Soybeans are known as “king beans” due to their popularity around the world.
Candles are made with soy pillar wax now a common practice
But is it sustainable?
Soy wax is sustainable when compared with synthetic waxes, such as paraffin. But it is not the most durable option when compared to other natural oils.
Is Soywax Produced Sustainably?
Soy wax comes out of the oil of soybeans and is very simple to make. Here is the brief summary:
- Soybeans may be obtained from soy plants.
- After harvesting is complete, the beans must be cleaned, cracked, and dehulled.
- The resulting soybeans are rolled into small flakes.
- The soybean oil is extracted through a mechanical process.
- The oil is then hydrogenated. This turns it into the wax.
- The general process of making soy wax is quite simple.
But is this sustainable? Soybean demand has increased to:
- Massive deforestation
- Soil erosion
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Lower water quality
- Negative social outcomes
Is Soy Wax Eco Friendly?
Eco-friendliness and sustainability go hand-in-hand. If something’s not sustainable, it often isn’t also eco-friendly.
Here are some potential problems that can arise from the way that soybeans have been grown.
- Deforestation
Deforestation refers the removal of trees, other vegetation, and/or a portion of land in order to make it more suitable to grow soybeans.
- Soil Erosion
Growing soybeans year after another can cause soil to erode and become more erodible.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
When soybeans are processed for different products, greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere by machinery and other machines.
- Lower Water Quality
All chemicals, including pesticides and fertilizers, are used to control the soybean crop, decrease diseases, and improve yield.
- Negative Social Impact
More people are moving away from their homes due to land use and pollution. This is especially true for smaller farmers and locals.
Soy Wax Is Ethically Sourced
If a product has been ethically sourced it means it was obtained in a responsible way and is sustainable.
You have just seen the negative impacts that growing soybeans could have on the environment.
Ethical sourcing doesn’t only mean sustainability. It includes ensuring that workers who grow soybeans and make soy wax are treated fairly.
The following are examples of ethical treatment: no child labor; fair wages; safe working conditions.
A label that certifies a soy wax product organic is a good indicator of sustainability.
Is Soy Wax Natural?
Soy Wax is natural because it comes directly from plants.
All products can, in a certain sense, be considered natural products. Even synthetic products that are petroleum byproducts come from a natural source of crude oil.
Although soy wax is considered a natural product, this does not mean that it is 100% natural.
Is Soy Wax A Vegetable Wax?
Yes, soy wax can be considered a vegetable wax as it is made with the oil of soybeans.
Is Soy Wax Recyclable
It is impossible to recycle wax of any kind, including soy. This is due to its consistency.
Machines that process sticky wax are not designed for recycling. It can block machines and cause them to stop working.
It is safer to discard any type of wax.
What Can Soy Wax Be Used For?
While candles are the main use of soy wax, they can also make beauty products.
Soy wax is naturally moisturizing due to its natural origin in soybean oil. It can be used as a plant-based ingredient in lotions and other products for the skin, as well in cosmetics like lip balms.
