Is Soy Wax Eco Friendly?

Is soy wax eco friendly – let’s find out!

The first kind of candle wax produced was made from various animal fats and although it was made with eco-friendly natural wax, it burned badly and had a nasty stench that came with it. However, over time, other types of candle waxes were introduced. Candles that are now clean burning, sweet-smelling, and long-lasting are widely available, and much more popular! But how eco-friendly are the soy candles we have all come to love to have burning in our homes?

I remember when I was younger how I’d buy as many cheap candles as I could with my pocket money. It was something about the different smells and the dancing flames that I loved so much about them. However, these days I am much more careful about the types of candles I have in my home. No more cheap candles made with god knows what type of wax. Filing my home with potentially toxic chemicals and fumes.

My personal favourite kind of candle wax to have in my home is either soy or coconut wax. They both seem to have a much cleaner burn and last longer than most others. They also don’t have that black plume of smoke coming off them as some others sometimes seem to. The less soot the better, especially with white walls and the fact I now have asthma (a whole other story)!

How Is Soy Wax Made?

Soy wax is a vegetable wax derived from the oil of soy beans from the soy plant, found mainly in South America. After the beans have been harvested, they are cleaned and de-hulled before being rolled into flakes. The flakes are then used to extract the oil, and to then be hydrogenated.

The hydrogenation process is where some of the fatty acids are turned from unsaturated to saturated. Simply meaning the oil is solid at room temperature. This process means the soy wax burns better at both a warmer and cooler temperature. Creating a cleaner and more even burn.

Technically, due to the hydrogenation process, soy wax isn’t natural, it’s the soy itself that is the natural part. However, soy is one of the most natural forms of candle wax you can find.

Soy Wax

Candles such as 100% natural soy wax are generally more expensive. However, they are also healthier and more luxurious when compared to the traditional candles made from paraffin oil. These candles make better choices if you’re after candles with more natural ingredients, high-quality organic essential oils or nontoxic candles.

The more eco-friendly candles, such as these made from natural products make a great sustainable alternative. They often have a stronger scent that lasts much longer than conventional candles as well. For one, the pure essential oils used in these types of candles will often be more concentrated. Plus, they’re generally made in small batches and are sometimes even made to order – depending on the company.

Not all soy wax candles will be 100% soy wax, so make sure you check the labels. Some brands will add in other forms of wax to lower the cost of production, while still being able to call them soy wax candles. Soy wax is a vegan product which is why it is so popular in vegan candles.

Ingredients In Soy Wax Candles

If your candle is 100% soy wax, all that should be in it is soy wax and essential oils for the fragrance.

However, if your candle isn’t 100% soy wax, there could be a number of other wax variants in it. The exact ingredients will vary from brand to brand so check the ingredients list before you buy.

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Other Types Of Wax Used In Candles

Palm Wax

Palm wax, although very difficult to make is the longest burning kind of natural candle wax. For this reason, it is usually costly. The palm wax burns perfectly with no smoke. When moulded with a cotton wick, the palm wax leaves no soot while it burns. This makes palm wax one of the best waxes for making candles.

Bees Wax

Beeswax is another long-lasting, clean burning wax which doesn’t generally create black smoke. This type of wax is used in making candles, but you can also often find it in skincare products as well.

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Although this is more of a sustainable product, most vegans won’t use anything with beeswax in it. So, if you follow a vegan lifestyle, do check the label.

Bayberry

Just like beeswax, bayberry wax can be very expensive. It is best used for tapers and tarts as it doesn’t burn as well as large diameter candles.

Bayberry wax has a clear olive or dark olive colour which is why it’s not often found in candle making. This type of wax can be very brittle so it is generally used with another wax such as beeswax to make it harder.

Also, bayberry wax does not mix well with additional fragrances such as essential oils as it has a naturally strong mown grass scent.

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin oil is one of the oldest human-made types of candle wax. It’s generally cheap to make as it can be manufactured locally in most countries.

Did you know, that paraffin wax (or petroleum wax) is soft and colourless, derived from petroleum, coal or crude oil – not exactly the kind of potentially harmful chemicals you want in your home?

However, very few candles are made from pure paraffin these days. Paraffin burns quickly and doesn’t perform well in warmer weather. If you see candles with half of the wax untouched by the fame, they are likely to be paraffin wax candles. Pure paraffin wax candles are better used for items such as a tart wax melt and disposable tealights you might use in your garden.

To increase the strength of paraffin candles, increase their burn time and even help them stay alight in the warmer weather, an addictive called vybar is added.

You should also know that paraffin is an allergen; this means that some people might be allergic to paraffin, whether through toxic fumes, synthetic fragrances or even to touch. This is why mineral oil-based candles are better than paraffin candles and they’re less likely to create air pollution in your home.

Candle Wicks

Yes, although this article is more about candle wax, we can’t leave out the types of candle wick. My personal favourite is the wooden wicks, the ones that crackle, and the more silent ones alike. Wooden wick tabs are generally found in the higher-priced, better-quality candles, so if you aren’t sure, look to see what kind of wick your candle has.

• Wooden Wick (most eco-friendly)
• Organic Cotton Wick
• Cotton Wick
• Zinc Wick (the most rigid)
• Paper Wick

Is Soy Wax Eco Friendly?

If the soy plant has been grown on an industrial scale for mass production, then no, it’s not at all eco-friendly. Even plants grown in mass for production on a large scale will have negative environmental impacts. Make sure the company you are buying from are ethically sourcing their soy wax.

However, soy wax is one of the only biodegradable forms of wax (along with beeswax and coconut wax), which is better for the environment. If your candle also comes in a glass or aluminium container, or jar, it means it’s easier to recycle. If your candle also comes in recyclable, or eco-friendly packaging then yes, you have an eco-friendly candle – as long as it was ethically sourced!

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It’s hard to be able to say whether soy wax is eco-friendly or not because it depends on where it has come from and how it has been grown. It is definitely better than something like paraffin wax though, making it more of an eco-friendly alternative.

So, if you buy soy wax candles, in a small way, you will be helping to reduce climate change by opting to buy products made using renewable resources. Plus, you’ll also be helping yourself by not having nasty chemicals filling your home. Instead, you’ll have non-toxic candles, made with plant-based wax creating a cleaner burn.

We hope you found this article interesting and helpful when it comes to deciding what type of candles you might want to have in your home. Do you think is soy wax eco friendly?