A flickering candle might look innocent enough—but what’s behind that soft glow? If you’re someone who lights a candle to unwind or reset your space, it’s worth knowing that traditional candles often come with an environmental cost that’s easy to overlook.
From petroleum-based wax to single-use packaging, the typical candle leaves a bigger footprint than most of us realize. Let’s break down the true environmental impact of traditional candles—and why more sustainable options, like refillable candles, offer a better way to glow.
What do we mean by “traditional candles”?
When we talk about “traditional candles,” we’re usually referring to mass-produced, single-use candles made with paraffin wax, synthetic fragrance oils, and disposable glass containers. These are the ones you’ll find in big-box stores—affordable, fragrant, and often tossed in the trash once burned through.
Why paraffin? It’s cheap, it holds scent well, and it’s been widely used since the 19th century. But paraffin is also a petroleum byproduct, meaning it’s derived from the same fossil fuel extraction and refining processes that power gas and diesel.
Life-Cycle Emissions & Carbon Footprint
Upstream: Extraction and production
Paraffin wax comes from crude oil. After refining oil into fuels like gasoline and diesel, the leftover byproducts are further processed into substances like paraffin. That means every paraffin candle contributes—however indirectly—to fossil fuel demand and extraction.
Then there’s the energy cost of refining, shipping, and manufacturing the candles. The fragrance, wicks, glass, labels, and packaging all come from somewhere—and all require energy to produce and transport.
During use: Emissions while burning
When you burn a paraffin candle, you release carbon dioxide (CO₂) and trace pollutants into the air. Most candles release between 0.15 to 2.5 kg of CO₂e over their life, depending on their size and burn time.
They can also release particulate matter, soot, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and toluene—especially if the flame flickers or the wick mushrooms.
After use: Waste
Paraffin is not biodegradable, and wax residue often ends up in landfills. The glass containers used for most store-bought candles aren’t always recyclable (especially if covered in wax, labels, or metal lids). That means millions of candle jars are thrown out each year—often after just one use.
Indoor Air Quality, Health & Pollutants
While a single candle in a well-ventilated room isn’t likely to cause major harm, prolonged or frequent use of low-quality candles in small spaces can contribute to indoor air pollution.
Key concerns include:
- Soot and fine particles: These can irritate the lungs, especially in people with asthma or respiratory sensitivities.
- VOCs: Some traditional candles emit trace amounts of chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde—known to be harmful in higher concentrations.
- Fragrance additives: Synthetic fragrance blends, especially unregulated ones, can trigger headaches or allergy-like symptoms.
Not all studies agree on the level of risk, but it’s clear that candle quality, wax type, wick material, and how you burn them all matter.
Other Environmental Impacts
Beyond air quality and carbon emissions, traditional candles raise a few other red flags:
- Fossil fuel reliance: Paraffin is inherently tied to oil extraction, a major driver of climate change.
- Packaging waste: Most traditional candles come in single-use containers with non-recyclable packaging.
- Chemical runoff: Some dyes, fragrance components, and wax stabilizers come from petrochemicals with toxic production byproducts.
- Land use: Even alternative waxes (like soy) have their own impacts—especially when tied to deforestation or industrial farming.
No product is impact-free—but some are clearly heavier on the planet than others.
Quantifying the Impact: One Candle vs. a Better System
Let’s say you burn one medium-sized paraffin candle per week. That’s about:
- 50–100 candles/year
- Up to 200 kg of CO₂e/year
- Over 100 single-use glass jars tossed out
- Dozens of packaging materials, wick tabs, and labels discarded
Now compare that to a refillable candle system—like ours at ReCandle Co. :
- One handmade ceramic vessel used over and over
- Soy wax refills that pop in cleanly—no scraping or heating
- Minimal packaging, all recyclable
- Lower emissions from production and shipping
- Clean-burning wax and non-toxic fragrance
It’s a small switch with a big ripple effect.
Smart Swaps: What You Can Do
Reducing the impact of your candle habit doesn’t mean giving up the ritual—it just means burning better. Here’s how:
- Switch to a refillable candle to eliminate repeated waste and reduce emissions → Try our refillable candle
- Choose soy wax, beeswax, or coconut wax from transparent sources
- Look for brands that use non-toxic fragrance (free of phthalates, carcinogens, and known irritants)
- Avoid candles with metal wicks, heavy dyes, or synthetic blends
- Practice smart burning: trim your wick, avoid drafts, don’t burn too long
- Reuse or repurpose old jars when possible
And when you’re ready for a simpler system, zero waste candle refills can make the whole process effortless.
Why Refillable Candles Are a Smarter Choice
Refillable candle systems like ReCandle Co. aren’t just cleaner—they’re smarter.
By reusing the same handmade ceramic vessel and only swapping out the wax, you cut back dramatically on waste, packaging, and carbon emissions. Our soy wax refills are clean-burning, mess-free, and non-toxic—designed to support your rituals without compromising your values.
Plus, we plant a tree for every order, so your glow goes a little further.
FAQ
Are all candles equally bad for the environment?
Not at all. Paraffin-based, single-use candles tend to have the highest impact. Refillable systems and natural waxes are much more sustainable.
Is soy wax 100% eco-friendly?
Soy is better than paraffin, but it still depends on sourcing and farming practices. Look for brands that use responsibly sourced soy—and avoid deforestation-linked suppliers.
Do candles really pollute indoor air?
Poorly made candles, especially those with paraffin wax and synthetic fragrance, can release soot and VOCs. But high-quality, clean-burning candles used properly in ventilated spaces are much safer.
What makes a candle “zero waste”?
A zero waste candle minimizes or eliminates packaging, uses reusable containers, and avoids harmful ingredients. ReCandle Co.’s zero waste refills are designed with all of this in mind.