Why Paraffin candle wax is not

eco-friendly

By:

Adalyn Raab

Chloe DeSoignie

Summer Miller

What is Parrafin Wax?

Paraffin wax is a solid wax that is colorless and odorless. Paraffin wax is made up of oil, coal, and oil shale. (A type of rock.) Paraffin wax is used in objects that we come in contact with everyday. (See the next slide.) The wax is not natural, even though it comes from natural sources. Paraffin wax is used for most candles becuase it's cheaper and burns better. One of the downfalls of using paraffin wax in candles is the ingredients in the wax. When some of the ingredients are collected, they can cause global warming. Also, when the wax is burned, the chemicals in the candle can harm humans. Lastly, the wax is not recyclable so a lot of leftover wax end up in the landfill.

recyclable, so a lot of times it ends up

in the landfill.


Manhwa Inspired Study Candle

What Is Paraffin Wax used for?

Paraffin wax is in wax paper, cosmetics, electric insulators, candles, crayons and polishes. It can also be a lubricator. Paraffin wax is used as a base for medical ointments and can be a waterproof coating for wood. Some spas use the wax on their customers hands, cuticles, and feet because it softens the skin. Paraffin coats fruits, vegetables chocolate, and cheeses are sometimes wrapped in it. Paraffin is in gum, also. As you can see, there are a lot of objects that we use everyday that have paraffin in them.

Minimalist Lined Mystic Candle

Why is Paraffin Wax bad in candles?

Petroleum is mined or drilled and used to make paraffin. In many ways, mining harms the environment since it removes the earth. Global warming is brought on by mining, which pollutes the earth. Additionally, burning paraffin wax candles can be fatal. The candle releases numerous toxic fumes when it is burned that are fatal to people. Another way paraffin wax is bad for the environment is when it's disposed of. Since candle wax is not recyclable, when people burn through most of the candle, they just toss the rest of the remaining wax and container in the trash. Each year, over 35 million candle containers end up in the landfill and 8% get recycled. Tin and jar candle containers can be recycled. After Christmas, millions of christmas candles end up in the landfill-what a waste! The average candle burns for 6 hours and it takes thousands of years for a paraffin wax candle to decompose in the landfill. Is it really worth burning a candle for a couple hours, then throwing it away and having the candle sit in the landfill for 100 years? The more natural candles decompose quicker (a lot quicker-they decompose under 60 days!) because they aren't loaded with chemicals.

So, What Can You Do?

One way to help solve this problem is by not buying paraffin wax candles or products with paraffin in them. You can buy natural candles that are good for the environment and your health. Just becuase they're more natural doesn't mean they won't smell as good. Natural candles are more expensive, but I think they're worth the price. More natural candles don't have all those chemicals that harm the human body. The ingredients are also more responsibly sourced, which prevents global warming. Also, a lot of the natural candles are more local and I'd rather support local businesses instead of buying a paraffin candle at a big box store. Some more natural waxes are beeswax, soy wax, and other vegetable waxes. One way to help solve the problem of pollution is after you are done burning a candle, if the container is glass or tin, then you can recycle it. Even better, the glass candle containers can be reused for something else. Also, you can reuse the leftover wax and add it to another candle. It's easy-all you have to do is melt the wax and pour it into another container that has some wax in it. (The waxs have to be the same type.) Whatever you do, DON'T POUR THE WAX DOWN THE DRAIN! It clogs the drain and is a pain to get out.

Q & A

Q: Is paraffin wax biodegradable?

A: No, it's not.


Q: How much time does paraffin wax require to break down?

A: The decomposition of paraffin wax may take several centuries.


Q: What materials does paraffin wax contain?

A: Petroleum is used to make paraffin wax.


Q: What are some possible paraffin wax substitutes?

A: Soy wax, beeswax, and vegetable wax are a few substitutes for paraffin wax.


Q: What is paraffin wax made into?

A: It is used to create candles, wax paper, polishes, cosmetics, electrical insulators.

Conclusion

Overall, paraffin wax is bad because it is not biodegradable and bad for the environment. Also, paraffin is bad in candles because when burned, the wax lets off chemicals like toluene, naphthalene, benzene, pen-ta-decane, tri-decane, hexadecane, and tetra-decane. There is also soot and carbon dioxide that is released into the air when burned. Some of the uses of paraffin include candle wax, crayons, cosmetics, gum, etc. This product is also terrible for the environment because of factors like; taking centuries to decompose, using crude oil and petroleum, and more. Some alternatives to paraffin wax include beeswax, vegetable wax, soy wax, and more. These alternatives are more eco friendly and take less time to decompose.

Sources