Sustainability
Small choices. Kept every time.
We're a small studio in Cambridge. We can't change the world alone, but we can be careful about what we make, what we leave out, and what we give back.
Some of what we do, you'll never see. It isn't on the label, and it won't change how your candle smells.
We know these things might not mean much to everyone, and that's okay. For us, they matter. They're the reason we do the work the way we do.
Here is all of it, in plain words.
At a glance
- We use non-GMO soy wax
- Paraben and phthalate-free fragrance, made to IFRA standards
- Hand-poured in small batches in Cambridge
- Recyclable boxes and dissolvable packing peanuts
- A tree planted with every order
Why O.L.I.?
Our name comes from the Italian word olio, meaning oil. A nod to the art of scent. The same three letters also hold the way we work.
O.L.I. — Origin. Light. Impact.
O is for Origin. What goes in, and why we choose it.
L is for Light. How it's made, and how it fills your home.
I is for Impact. What it leaves behind, and what we give back.
Origin: what goes in
From field to flame
Our candles are poured with non-GMO soy wax, never paraffin. Non-GMO means the soybeans have not been genetically modified.
Our wax is also ProTerra certified. ProTerra is an independent standard that follows soy from the farm to the finished wax. To be certified, the soy has to meet strict rules:
- It is non-GMO. It's kept separate from modified crops and traced at every step of the supply chain.
- No forest was cleared to grow it. The land can't have been taken from forest or other natural habitat.
- It is farmed responsibly. The farming has to look after the soil, the water and local wildlife.
- It is fair to people. Workers' rights and local communities are protected.
In short, no forest was cleared to grow the wax in your candle. That matters to us more than we can put on a label.
Cleaner fragrance
Scent is the heart of everything we make, so we're careful about what goes into ours.
Free from parabens and phthalates. Parabens are preservatives, and phthalates are sometimes added to make a scent last longer. Many people prefer not to have them in their homes, and neither do we.
Vegan and cruelty-free. We use no animal-derived ingredients, and nothing is tested on animals.
Composed slowly, tested properly. Every scent is blended and tested in our studio before it gets a name. Some take a year of small changes before they're ready. We lean towards scents that feel natural and gentle: herbal, woody, softly floral. Considered, never loud.
High-quality scents. Our oils meet IFRA standards, the international safety guidelines for fragrance. Chosen with the same care as everything else we make.
Light: how it's made
Hand-poured in small batches
Every candle is hand-poured in our Cambridge studio, slowly, one batch at a time. We use premium Italian cotton wicks for a clean, steady burn. No shortcuts, just care in every jar.
Impact: what it leaves behind
Packaging you can recycle
We use recyclable cardboard boxes and dissolvable packing peanuts for travel.
Jars made to live on
Our recycled amber glass is made to be reused long after the last burn. You'll find tips for reusing yours in the questions below.
Posted with Royal Mail
We send our parcels with Royal Mail Tracked 48. Royal Mail reports the lowest carbon emissions per parcel of the major UK delivery companies.
The reason is simple. Postmen and women already walk the same routes every day, so your candle travels with the letters instead of in an extra van. Royal Mail is also adding more electric vans every year.
It isn't always the fastest choice. It's the one that feels right.
A tree with every order
We work with Ecologi, a UK-based climate partner that funds tree-planting projects around the world. There's no extra cost to you, and nothing to tick at checkout.
How it works
- You place an order.
- We fund a tree through Ecologi.
- Ecologi's planting partners put it in the ground, in places where trees are needed most.
- Every tree goes on our public Ecologi profile, so anyone can check it.
Why Ecologi? Because you can check it. Anyone can see the projects and the trees on our public profile. The projects also support the people who plant the trees and look after them.
Honest about where we are
We won't call ourselves carbon neutral or zero waste. A candle is a flame. Glass takes energy to make. Even the greenest delivery still travels.
What we can do is choose carefully, give back every time, and keep getting better. Next, we're working on:
- Refillable candles
- Kinder materials, one box at a time
- Lower-carbon choices at every step, from our supply chain to your door
Questions
Does the tree cost me anything?
No. We cover it on every order.
Where are the trees planted?
Ecologi funds projects around the world, and they change over time. You can see where our trees are going on our Ecologi profile.
What does non-GMO mean?
The soybeans used to make our wax have not been genetically modified.
How do I reuse or recycle my jar?
Add hot water and leave it for 10 minutes. The leftover wax will melt and float to the top. Once the water cools, lift off the wax and put it in the bin, never down the sink. Remove the metal wick tab, then wash in hot soapy water. Use it for cotton buds, a small plant or fresh flowers, or put it in with your glass recycling.
What do I do with the packing peanuts?
They're made from starch, so you can run them under the tap and watch them dissolve, or add them to your compost.
It isn't loud. It isn't perfect. But it's honest, and we're still writing it. Got an idea for how we can do better? Write to us at hello@oliandhome.com.
