Environment
Our path to reducing our impact on the climate
Environment
You cannot make an impact without gaining insight. That is why we analyse* our CO2 emissions every year and evaluate our progress. *In accordance with the standards of the GHSE protocol
Since our first measurements, our CO2 emissions have fallen by no less than 40%. It gives us energy to continue searching for initiatives that further reduce emissions.
Our carbon footprint in figures
Impact
The biggest positive impact we can make at Spaas is by focusing more on renewable raw materials and more sustainable packaging.
Renewable raw materials
At Spaas, we make informed choices when it comes to renewable raw materials. Every day, our team strives to develop high-quality candles that not only burn beautifully and for a long time, but also contain sustainable and responsible ingredients. We list the pros and cons of different raw materials and are happy to show you how Spaas works with them.
- Rapeseed oil
This is oil that comes from rapeseed. The advantages? It is plant-based, renewable and locally grown. In addition, it produces low CO2 emissions during cultivation and this raw material has a low impact on deforestation. The disadvantages? The availability of the raw material is lower and it has a higher price.
Our approach: Strict European environmental regulations apply, which is why we at Spaas have chosen rapeseed oil as the ecological raw material for our candles in the long term. Our R&D team is continuously working on expanding its use in all products.
- Paraffin wax
This is derived from petroleum, a residual product of petrochemicals. The advantages? The residual waste is put to good use. The chemical structure of paraffin wax is also beneficial for colour and odour retention and is ideal for sturdy candles. It has a low impact on water consumption, ozone and deforestation. The disadvantages? Due to its fossil origin, it is not renewable, it has relatively high CO₂ emissions when burned and is not plant-based.
Our approach: Despite the favourable Life-Cycle-Assessment (LCA) test results, we are phasing out the use of paraffin to reduce total CO₂ emissions.
*LCA tests are standardised, scientific methods for measuring the total environmental impact of a product.
- Animal stearin
This is a by-product of animal fat (such as in meat processing). The advantages? The residual products are put to good use. It has a high melting point, which is good for pillar candles, and it has a low carbon footprint. The disadvantages? It is not vegan and its supply is not stable.
Our approach: It is a climate-friendly choice where appropriate and is particularly popular in Scandinavia.
- Palm oil
This is oil from the fruit of the oil palm. The advantages? It is plant-based and renewable with a high yield per hectare. It is affordable and efficient to use. The disadvantages? It is not grown locally and is often the subject of public debate on deforestation and biodiversity.
Our approach: We only use RSPO-certified palm oil and have been a member of the RSPO since 2016.
100% recycled plastic
All our plastic tealight bags are made from 100% recycled plastic (35% PCR, 65% PIR).
- This is the material we useOur plastic tealight bags are made from LDPE plastic (polyethylene): the most commonly used plastic in the world. And that's good news, because it's recyclable! The plastic used is not new. That's good, because it has been used before by other companies and consists of 100% recycled materials. The bag has been made as thin as possible. As a result, we now use 25% less plastic per package than before. This not only saves a lot of energy, but also reduces our CO2 emissions. The tealight cups are made from 50% recycled aluminium. This keeps the candle in shape, but is more difficult to recycle. We are also working on more sustainable solutions for the future.
- Why we choose this materialOf all the materials available, our bag made from recycled LDPE plastic is the most sustainable. Meanwhile, we continue to look further ahead. If we can improve, we do so immediately.
- This lets our hearts burnToday, our best-selling product has the most sustainable packaging.
- This is what we strive forWe strive to use safe, sturdy and yet sustainable packaging. But we also continue to look for new materials or innovations. If we can improve, we will definitely take this on board.
Refillable glasses & sustainable refills
Where design, sustainability and affordability go hand in hand, the most beautiful refillable scented candles are created.
- This is the material we useSpaas scented candles are made in sturdy borosilicate glass. This glass is heat-resistant, shatterproof and will last for years. Perfect for refilling again and again and turning it into a refill concept. The candles are packaged in FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) cardboard boxes. We package the accompanying refills in the thinnest possible protective layer of renewable paper foam, so that they fit safely and beautifully in the glass without creating unnecessary and superfluous extra waste.
- Why we choose this materialGlass combines heat resistance, strength and an elegant look, striking a good balance between quality and reusability. For our paper-based packaging, we strive to use only FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) materials. These are produced sustainably, and the certificate ensures that the wood comes from sustainably managed forests. Refills in a paper foam cup are a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastic cups because they use biodegradable and compostable materials. They are strong and safe.
- This lets our hearts burnOne glass that can have multiple lives with sustainable packaging and refills that mean only the wash needs to be replaced. Who wouldn't be happy with that?
- This is what we strive forFor paper-based packaging, we aim for 100% packaging that is exclusively FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council). Today, more than half of our packaging is already FSC-certified. Glass is infinitely recyclable, but borosilicate is an exception: it cannot be placed in the glass recycling bin. Thanks to refills, you can give it multiple lives. However, we are constantly working towards better materials to operate more sustainably, including in glassware.
FSC-certified cardboard
For paper-based packaging, we aim for 100% packaging that is exclusively FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council). Today, more than half of our packaging is already FSC-certified.
- This is the material we useWe still use plastic to ensure the visibility of our products. This allows you to immediately see our high-quality candles in the shop. For strength, we package our candles in recycled cardboard. Thanks to this extra layer, the foil can be thinner: it is only half as thick as that used in other types of packaging for tealights. This means less plastic, which we consider a good balance.
- Why we choose this materialThis material is sturdy and shock-absorbent, so you need less plastic to protect the products. It has a smart corrugated structure, which is stronger and lighter than flat cardboard. It is produced sustainably, as it is made from renewable raw materials. And it is certified as responsible, with, among other things, an FSC certificate for wood from sustainably managed forests.
- This lets our hearts burnBoth the tray and the foil are fully recyclable. An important side note here: you must first take them apart and sort them correctly. The cardboard is made from renewable raw materials, sustainably grown and FSC-certified.
- This is what we strive forEvery day, we explore opportunities to become even more sustainable and seek solutions to develop this type of packaging without plastic. Our innovation and sustainability teams work together to find the best solutions.
Read our sustainability report
Sustainability report
Download our sustainability report
