Bring a used candle, and get a discount!
Hello Candor fam!
One of our goals for this season has been to document some of the amazing circular practices that our vendors are involved in. One such example is Sybil from Glo Candle Studio, who we recently spoke to about her recycled candle initiative.
The initiative began when the large manufacturer supplying Sybil’s repurposed wax stopped selling it, leading her to look elsewhere for sustainable sources of candle wax. After receiving a beautiful set of burnt orange candles as a gift, an idea formed. There was a substantial amount of wax left over after burning, which Sybil decided to remelt in her kitchen, to create something new.
”I mentioned this to friends and family, and soon, word spread," Sybil revealed. "People started giving me their old candles—and even some candle-making equipment. Before I knew it, I had enough to start selling my creations."
What began as an attempt to minimise waste, turned into a solution to a supply problem. Now, the majority of the wax that Sybil uses is repurposed from candles which have been donated to her.
Upon receiving the donations, Sybil carefully sorts the used wax, combining it with virgin (pure & unrefined) wax, to create fresh colours and shades. She also occasionally enhances the hues with candle dye, when needed. The wax is then filtered to remove any impurities before being poured into a mould.
"One challenge is that certain types of wax don't blend well, sometimes leading to defects," Sybil mentioned. And in the spirit of circularity, any wax that is too dirty to reuse is mixed with used tea bags, and repurposed into firelighters.
Although this recycling initiative significantly reduces waste, it’s not a completely closed loop.
"I still supplement with virgin wax when donations aren't sufficient. My goal is to eventually rely entirely on repurposed wax", Sybil explained.
To move closer to this goal, Sybil now offers a 15% discount to all customers who bring in their used candles. "I think customers are more inclined to participate when there's something offered in return," she reflected, explaining that "people might see their old candles recycled into new ones."
We asked Sybil if she has noticed any changes in customers’ attitudes towards sustainability and recycling since introducing this initiative, and to our delight, she has!
“People respond positively when they learn that my candles are made from recycled wax. It sparks conversations and makes them more aware of how everyday items can be repurposed. Some customers have already started bringing in their used candles, and as awareness grows, I believe even more people will take part.”
So next time you visit a Candor Market and Sybil is there, make sure to pay her a visit, and witness firsthand how she has transformed waste into something beautiful and brand new…and don’t forget to bring a used candle for a 15% discount!
With love,
TCM Crew
