How We Think About Sustainability

Sustainability at Sweetwick is not a marketing checkbox — it is a constraint we design around from the beginning. Every decision we make, from the wax we source to the way we package our candles, gets held against one question: does this add unnecessary harm?

Here is where we stand today — and where we are headed.

What We Have Already Built In

Renewable Wax

We use a blend of beeswax and coconut wax — two of the most renewable candle wax options available. Beeswax is a natural byproduct of beekeeping; our suppliers prioritize hive health and sustainable harvesting. Coconut wax is cold-pressed from coconuts grown in established groves with no deforestation required. Both are fully biodegradable.

We chose not to use soy wax — despite its natural reputation — because the majority of soy cultivation is linked to deforestation and heavy pesticide use. Coconut wax has a significantly cleaner environmental profile.

Clean Ingredients, Clean Air

Paraffin candles release benzene, toluene, and other harmful compounds when burned. None of that happens with Sweetwick. A sustainable product is also a non-toxic one.

Reusable Glass Vessels

Every Sweetwick candle is poured into a glass jar designed to outlast the candle. We chose a classic, functional shape so the jar stays genuinely useful long after the last burn. Not needing to recycle something is better than recycling it.

Minimal Packaging

Our shipping packaging uses recycled cardboard with soy-based inks. No tissue paper, no unnecessary inserts, no single-use plastic. The candle arrives protected — and nothing more.

Small-Batch Production

We pour in small batches by design. Overproduction is one of the most common and underreported sources of waste in consumer goods. Making what we can actually sell means nothing sits in a warehouse and eventually gets discarded.

What We Are Working Toward

• Carbon-neutral shipping — We are evaluating offset programs and lower-emission carrier options. No announcement until it is in place.
• Compostable outer packaging — We are testing kraft paper alternatives that maintain the quality our customers expect.
• Candle refill program — We want to offer wax refills for returned jars. Logistics are the challenge; we are working on it.
• Reforestation partnerships — We are identifying organizations whose work is verifiable and measurable, not just symbolic.

A Note on Honesty

We will not claim to be a sustainable brand in broad terms, because no company with a physical product and a shipping operation is truly neutral. What we can do is make better choices at every step and be transparent about the ones we have not solved yet.

If you have questions about our sourcing or practices, reach out. We will give you a straight answer.