A Brief History of Wax

The art of candle-making has a rich history, with each era introducing unique characteristics to the wax used. From the tallow and beeswax of ancient times to the paraffin dominance of the 19th century and the soy wax boom of the late 20th century, the candle-making world has seen its fair share of transformations.

While soy wax was initially praised for its renewable nature, concerns about deforestation and agricultural practices have led many artisans to seek greener alternatives.

The Soy Wax Dilemma

While soy wax has long been a popular choice for candles due to its renewable nature, it has drawbacks. Soybeans, the primary ingredient in soy wax, are often grown in monocultures, which can contribute to deforestation and habitat destruction. Additionally, the production of soy wax can involve the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides.

• At Langtree Botanics, we have previously only used soy wax certified as sustainable, vegan, and pesticide-free.

Enter rapeseed wax

A sustainable choice rooted in European crops, this wax offers a cleaner burn and a smaller carbon footprint. By choosing rapeseed wax, you're enhancing the purity of your candle-burning experience and ensuring a more responsible interaction with our planet.

We are always seeking ways to reduce our environmental impact further. Switching to rapeseed wax can significantly lower our carbon footprint, thanks to the shorter transportation distances.

A Cleaner Burn for a More Mystical Ambience

There's something undeniably magical about watching a candle flame dance, casting playful shadows that transport one to another realm.

Rapeseed wax elevates this experience with its cleaner burn, leaving little to no soot. Unlike other waxes, which might produce smoke and residue, rapeseed wax burns cleanly and minimally impacts air quality. This means you can enjoy your candle without worrying about air quality issues.

Reduced Carbon Footprint for the Eco-Conscious

Rapeseed wax emerges as a green champion in the candle-making world.

Unlike soy wax, its production demands significantly less energy, contributing to a lower carbon footprint.

Additionally, sourcing our rapeseed wax from European farms substantially reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation.

This translates to a greener glow for your home and a smaller footprint on our planet!

Enchanting Blend: Rapeseed Wax and Coconut Oil

Rapeseed wax alone can be delicate, so a small amount of ethically sourced organic coconut oil is introduced into the blend.

Rapeseed wax provides a clean burn, long burn time, and excellent scent throw. Coconut oil adds a touch of hardness and improves the candle's overall structure. This harmonious blend ensures a superior candle experience that's both superior and eco-friendly.

The Transition Process

Switching to rapeseed wax presented us with an exciting challenge. We carefully tested various rapeseed wax blends to ensure they met our high standards for quality and performance. We are thrilled with the results and believe the switch was well worth the effort.

Rapeseed Wax: A Superior Choice

Rapeseed wax is generally considered a superior choice for candles compared with other waxes, including beeswax, paraffin, and other vegetable waxes. Here's why:

• Sustainability: Rapeseed is a renewable resource that can be grown sustainably and ethically, unlike paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct, which is known to contain carcinogens. Beeswax, while renewable, can have environmental impacts if not sourced responsibly.
• Plant-based: Being entirely plant-based means no other living creature has been harmed or tinkered with. Our wax is also 100% vegan certified.
• Performance: Rapeseed wax offers excellent burn characteristics, including a clean burn, long burn time, and good scent throw.
• Versatility: Rapeseed wax suits various candle types, from container to pillar candles.
• Ethical Considerations: Rapeseed wax is often sourced from European farms, reducing the need for long-distance transportation and supporting local economies.

So Why Did We Switch?

“The Nature Sprites dance lightly on the Earth”

At Langtree Botanics, we're dedicated to making a positive impact on the planet. We're taking a significant step towards a more sustainable future by choosing rapeseed wax for our container and Nature Sprite Spell Candles. We hope our decision will inspire others to make eco-friendly choices in their daily lives.

About our candle wax

• Rapeseed crop grown in UK/EU – from existing agricultural land
• Renewable and sustainable crop – no deforestation involved
• Contains Certified Organic Coconut Oil – crop grown by smallholders in Asia, with no deforestation
• Non-GM, NOT from GM crops
• No Palm
• Vegan
• Manufactured in the UK