But we're working on making it better
Sustainability has been a hot topic for the past decade. Scroll through Instagram, and you’ll find hundreds of accounts dedicated to “sustainable swaps” and “zero waste” lifestyles. Walk through a store and you’ll see reusable containers, minimal plastic bags, and, in some cases, less packaging. If you’re surrounded by this messaging and you’re hyper-aware (same), you’re probably very conscious of your choices, and the weight they carry.
But at the same time… we love what we love. The small luxuries that aren’t essential, but add a little whimsy and warmth to our spaces and our lives. There’s a tug-of-war between these two forces: wanting to do better for the environment, while also creating a space that feels like you, layered with personality and the little details that make you smile.
As a brand founder creating something that isn’t a “need,” but more of a luxury, I feel this deeply. I say our candles elevate the routine by making the mundane feel special. But I also feel that pull and responsibility to do better for the planet. While that intention is there, and I do my best to make thoughtful choices, I also recognize that no product exists without impact.
Sustainability isn’t black and white.
As long as we’re consuming, we’re creating waste. And, that’s true across every industry, not just candles. But that doesn’t mean the effort is pointless. It just means that perfection isn’t the goal (and honestly, for us, it never was).
A more realistic approach is being intentional about the impact we do create, making better choices where we can, when we can, while also accepting that consumption will always come with trade-offs.
Just to be clear: this isn’t on YOU.
It’s a bigger systemic issue. One that businesses and governments need to take seriously to drive a bigger impact.
Do you really need candles?
They sit firmly in the “want” category. We don’t need them (unless there’s a power outage, no flashlight in sight, and all you’ve got is a scented candle and a box of matches). But still, we choose to bring them into our homes.
Candles have the magic to shift a space. Like other home decor, pictures, or jewelry, they’re little things that make a house feel homey and personal. But at the end of the day, they do create waste.
If you burn candles regularly, you probably have a growing collection of empty vessels tucked away somewhere waiting to be reused or eventually thrown out. And, while there are 101 ways to repurpose them, there are only so many times you can do that before they start piling up.
(We wrote an article about this, read it here).
The reality behind candle consumption
Let’s zoom out for a second and look at the greater impact:
Here are some numbers to bring a better scale to this:
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Over 1 billion candles were produced in the U.S alone in 2024
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Of those, 270 million came in a recyclable or reusable vessel
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There’s a recycling problem, and only 21% of household items are recycled
So if we do the math, out of those 270 million candles with the potential to be recycled, only 21% (about 567 thousand) actually are recycled.
And it’s not always for lack of trying. Recycling is complicated. Access isn’t always there; some containers can’t be processed because of wax residue, and most curbside programs don’t even accept glass.
In short, that’s a lot of candle containers ending up in our landfills.
Why 100% sustainable candle companies are not realistic
There’s a growing expectation for businesses to be fully sustainable. But the truth is, no product-based business can meet that standard. Every stage of creating a product has an impact. With candles, that includes sourcing the wax (even if it’s plant-based), manufacturing, packaging, and shipping.
And one of the biggest challenges shows up at the very end: disposal. Some companies try to offer solutions through recyclable or reusable vessels. But as we mentioned above, not everything actually gets recycled. And when you look a little closer, it gets even more complicated.
The recyclable vessel problem:
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Glass vessels, like our votives, aren’t always accepted in curbside recycling programs, often because they’re considered hazardous or difficult to sort.
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Ceramic vessels, like our full-size candles, aren’t recyclable at all. We chose ceramic because it’s heat-safe, and that’s non-negotiable for us.
The repurposed vessel safety hazard
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Why not give items like teacups or mason jars a second life? They look great, and on the surface, it feels like a more sustainable option. But they’re not safe. These containers weren’t designed for candles, which means they haven’t been heat-tested. That comes with a real risk of cracking or breaking. There’s a reason you don’t see larger companies doing this. At CarteHaus, safety will always come before aesthetics.
There’s no version of candle-making today that produces zero waste. So if we’re going to enjoy them, we also have to acknowledge that waste is part of the equation. But that doesn’t mean we throw our hands up. It just means we do better where we can and choose more thoughtfully.
Choosing better, not perfect.
If a zero carbon footprint is unrealistic, then the focus shifts to doing better. That’s been our approach from day one.
Here’s what that looks like for us now:
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Standardized vessels: Our white ceramic vessels are uniform. You get the same one no matter the scent (unless we drop a limited edition). This helps reduce overproduction and unsold inventory waste.
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Recyclable cardboard packaging: You’re here for the candles and scents, not excessive packaging. We keep it minimal with just enough to make sure your order arrives safely, without cracks. Beyond that, we don’t overdo it.
- Sample sachets: So you can smell without committing to a full-sized candle you may not love (try them here).
No waste isn’t realistic, so we focus on less waste and more intentional buying and making.
What We’re Building Next
All that said, I don’t think it’s enough and I know we can do better.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve been working on a new invention designed to significantly reduce candle waste. Now that the patent is in process, I can finally start sharing more.
This new container is designed to be reusable, completely safe for candle burning, and beautiful to display. I’ve built it to be as close to waste-free as possible. This is a meaningful step forward for us and hopefully for the candle category as a whole, too.
A change in perspective
With this invention, we’re not solving the microplastics problem or saving the world. But if we sell 1,000 candles in a year, and more than half of those get reused, I’d consider that a big win.
We’ll keep creating the scent blends you love, just with better packaging. Soon.
In the meantime, join the waitlist.
Sources
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Recycling Partnership https://recyclingpartnership.org/report-shows-only-21-of-u-s-residential-recyclables-are-captured-points-to-policy-and-investment-as-immediate-solutions/
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Market Growth Reports “Candle Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type” https://www.marketgrowthreports.com/market-reports/candle-market-108461#:~:text=Soy%20wax%20accounted%20for%20approximately,or%20aluminum%2Dbased%20recyclable%20vessels.