Many people tend to assume that "being vegan" is just another way of saying they're vegetarian. But veganism extends beyond cutting meat out of one's diet.
Veganism is a way of life that strives to avoid using any products or services that exploit animals and their byproducts. Vegans, then, do not only exclude meat from their diet, but also eggs, milk, and honey, which are essentially byproducts created by chickens, cows or goats, and bees, respectively.
But this is a lifestyle that goes beyond what vegans put in their bodies. It applies to everything, from makeup products to cleaning products to clothing (i.e., buying a faux fur coat instead of a mink or ermine coat) and so much more.
Why buy vegan candles?
People become vegan for a number of reasons. Some do it for ethical reasons: they care for animals and do not want to contribute to their suffering. For others, it's an environmental issue, as vegans rely less on cattle, which contribute to methane production, one of the causes of climate change.
At Friendly Candle, we do everything in our power to create eco-friendly candles vegan candles, from the reusable jar, the 100% natural soy wax, to the seed paper that can be planted to grow wildflowers, because we believe in creating a better, inhabitable world for the future, and we can do that by minimizing product waste.
Are all candles vegan?
Not all candles are vegan, though two of the most popular kinds of candles are. However, we believe that one of these options is superior over the others.
The three following types of wax are the most commonly used in candles:
1. Paraffin
Paraffin wax is made as a byproduct of crude oil. This makes it a vegan product, and it is indeed cruelty-free to animals, but its existence can only come about through crude oil production. Oil production is one of the biggest contributors to climate change, which affects every living thing on this planet, including the animals many vegans wish to protect through their way of life.
It's also worth noting that burning paraffin wax releases carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals).
The vast majority of candles you can buy in department stores are paraffin candles, or a blend of soy and paraffin, so it's important to read the label.
2. Beeswax
Beeswax candles are not vegan. Beeswax is basically bee sweat and is what honeycombs are made from. Unlike paraffin, beeswax is sustainable and renewable, and also contributes to the safety and well-being of bees through beekeepers. Most candlemakers work with ethically sourced beeswax producers, but it's always a good idea to ask your candlemaker about their beeswax supplier if they don't have any information about them.
But if you are a hardcore vegan who wants nothing to do any animal byproducts, then it's probably for the best to skip beeswax.
3. Soy
Considering that soy is often used as a protein or meat substitute in many vegan dishes, it's no surprise then that soy candles are vegan!
Not only are soy candles vegan, they are also the most environmentally friendly option of candle wax. They also burn slowly and cleanly, as well as evenly, so you won't have to worry about the wax sticking to the sides or the jar or burning the jar.
The vast majority of soy is farmed in the United States, so it's very likely that if you're buying a soy candle, you're also supporting soy farmers.
As noted earlier, some department stores may sell soy candles that also have paraffin wax. Reading the label is a must.
Or, better yet, consider supporting a small, local soy candle making company like Friendly Candle!
Support vegan candlemakers
Friendly Candle uses 100% all-natural soy wax and so many different scents to choose from! We have our citrus-scented Satsuma), floral-filled Moonlight Serenade, and classic seasonal scents like Apple Spice and Winter Dreams.
This is only a fraction of the vegan soy wax candles we have to offer, so please check out the Friendly Candle store to find the scent that's right for you! (And don't forget to plant the label and reuse the container when you've gone through the candle. Every little bit of effort helps the planet be a little more friendly to everyone.)