And what we’re doing about it
I have a not-so-secret confession: I am obsessed with candles. If I’m home, at least one is burning. I love how they set the mood, whisk me away to dreamy destinations, or wrap me in nostalgia (coastal summers, fireside ghost stories, you get it). In fact, CarteHaus was born from this very obsession. I got to a point where I felt like I had smelled every candle out there, so I started mixing my own unexpected blends.
But with this obsession came a hard truth. The massive amount of waste. My house is basically a shrine to repurposed candle jars. Vases, pen holders, plant pots, you name it. And yet, there’s only so much upcycling one person can do before she’s drowning in empty vessels. But throwing them out feels like a stab in the heart.
I know I’m not the only one.
A Look Into The Billion Dollar Candle Industry
The U.S. leads the global candle market (no surprise there), and by 2030, it’s projected to hit a staggering $14 billion(1). One of the biggest commercial candle companies in the U.S. produces 45 million candles a year! That’s a whole lot of candles… and an even bigger pile of waste.
Most candle vessels aren’t recyclable. While glass can be recycled, its fragility makes the process tricky—broken glass isn’t accepted, which means millions of candle vessels end up in landfills. And then there’s the single-use packaging. Are they wrapped in plastic? Covered in decorative bells and whistles? It all adds up to a pretty hefty carbon footprint.
So, what’s the alternative? Should we all just sit in the dark and mourn a candle-free existence?
Yeah, no. That’s not the answer. I believe there’s a way to balance sustainability with the simple joys and luxuries that make life beautiful. Candles are more than just a pretty scent, they’re about ritual, ambiance, and well-being.
How we’re reducing our carbon footprint
From the beginning, we’ve been hyper-aware of the impact candles have on the environment, so we’ve made sustainable choices wherever possible. As a small, self-funded brand, we can’t go fully eco-friendly overnight (if only it were that easy). Unfortunately, the process is expensive and time-consuming. But with every step, we’re making intentional choices—and as we grow, we’ll keep raising the bar.
Here’s where we stand now:
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Soy over paraffin: Most candles use paraffin because it’s less costly and it works well. But it is a petroleum byproduct (a non-renewable resource) that burns fast. That means you go through those candles quicker. We chose soy wax instead. It’s a naturally-derived, renewable resource, holds scent beautifully, and burns slower, giving you more hours of indulgence.
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One signature vessel: Our minimalist ceramic vessel is timeless and goes well with any decor style, so you can choose based on scent, not looks. But beyond appearance, this approach streamlines production and eliminates excess inventory waste if a scent doesn’t take off.
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Minimal recyclable packaging: Your candles arrive safely at your door with the least amount of material needed. The cardboard boxes are recyclable, and the packing peanuts are made of plant starch, so they are compostable and literally dissolve in water.
That said, we know ceramic—our vessel of choice—isn’t recyclable. But it is heat-safe, meaning a safer burn with less risk of overheating or cracking (I’ve got a whole article on that). Plus, its neutral design makes it easy to repurpose. Still, we get it. There are only so many candle vessels a person can collect before it starts feeling… excessive.
Which is why we’re not stopping here. We can do better. And we are doing better.
A New Era of Sustainable Candle Burning
Instead of fixating on the problem, we’ve got to work on a solution.
The biggest source of waste is, without a doubt, the vessel. Some brands use upcycled containers, but those aren’t designed for candles, meaning they’re not tested for safety. That’s a hard no for us.
We’ve thought outside the box and worked on creating something completely new that would solve this problem.
For the past couple of years, we’ve been deep in development, perfecting a reusable vessel that’s heat-safe, stunningly beautiful, and curbside recyclable. After countless prototypes and rigorous testing, it’s finally happening—and we’re in the process of securing a patent!
We can’t spill all the details just yet, but trust us: This is about to change the way you burn candles. A truly guilt-free experience that’s just as good for you as it is for the planet.
Be The First to Know
Join the waitlist. We’re making big moves in sustainable candle innovation (and scents), and you don’t want to miss this. As a subscriber, you’ll get exclusive early access and insider updates as we roll out more details.
Sustainability isn’t all or nothing. There’s no perfect solution. But small, intentional choices add up to something big. Let’s create something better together.
Sources
Statista. (Jan 2025) Global candle market – statistics and facts. https://www.statista.com/topics/11364/global-candle-market/