Eco-Friendly Candle Tips: A Greener Way to Enjoy Scent
By Dawn, Founder of Tenfire
You don’t have to overhaul your lifestyle to enjoy candles more sustainably. From choosing natural wax to reusing candle vessels, small steps can make a big difference. In this guide, we share how Tenfire approaches eco-conscious candle making—and the simple things you can do at home to reduce waste and make your scent rituals more sustainable.
TL;DR
- You don’t need a full lifestyle change to enjoy candles sustainably.
- Look for natural wax, non-toxic fragrance, and reusable packaging.
- Tenfire uses soy wax, cotton wicks, and recyclable materials to reduce impact.
- Reusing candle jars and following burn best practices saves resources.
Why Candle Sustainability Matters
Candles are built for comfort—but that comfort shouldn’t come at the cost of the planet.
Many mass-produced candles are made with paraffin wax (a by-product of petroleum), synthetic fragrance oils, and plastic-heavy packaging. These materials can produce indoor air pollutants, contribute to landfill waste, and take far more energy to produce.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Eco-friendly candles aren’t about perfection—they’re about choosing better where we can. And often, those better choices make for better candles too: cleaner burns, gentler scents, and longer-lasting fragrance.
Founder’s note:
When I started Tenfire, I wanted to create candles that felt good in every way—from the scent, to the burn, to the impact. We’re not perfect, but every part of our process is shaped by care.
What Makes a Candle Eco-Friendly?
Here’s what to look for when you’re shopping for sustainable candles:
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Natural wax (like soy, coconut, beeswax) | Renewable, biodegradable, clean-burning |
| Cotton or wooden wick | No metal cores or toxins |
| Non-toxic fragrance | No unnecessary synthetics |
| Minimal packaging | Reduces waste and energy use |
| Recyclable or reusable containers | Keeps vessels out of landfill |
Tenfire candles are made with pure soy wax, cotton wicks, and carefully chosen fragrance blends free from harmful additives. Our labels and kraft boxes are recyclable, and we’re always looking for ways to reduce our footprint even further.
Find out what candles are safe to burn in our blog.
How Tenfire Reduces Waste and Toxins
Ingredients That Matter
- Soy wax from sustainable sources
- No dyes, no glitter, no unnecessary fillers
- Clean-burning wicks for lower soot and better air quality
Packaging That’s Minimal Yet Thoughtful
- Kraft boxes that can be composted or recycled
- Labels printed on recyclable stock
- Hand-stamped finishes instead of plastic wraps
Slow-Made in Small Batches
- Poured by hand to avoid overproduction
- Limited runs reduce waste and seasonal excess
- Each product designed to last, not be thrown away
Tips for Greener Candle Use at Home
- Burn Candles Properly: Let them burn long enough to form a full melt pool, extinguish at 3–4 hours, and trim the wick each time for a clean, even burn. We have another blog all about the important first burn of your candle.
- Use Up All the Wax: Stop burning at around 1cm to avoid jar damage, scoop out cooled wax to use in a melt burner or compost if soy-based.
- Avoid Drafts and Fans: Unstable air increases soot, shortens burn time, and wastes product.
- Store Candles Properly: Keep them cool, dry, and away from sunlight to preserve scent and wax integrity.
How to Reuse or Recycle Candle Vessels
Candle jars and tins are too lovely to toss out—and reusing them is one of the easiest eco-friendly wins.
♻ How to Clean a Used Candle Jar:
- Place the jar/tin in the freezer for a few hours
- Pop out the remaining wax with a spoon
- Soak the jar in warm soapy water to remove residue
- Peel off the label if desired
🌱 Ways to Reuse:
- Pen or brush holder
- Plant pot for small succulents
- Bathroom organiser (cotton buds, clips)
- Spice jar or tea light holder
- Gift container (add sweets or wrapped treats)
If you don’t want to reuse, clean and recycle the glass as you would any jar. For kraft boxes and paper labels, your regular recycling bin will do.
Read more about how to know when a candle is done.
Wax Melt Waste: What You Can Do
Wax melts are a great low-waste option—but they still create leftover wax.
Greener Melt Tips:
- Use a melt until the scent fades completely
- Don’t overfill your burner
- Remove old wax with cotton wool or biodegradable pads
- Compost cooled soy wax, if free from additives
Founder’s note:
Some of our customers send us photos of their reused jars and creative repurposing—one even turned a Tenfire tin into a travel sewing kit. I love that. It shows that the story doesn’t end when the flame goes out.
Final Thoughts
Being eco-conscious doesn’t mean giving up beauty or ritual—it means being more connected to what we use, and how we use it. Every time you reuse a jar, burn a candle properly, or choose natural ingredients, you’re part of that shift.
At Tenfire, sustainability is part of the story. But it’s not about being perfect—it’s about choosing well, lighting with care, and enjoying scent that feels good in every way.
— Dawn
