What makes a candle "green"?

Soy candles have been gaining popularity since Michael Richards first developed the technology to use natural hydrogenated soybean oil from soy beans in the 1990's. This technology allowed using natural vegetable wax from soybeans grown right here in the U.S.A. to manufacture soy candles. Soy wax burns cleaner than paraffin, burns longer, produces less soot than paraffin, uses cotton, paper-cored, or hemp wicks, and it's easy to use and clean up. Soy wax burns at a lower temperature than paraffin, and you can even melt it in the microwave.

Soy wax is a totally renewable resource, instead of paraffin, which is a by-product of the crude oil refining process. Paraffin contains chemicals used in the refining process, and when burned, emits those chemicals. Most soy waxes are organic, and are labeled as such. Most of the soy beans are grown in the Midwest, with Iowa being the largest producer of soy wax. With the availability of natural vegetable waxes, numerous soy candle home-based businesses sprouted - both in retail stores and Online businesses.

Over the past few years, the "green" movement has prompted the largest of U.S. candle manufacturers to develop their "natural" lines. When there is money to be made, and growing consumer demand, why not? Some manufacturers even promote the green movement with their soy wax line of candles. But, in reviewing these candle products, some are made with soy wax, dyes and fragrance oils; some are made with a soy/paraffin blend with essential oils, and some products - you can't even tell what is in them. It's a bit confusing to me. Are all the ingredients natural? Are they really "green"?

So what makes a candle "natural" or "green" or "organic" in the labeling, in order to market the product effectively? According to the Natural Ingredient Resource Center, there are established "guidelines" that mirror those used by the USDA for organic food, and are inspired by other organizations that are working to establish the term "organic" for cosmetic products. There are currently 3 guidelines to be used in labeling products with natural ingredients:

1. 100% Natural/All Natural
The NIRC guidelines state that products labeled as "100% Natural" or "All Natural" can only contain ingredients that fit the NIRC criteria for natural ingredients.

2. Natural
The NIRC guidelines states that products labeled as "Natural" have to include 95% of the ingredients that fit the NIRC criteria for natural ingredients.

3. Made with Natural Ingredients/Made from Natural Ingredients
Products labeled as "Made with/from Natural Ingredients" must contain at least 70% natural ingredients that meet the NIRC criteria. The remaining 30% may come from ingredients that do not meet the NIRC for natural, however, products that include synthetic fragrances, artificial colors or ingredients from petrochemicals MAY NOT display the NIRC "Seal". All percentages are based on weight.

There has been a bit of confusion in labeling and marketing "green" and "natural" products. So if going "green" to you means 100% natural, look for the NIRC seal in purchasing your products. In looking for your candle products, read the label, look at the waxes, look at what is used for the essential oils/fragrance oils. Just because the label states that the candle has "essential oils" does not mean that it is 100% essential oils. Same thing with soy wax. Just because it contains soy wax, does not mean it's 100% soy wax, or "natural". I find these guidelines helpful in understanding the labeling, when purchasing "natural" or "green" candles. If you're contemplating or already making your own soy candle lines, take the NIRC criteria into consideration in labeling and marketing.