The Big Problem with Soy Wax
Posted By PR N.A. & ETHIC
Soy production has grown by 1000% over the last half decade worldwide and its products are marketed as environmentally friendly. While it is true that soy wax is cleaner burning than paraffin, its environmental impact extends further than the burning candle.
Massive Demand Leads to Illegal Deforestation
The soy industry has been linked to illegal deforestation in South America. The rise in demand for soy and the industry being unregulated has led to massive amounts of land being cleared for tilling. The Amazon rainforest has taken the brunt of the deforestation and is still being cleared to meet the demand for soy.
Does GMO Free Soy Wax Actually Exist?
In the United States, another large player in global soy production, no forests are cleared for soy, however it’s virtually impossible to find soy that has not been genetically modified. All the seeds are genetically modified to resist herbicides so farmers can liberally spray it without killing the soy plants. Herbicides, along with chemical fertilizers and pesticides can still be found in trace amounts in the soy wax.
Choose a More Sustainable Alternative
There are alternatives to soy wax that are both environmentally conscious and sustainable. Rapeseed or canola wax is a relatively new player in the market, but it has a considerable lower carbon footprint than soy wax for people living in, or close to Europe. Coconut wax is also available for candles, not to mention that as a crop, coconuts are renewable and sustainable. It’s more eco friendly than soy, but is also a bit more expensive.
