Sustainability
Here at Brooklyn Candle Studio, we believe in both social and environmental sustainability - everything from the organizations we support, the company policies we put in place, to the sourcing of high quality raw materials matter a great deal to us. Sustainability is at the heart of our company’s approach to business.
Social/Sustainable Business Values
We strive to provide jobs that improve peoples’ lives, as well as partner with other businesses with similar values, pooling strengths in order to create a greater positive social impact. That is why at Brooklyn Candle Studio, our employees have access to high quality health insurance, including dental, vision, and mental health benefits. We also provide disability and life insurance at no cost. We’ve created an inclusive, safe production and warehouse environment, and we promote a healthy work-life balance. We also make it a point to work with providers that share our same values, such as protecting the environment, prioritizing equity and diversity, and giving back to the community.
We support the local economy by sourcing 100% of the soy wax used in production from the United States. We do our best to source all other components of our products within the US too, including wicks, boxes, labels, and vessels. Furthermore, we also support causes that are important to us and, collaborate with like-minded artists, donating a percentage of revenues to organizations and charities that support women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and human rights.
Environmental Impact
LABELS/CERTIFICATION
Green washing, important to us to be true to our values by being transparent…
WAX
Our candles are made with 100% soy wax. Many candles on the market are made with paraffin wax - paraffin wax is a petroleum by-product, which is an unsustainable, non-renewable resource and one of the main reasons for climate change. The soy wax we use comes from American-grown soybeans, supporting American farmers. Also, using soy wax means that our candles have a cleaner, longer- lasting burn, due to the fact that soy burns at a cooler temperature. Furthermore, studies have also shown that paraffin wax candles may emit toxic fumes when burning, while soy wax is non-toxic, biodegradable and contains only vegetable based ingredients. Soy wax is better for you, your loved ones, and the environment.
FRAGRANCE OILS
We collaborate with multiple high-end fragrance houses based in the United States to create our bespoke fragrances. Our fragrance oils are derived from both natural and high quality synthetic ingredients. We do our best to make sure that the mix of ingredients is just right, so the scent is enjoyable but not hazardous to your health. We source only phthalate-free fragrance oils, which means they are non-toxic to burn. Research has shown that phthalates may be harmful to one's health and may cause birth defects.
While our candles, room mists, and reed diffusers incorporate synthetic fragrance blends, they remain non-toxic. The reality is that working with certain natural fragrances and essential oils can be an unsustainable practice, due to the large quantity of material needed to produce a small amount of fragrance. For example, it takes about 8,000 roses to make 5 milliliters of rose essential oil.
WICKS
While lead core wicks were banned in the United States in 2003, we can confirm that we only use cotton core wicks, primed with vegetable oil. Cotton is a plant-based fiber and is more sustainable than synthetic fibers. Cotton is renewable and supports about 250 million people globally. Other wicks on the market include metal core wicks (tin or aluminum) - non-renewable resources. There are also wicks available that are primed with petroleum, which we do not use for the reasons listed above.
REUSED & REPURPOSED
• Recycling : Boxes
• Upcycling : Vessels
• Manufacturing process conceived to limit waste
Our manufacturing process and products are conceived to limit waste. We work with glass, tin, and ceramic vessels - all of which can be reused and repurposed: Pencil holder, planter, bathroom organizer, the possibilities are endless! The glass vessels and boxes can be recycled.
SHIPPING
We do not use any plastic when shipping our products – only cardboard boxes packed with kraft paper and cellulose wadding as dunnage. Our international logistics center reuses anything they can, from the cardboard boxes to the dunnage. All of these materials are recyclable and/or biodegradable. If you ever find plastic within your shipment (bubble wrap, air pillows, etc.), these have been reused from shipments we received in our studio from another supplier. We would prefer to reuse it than to throw it away.
A NOTE ON SOAP BARS
Our bar soaps are made with 95% naturally-derived ingredients. We worked hard to find a manufacturing partner that shared our beliefs for a safe, sustainable, and high quality product for your face and body. For example, there is no animal testing and no toxic ingredients. Our soaps are safe to use for everyone in your home. They are made in the USA.