Chaconia Candles is a registered member of the New Jersey Sustainable Business Registry by the Department of Environmental Protection.
We believe that sustainability is not just a buzzword but a way of life. We are committed to making a positive impact on the planet and the community we serve. We recognize that our actions today have a direct impact on tomorrow, which is why we are dedicated to implementing sustainable practices in every aspect of our business. From sourcing eco-friendly materials to reducing waste and emissions, we are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and improve our environmental impact. We believe that sustainability is not just an individual effort but a collaborative one. We work closely with our suppliers, partners, and customers to create a sustainable community that cares for the planet. By supporting local communities and investing in sustainable practices, we aim to create a better today and tomorrow for everyone. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the planet and the community, and we invite you to join us on this journey toward a more sustainable future.
As a registered member of the New Jersey Sustainable Business Registry, collectively with other registered sustainable small businesses, this has resulted in the following savings for the state of New Jersey:
- $28 million
- 114,865,423 gallons of water
- 117,438,645 pounds of waste
- 1,140,754 gallons of gasoline
- 9,348,216 total miles traveled
- 110,163,464 kilowatt-hours, and
- 75,990 metric tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas reduction
Our sustainability efforts include:
1. **Carbon-Neutral Shipping:** We offer carbon-neutral shipping, collaborating with like-minded businesses to remove thousands of tons of carbon emissions. For every order, we calculate estimated shipping emissions and allocate a portion of our revenue to vetted carbon removal companies. Any surplus funds support the development of advanced carbon removal technologies.
2. **Supplier Partnerships:** We partner with suppliers who provide carbon-neutral shipping, supporting projects that offset greenhouse gas emissions.
3. **Local Sourcing:** We reduce our carbon footprint by sourcing supplies from local companies. Whenever possible, we personally pick up these supplies to minimize transportation emissions.
4. **Eco-Friendly Wax Blend:** Our candles are made from a sustainable coconut wax blend, which includes coconut, soy, and a small amount of food-grade paraffin. This highly refined paraffin enhances the performance of our wax while remaining in the natural category.
5. **Nontoxic Ingredients:** We conduct extensive research to ensure our ingredients are nontoxic and that our suppliers align with our mission and sustainable practices.
6. **Strategic Purchasing:** We plan our purchases strategically, often buying in bulk to reduce shipping frequency. While not always feasible, we look ahead about three months to optimize our supply chain.
7. **Biodegradable Packing Peanuts:** Our packing peanuts are biodegradable and decompose in water, leaving no toxic waste.
8. **Reusable Vessels:** Our jars, tins, and bottles can be reused, repurposed, or recycled. For more information, please refer to each product category.
9. **Recycled Labels:** Most of our labels are made from recycled matte white paper, processed chlorine-free, and printed with soy-based ink.
10. **Energy Efficiency:** We maximize sunlight and minimize electricity usage when making our candles and home fragrances, all while operating as a small business from home.
11. **Recycling Practices:** We recycle and upcycle boxes from our orders and any packing materials we receive.
12. **Upcycled Packing Peanuts:** We upcycle biodegradable packing peanuts used for shipping our fragrance oils.
13. **Recycled Materials:** We recycle boxes we don’t repurpose, as well as our fragrance oil bottles.
14. **Sustainable Packaging Tape:** We use branded gummed paper tape instead of polypropylene plastic packaging tape. Our tape is water-activated, sturdy, and tamper-proof, aligning perfectly with our commitment to sustainability.
15. **Revamped Packaging:** Our packaging for candles and home fragrances has been revamped to include fully recyclable corrugated boxes with streamlined inserts, eliminating the need for shredded paper and reducing the use of packing peanuts and supplies.
16. **FSC® Certified Labels:** Our shipping labels are FSC® Certified, ensuring that the wood used is responsibly harvested from environmentally and socially beneficial forests.
17. **Plastic Recycling:** While some supplies, like our coconut wax blend, may arrive in plastic packaging, we recycle this plastic using Terracycle's Zero Waste box.
18. **Eco-Friendly Workshops:** During our candle-making workshops, participants receive aprons that are washed using nontoxic and biodegradable Earth Breeze laundry detergent. We also use their dishwasher tablets for cleaning our pitchers and supplies.
19. **Recycled Glass Vessels:** We have sourced new reed diffuser vessels made from stylish amber recycled glass bottles.
We are here for all of it! A little research goes a little way to becoming more sustainable. Any suggestions for us? Please reach out to us at info@chaconiacandles.com.
Join us on this journey towards a better today and tomorrow.