Pixabay Content License. Resized and Changed Format. Pixabay. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from <https://pixabay.com/photos/candle-white-decoration-celebration-2207382/>