We’ve all seen the news... the world needs some extra help to stay healthy, and we are up for the challenge! Sustainability has always been one of our top priorities here at Kalamazoo Candle Co. which is why we carefully consider every element that goes into our candles to monitor the impact they have on the environment. Listen, guys, sustainability is more than just a trending hashtag— it’s something we should all be thinking about every day, especially businesses. Early on, we decided that it would be part of our brand mission to try to eliminate waste and create eco-friendly products... but it wasn’t easy. Over the years, we developed a six-step process that we follow to ensure our products are as green as possible.
Don’t worry, we’ll break it down for you.
Jars, Tins, and Lids
Let’s start with the containers, shall we? It’s important to us to be able to recycle as much as we can, but we also want to inspire our customers to do the same. The best way to do that? Make it really easy. We’ve created a Wood Lid Return Program here that allows our customers to return their wooden lids after they’ve used them which significantly cuts down on the excess waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
We’ve also partnered with other local businesses (like Mason Jar Plant Shop) to encourage people to find creative (and useful) ways to repurpose their jars and tins.
For more on that, definitely check out this other blog for some DIY home decor inspiration.
Leftovers
Who doesn’t love leftovers, right? No, this isn’t last night’s Thai food (although, YUM). Our “leftover” candles are made with hand-poured layers of our scented, 100% natural soy wax that remain after a production run. This enhanced eco-friendly option is truly a compilation of all your candle favorites, since each layer is poured, left to harden, and then topped with another “left over” fragrance after the next run. These candles create a truly one-of-a-kind experience because you’ll get three or four of our Kalamazoo Candle fragrances in one jar. Kind of like going to a buffet and getting to try a bite of everything, right? Plus, you’ll know that your favorite home decor item is helping the environment, and who doesn’t love that?
Fire Starters
Our Fire Starters are our latest and greatest environmentally-friendly push and we’re pretty excited about it. We’ve developed entirely natural fire starters made of natural soy wax and paper that can add your favorite Kalamazoo Candle scent to any fire. Yep, that’s right. Whether you’re outside camping, or curling up in front of a fireplace with a book, you’ll be able to indulge with your favorite fragrance. If you’re looking for a sustainable gift idea for the pyro in your life, this is it.
Cardboard
Even though we already recycle cardboard, we wanted to create a way to either decrease or completely eliminate cardboard waste altogether. Not to toot our own horn, but we came up with a pretty great way to do just that. Every time you open up your Kalamazoo Candle Company delivery, look at what your products are wrapped in. That packing material in the box that keeps your candles safe is all recycled cardboard shipping boxes.
(Pro Tip: store this packing material to use for sending holiday gifts to long-distance friends and family as another way to recycle some planet-friendly packaging)
Pallets
If you’ve ever worked in manufacturing then you already know the sustainability dilemma that is wooden pallets. Once you’re done with them... where do they go? You guessed it— in a landfill— and that just won’t do. We’re lucky enough to share a city with MRC Industries, a craftsman and disability services organization, who works with us to repurpose these pallets and give them a second chance to be useful.
Keeping It Local
Finally, we just do whatever we can to keep things local. Over the years, we have worked tirelessly to build relationships with as many local suppliers and craftsmen as possible and acquire goods that have been made in the good old U.S of A. That’s right. From the jars to the lids, the wax to the wicks, all of the supplies in your favorite candles are 100% American-made.
We love what we do here, and it makes us proud to create products that have been designed with sustainability in mind. That being said, we’re not done. Our team is constantly looking for new and inventive ways to reduce waste and inspire others to do the same.
If you have an innovative recycling idea or would like to partner with us in creating a healthier, more eco-friendly world, we’d love to talk!
Send us a message on any of our social media, or an email here.
