Eco-Friendly Candles: What to Look for When Shopping

Not all candles are created equal. If you're trying to make more sustainable choices, understanding what makes a candle eco-friendly can help you shop with confidence. From wax type to wick material and packaging, here are the key things to look for when choosing an eco-friendly candle.

Candles bring warmth, ambiance, and a touch of luxury to any space—but can they be environmentally friendly too? The answer is yes. However, not every candle on the shelf is created with sustainability in mind. Here's how to identify eco-friendly candles and why those details matter.

1. Start with the wax

The foundation of any eco-friendly candle is the wax. Look for waxes that come from renewable resources and burn cleanly.

Soy wax, like the wax we use at Deliciously Wickt, is plant-based, biodegradable, and derived from renewable soybean crops. In contrast, paraffin wax is a byproduct of petroleum production, making it a less sustainable choice.

2. Check the wick

The wick plays an important role in how cleanly a candle burns.

Quality eco-friendly candles use natural cotton or wood wicks that provide an even burn without introducing unnecessary materials. Choosing candles made with natural wicks helps support a cleaner-burning experience in your home.

3. Pay attention to fragrance ingredients

Not all fragrance oils are created equal.

At Deliciously Wickt, we use high-quality, phthalate-free fragrance oils that are tested on humans and never on animals. Choosing candles made with carefully selected fragrance ingredients helps reduce exposure to unnecessary additives while still providing a strong, long-lasting scent experience.

4. Consider the packaging

Sustainability doesn't stop with the candle itself.

Eco-friendly candles often use recyclable, reusable, or minimal packaging. Our candles are poured into recyclable glass jars that can be repurposed long after the candle has finished burning, giving them a second life around your home.

5. Support local makers

Buying locally made candles can reduce transportation emissions and support small businesses in your community.

As an Ontario-based candle company, Deliciously Wickt proudly hand-pours every candle in Canada. Supporting local makers often means shorter supply chains, less shipping impact, and products crafted with greater attention to quality.

The Bottom Line

If you're looking for eco-friendly candles, focus on the details: renewable waxes, natural wicks, high-quality fragrance oils, recyclable packaging, and locally made products. These factors can help you make a more sustainable choice without sacrificing scent or performance.

At Deliciously Wickt, we've built our candles around those principles—so you can enjoy a beautiful fragrance experience while making a more environmentally conscious choice.