Soy vs. Beeswax Candles: Which Is More Environmentally Friendly?

If you’re mindful of the environment but want to enjoy the warm glow of candles at home, you may have wondered about the soy versus beeswax candle debate. The question isn’t just which is better for the planet, but also which is healthier for you.

To be clear, this article doesn’t claim soy candles are harmful or beeswax candles are a perfect solution. Instead, we’ll carefully examine both options and draw conclusions based on solid evidence.

What Makes a Candle Potentially Harmful?

Candles are typically made from paraffin (the same material used for crayons), soy, or beeswax. Many news reports have raised concerns about paraffin wax and its potential toxicity when burned. However, scientific studies often provide inconclusive results, and there’s no definitive proof that candle fumes are harmful to people.

Moreover, all candle materials used in the US are approved by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA).

Every candle emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—these are the same types of compounds that create natural scents in gardens and flowers. US-made candles must comply with strict limits on VOC emissions.

Historically, candle wicks contained lead to keep them upright, but the Environmental Protection Agency banned lead wicks in 2003, so no modern candle uses toxic wicks.

Currently, no candle type is known to cause significant harm to health or the environment, though some produce more soot and VOCs than others.

Soy Candles

Many popular candles are made from a blend of soy and paraffin wax. Soy wax derives from soybeans, with leftover soy solids used as cattle feed, making soy a natural and renewable resource.

However, the environmental impact of soy farming is complex. The cultivation often involves pesticides, fertilizers, and deforestation, which can harm ecosystems.

Soy candles sometimes include paraffin to extend fragrance longevity, and many soy products are genetically modified with additives that alter their natural properties.

While soy candles don’t burn perfectly clean, they produce less soot than pure paraffin candles and have a slower burn rate despite their relatively low melting point.

Beeswax Candles

Beeswax candles, though less common than scented varieties, are natural and burn cleanly. Historically used for centuries, beeswax is reputed to purify the air by releasing negative ions that neutralize airborne pollutants.

Unlike some soy candles, which may trigger allergies or headaches due to added scents, beeswax candles can improve air quality by eliminating odors rather than masking them.

Beeswax is a byproduct of bees pollinating flowers, consuming honey, and constructing their hives. Beekeepers harvest wax by melting honeycombs in warm water, causing the wax to float to the surface. However, depending on harvesting methods, beeswax production can threaten bee populations.

Beeswax candles typically emit a subtle, pleasant honey aroma and generally do not produce smoke or soot.

Common Ground Between Soy and Beeswax Candles

Both soy and beeswax candles emit VOCs, but the levels are too low to significantly affect human health. Everyday exposures, like pollution and vehicle exhaust, pose a far greater risk than candle emissions.

Much of the risk associated with candles depends on usage. Burning candles in well-ventilated areas without drafts, limiting burn time, and using a snuffer instead of blowing out candles can minimize soot and smoke.

For more safety tips, refer to resources from the National Candle Association and the European Candle Association.

The Verdict

When considering environmental impact and health, soy candles come out ahead in the soy vs. beeswax candle debate. There’s no conclusive evidence that soy candles are as toxic as sometimes suggested.

While beeswax seems more natural, its production can disrupt bee colonies, which have been declining sharply in recent years, making it less eco-friendly overall.