Soy wax scented candles often come with big eco claims. Here is a calmer way to look at it. The part of a candle that lasts longest is the jar. A refill lets you keep the jar and replace only the wax. That is a small, real change, and it does not need a bold claim to make it worth knowing about.

Soy Wax Scented Candles: What A Refill Changes

When a candle burns down, the wax is spent but the glass is fine. A refill is a new block of wax made to fit the same jar. The refillable range says its refills let you enjoy a fragrance for longer, or change the scent in your chosen jar colour. It describes the wax as a premium soy wax blend. A blend is a mix of waxes, so read each product page for the details.

A design site, SA Decor and Design, also advised choosing vessels that can be reused with new wax or oil. That is a view from the design press, not research. The Fresh range lists two refillable scents, Woodland Sauna and Cozy Amber & Wool.

What To Do With A Finished Jar

Glass jars are tricky to recycle at home. Banish, an Australian recycling company, says candle containers are not accepted in kerbside recycling, because tempered glass can spoil a recycling batch. That is one company's position, so check with your council.

The Australasian Recycling Label is run by APCO and Planet Ark. It shows which part of a pack goes in which bin, so look for it on packaging.

• Finish a candle before you open the next one
• Refill a jar you love
• Ask your council about glass jars
• Wipe out leftover wax once the jar is cool

Is A Refill Right For You?

A refill suits you if you own a jar you like and buy the same scent again. It suits you less if you like to try a new scent each month. At the time of writing, each refill is listed for less than its matching jar, but prices change, so check the page. If you are still choosing, browse the full candle range first.

Quick answers

Are soy wax scented candles better for the environment?

There is no simple yes. Soy is a plant-based wax, but the whole candle matters, including the jar, wick and packaging. Be wary of any label that gives no source for its claim.

Can you reuse a candle jar?

Many people do, once it is clean, cool and free of cracks or chips. Wipe out leftover wax first. A refill is the easiest way to keep using the jar as a candle.

If you love a jar, a refill is a gentle way to keep it going. Have a look at the refillable collection, then check each product page for the details.

Related reading

• Eco Friendly Scented Candles: Finish Your Last Jar First: a simple habit that wastes less wax
• Natural Scented Candles: Read The Label Before You Trust It: what words like natural can and cannot tell you
• Scented Soy Candles: Is Soot From The Wax Or The Flame?: what causes black marks on a jar