Carbon footprint of wax candles: full life cycle analysis

Candles made from petroleum

The majority of votive candles used in churches are made from paraffin, a by-product of petroleum refining. This material, cheap and easy to mould, became the industry standard in the 20th century, gradually replacing beeswax and animal fats.

The problem is fundamental: burning a paraffin candle literally means burning petroleum. Combustion releases CO2, fine particles, and various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the church atmosphere and, ultimately, into the environment.

The full life cycle of a votive candle

1. Extraction and refining

Paraffin is obtained during crude oil refining. This process is extremely energy-intensive and generates greenhouse gas emissions at every stage: crude extraction (often in the Middle East or Russia), maritime transport to European refineries, then refining and separation of the paraffin fraction.

2. Manufacturing

Transforming raw paraffin into votive candles involves:

• Melting and purifying the wax
• Adding chemical dyes and stabilisers
• Moulding into plastic cups (themselves derived from petroleum)
• Inserting wicks with metal supports
• Packaging in cardboard boxes and pallets under plastic film

Most votive candle manufacturers for churches are based in Poland, China or Italy. Each manufacturing stage adds its share of carbon emissions.

3. Transport and distribution

Transporting candles to Swiss or French churches accounts for a significant portion of the carbon footprint. Candles are heavy (wax is dense) and bulky. They travel by truck from Eastern Europe or by cargo ship from Asia, then are redistributed by ecclesiastical wholesalers.

For a parish ordering refills every month, this means 12 deliveries per year, often in small quantities — the worst scenario in terms of logistical efficiency.

4. Combustion

Combustion itself is the most impactful phase. Burning 1 kg of paraffin releases approximately 3.1 kg of CO2. For a church using 40 candles per day (approximately 20 g each), this means:

• 800 g of paraffin per day
• 292 kg of paraffin per year
• Approximately 905 kg of CO2 directly emitted inside the church each year

On top of this come fine particles (PM2.5) and soot, which not only pollute indoor air but also damage walls, paintings and organs — generating additional restoration costs with their own carbon footprint.

5. End of life and waste

As detailed in our article on zero waste in churches, plastic cups, wax residue and metal wicks end up in landfill or incineration. Incinerating plastics and residual wax releases yet more CO2 and pollutants.

Annual carbon footprint of a traditional candle holder

Combining all life cycle stages, a church using a 40-candle traditional votive system generates approximately:

• Extraction and refining: 150-200 kg CO2/year
• Manufacturing: 80-120 kg CO2/year
• Transport: 50-100 kg CO2/year
• Combustion: ~905 kg CO2/year
• End of life: 30-50 kg CO2/year

Estimated total: 1,200 to 1,375 kg of CO2 per year for a single votive candle station. That is the equivalent of 7,000 km by car.

Carbon footprint of an LED candle holder

The 40-candle LumignonLED LED candle holder presents a radically different profile:

Manufacturing (one-time impact)

The candle holder is manufactured in Switzerland, which drastically reduces transport. The components — metal structure, LED circuits, push buttons — have an estimated manufacturing carbon impact of 50 to 100 kg of CO2. This impact is amortised over the entire product lifespan, which is measured in decades.

Usage

Plugged into 230V mains, the candle holder consumes a negligible amount of electricity. Modern LEDs are among the most efficient light sources in existence. With the Swiss electricity mix (largely hydroelectric and renewable), usage emissions are on the order of a few kilograms of CO2 per year.

No consumables

With a lifespan of 50,000 hours per LED candle, there is no regular replacement, no transport of refills, no packaging waste. The life cycle boils down to: manufacture, single delivery, years of use.

10-year comparison

Here is the quantified comparison over a decade for a 40-candle station:

• Traditional candles: 12,000 to 13,750 kg of CO2 (over 13 tonnes)
• LumignonLED LED candle holder: 100 to 150 kg of CO2 (manufacturing + electricity)

That is a reduction of over 98% in greenhouse gas emissions. The LED candle holder offsets its manufacturing footprint in less than two months of use compared to the traditional solution.

Beyond CO2: air quality

The carbon footprint is only part of the problem. Paraffin candles also emit:

• Toluene and benzene (carcinogenic compounds)
• Fine particles PM2.5 that penetrate deep into the lungs
• Soot that blackens walls and deteriorates artworks
• Acrolein, a respiratory irritant

In an enclosed space like a church, even a well-ventilated one, these pollutants accumulate. Worshippers who spend time in prayer near the candles are directly exposed. The LED candle holder eliminates 100% of these emissions.

A choice that speaks for itself

In the face of the climate emergency and the ecological responsibility borne by institutions, switching to LED candles is no longer a luxury — it is self-evident. The encyclical Laudato Si' invites Christian communities to act concretely for the planet. Replacing paraffin candles with LED candles is one of the simplest and most effective actions a parish can take.

To discover how to modernise your church without losing tradition, or to obtain a quote for your parish, contact our team.