Candles Love Soy!

After much thought and deliberation, we have discontinued the use of Palm Wax. Although there is a lot of “greenwashing” regarding how palm wax is sustainable and renewable, and if you use palm wax from the roundtable of sustainable palm oil, it is supposidly not harming forests or ecological biodiversity.

I call Bull$hit, sorry if that term offends you, but if it stinks lets call it what it is.  Sure, once AN AREA IS CLEARED IN ORDER TO GROW PALM OIL, it may be “sustainable and renewable” but lets not forget, that the natural forests and jungles had to be cleared in the first place. How is it renewable and sustainable when you virtually wipe out dozens, if not hundreds, of rare, exotic plants and animals? Oh, but you only did it once, so then its ok?

I feel horribly about buying into the propoganda. There are still many Killings of Orangutans for Palm Oil Development.

The (Indonesian) Forestry Department’s conservation director, Toni Soehartono, admitted the practice was widespread but urged understanding of its motivations.

“I’m sure that happens — in order to establish palm oil land companies clear forests, which causes the death of fauna such as orang-utans and gibbons in Kalimantan, and elephants, tigers and others, including orang-utans, in Sumatra,” Dr Soehartono said.
“But all development requires sacrifice — we just have to make it equal to some extent.”

That in itself is enough to make my stomach turn, but then add:

*  Rainforest destruction is still out of control. (This year Indonesia will be included in the Guinness Book of Records as the country which pursues the highest annual rate of deforestation. Currently an area of forest equal to 300 soccer fields is being destroyed every hour in the country) EVERY HOUR!

* Fires are burning across Borneo and Sumatra, fueling global warming (Indonesia is the third highest carbon emitter due to peatland fires.) {editors note: its my opinion that global warming is a “greenwashing” item in itself, but I leave this in here, as fires burning incessantly definitely contribute to air pollution}

* Both orangutan species are within 20 years of extinction in the wild (killed daily in palm oil plantations)

* Social conflict and human-rights’ abuses are commonly associated with oil palm expansion more - who usually suffer’s most in this scenario? Women and children.

* Severe environmental pollution is associated with palm oil processing

….

In light of all this, I have removed palm oil from our catalog and product line, and will not carry it again. We are researching an alternative for pillars, and will post about it when we come up with a suitable replacement.  Thank you for your understanding!

-Jen

..information sourced from http://www.palmoilaction.org.au/

We’re moving!! This change is long overdue - instead of having two facility’s, we will now have one.

This last year has been exceptionally difficult for me personally, I got divorced, am now a single mom of 4, but more importantly, I lost my dad and business partner to the devastating and cruel disease of MS (multiple sclerosis). It’s been a very difficult transition not having his insight and business know-how, and mainly just not having his companionship. His presence has been pivotal throughout this journey of sculpting Caterpillars into the business it now is. Consequently, I’ve decided to move closer to my family, and to our second location, which will become our first/only candleshop.  I have a new business plan and feel confident that good things are in store for Caterpillars in 2010!!

We are currently closed and not accepting any new orders.  All orders that have been placed are being processed and we hope to have them all shipped by Monday January 11th.  We will re-open on or around January 20th.

Thank you for your patience and for your business! We wouldn’t be where we are without our great and loyal customers!

Also, we currently have no way to access our voicemail so if you need to reach us, or have been trying, please send email to sales {at} caterpillars candles [dot] com.

Kindly,

Jennifer

I’ve been saying it for years, finally, a new study confirms what many in the candle industry already knew, but are afraid to admit. Burning paraffin based candles, even soy “blends”, could potentially contribute to you getting cancer. It is an unrecognized source of exposure to indoor air pollution, including the known human carcinogens, benzene and toulene, scientists report.

In the study by  South Carolina State University, R. Massoudi Ph.D., and Amid Hamidi , Ph.D., said that that candles made from bee’s wax or soy, although more expensive, apparently are healthier. They do not release potentially harmful amounts of indoor air pollutants while retaining all of the warmth, ambience and fragrance of paraffin candles (which are made from petroleum).

“An occasional paraffin candle and its emissions will not likely affect you,” Hamidi said. “But lighting many paraffin candles every day for years or lighting them frequently in an un-ventilated bathroom around a tub, for example, may cause problems.”

Besides the more serious risks, he also suggested that some people who believe they have an indoor allergy or respiratory irritation may in fact actually be reacting to air pollutants from burning candles.

For more information, visit our soy candle facts or benefits of soy candles page.

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A similar article, posted on cnn.com has a comment from the National Candle Association, stating they have done their own tests on various types of candles, and have concluded that paraffin is a “safe” option.  I’d just like to point out such a reaction is expected because the oil industry has assumed a very dominant position in the candle manufacturing business. The oil industry not only sells their byproducts to the candle industry but also has four members sitting on the board of the National Candle Association.

- original news article

Enter below to win a new Carmen Jar in your choice of fragrance! The winner was Gloria Turner. Congatulations!

1. To enter, comment on this post about why you would like to win this new jar in a few sentences or less. If you include a link on your blog about this contest or include it on your facebook, twitter or other networking site, you may enter as many as five times. Please include the link.

2. You must fill out your full name and email address in the comment section (your email will not be published and will not be used for any purpose other than this contest unless you opt-in to receive our newsletter).

3. United States residents only.

4. Winner Will be announced February 1st around Noon pst.

The winner of our Contest is Lauren at http://canubapartofmylife.blogspot.com Thanks everyone for entering!

Check out this wicked Angled Jar - we’re deciding whether or not to add them to the lineup for 2009. You can win one of your very own! It’s been burn-tested and burns very smoothly all the way down, with no waste. We just need to know if you would like it in your home. Could you do me a favor and let me know in the comments below? You don’t have to enter to comment, but if you want to enter, here’s how:

1. To enter, comment on this post about why you would like to try this new jar in a few sentences or less. If you include a link on your blog about this contest or include it on your facebook, twitter or other networking site, you may enter as many as five times. Please include the link.

2. You must fill out your full name and email address in the comment section (your email will not be published and will not be used for any purpose other than this contest unless you opt-in to receive our newsletter).

3. Contest will end at 6:40pm, Pacific Time, December 26, 2008.

4. United States residents only.

Yay - yay - we have a new addition! You can see it on our homepage - they’re new Sparkle Candles - and wow - they’re pretty sweet. A new twist on an old favorite - the palm wax pillar.

One of our long-time customers gave us the idea last year, and we ran with it. (thanks Matt!)

If you order a sparkle pillar, we’ll even throw in a matching sparkle tin.

Don’t just take my word for it, go check it out.

You had better hurry up though, these are only going to be here throught December 15th.

These charming status jars have been a huge hit at quite a few weddings lately, including at my cousin’s recent wedding.

They haven’t had their own product page up until now, and had to be ordered as a special request. Not quite as much fun or as exciting as viewing them on their own special page. Not anymore You can choose to have them packaged in organza bags, so they’re ready for your occasion right out of the box! Choose from ivory, pink, blue, or lavender.

Volume Discounts for large quantities!