Ethical & Sustainable
We've gone to great lengths to ensure that every aspect of our products are as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible. From our all-natural wax, right down to our compostable labels, we tracked down the most conscience suppliers in the world to ensure you can feel good about what you are buying at Retreat.
Although we aren't perfect yet, we'll continue to put pressure on ourselves and our suppliers to get as close to zero-waste as possible, while using increasingly sustainable materials, and making sure all processes and products remain cruelty-free.
Read more about our product and efforts below.
The Wax
After testing 11 different types of wax, from 100% soy, to soy blends, to soy/paraffin blends, we simply weren't satisfied with performance, and equally as important weren't satisfied with their environmental impact in the production process. After a lot of testing (and frustrating nights...and wine-drinking), we landed on our favourite and what we believe is the best wax on the market. Our super-premium vegan blend of natural coconut and soy wax (plus the secret ingredient we add to it) is obtained via a natural process (and no, it doesn't smell like coconuts).
It burns slowly, cleanly, and gives off the perfect amount of fragrance. A winning combination that we were willing to pay the premium price for. Well worth it in our eyes, and hopefully yours too!
The Wicks
All wood used for our wooden wicks is sourced from FSC-certified Mills. What does this mean? FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council and they are an independent, non-profit organization that protects forests for future generations.
FSC is the gold standard in forest certification, it is the only system supported by groups such as WWF, Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Natural Resources Defense Council and National Wildlife Federation.
They emit a soothing crackling sound as well.
The Fragrances
We take a lot of care in providing only the best ingredients for our premium candles, and it's only fitting that we work with the only Master Perfumer in Canada to custom create all fragrances exclusively for Retreat.
Our fragrances are Phthalate-free. Phthalates used in fragrance oils, known as DEP (Diethyl Phthalate), are solvents used to extend the aromatic strength of the candle fragrance oil. Products that include phthalates are increasingly becoming a concern to consumers due to certain types within the group being labeled as potentially having negative effects on human health. DEP has however been found to be non-toxic in candles if used at safe levels. But why take the risk? All of our fragrances are free of Phthalates.
Our Packaging
No plastic! Our shipping boxes, tissue paper, and labels come from post-consumer recyclables. More so, the inks used are soy-based inks and pose minimal to no threat to the environment. Even our shipping tape is made of paper. Lastly, all of these materials are not only recyclable, but can be used for composting as well.
We will continue to put pressure on ourselves, and our suppliers, to deliver our packaging as sustainably as possible. We have even asked that all product shipped to Retreat no longer contain plastic packing material.
Zero-waste
Zero-waste is a goal that is designed to manage products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them. Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health.
Our candles come with seed-paper so you can re-use the jars to grow a few wildflowers for your window sill afterwards (or if you're me, give it a wash and use it as a whiskey glass). All other products can be re-used, recycled, or composted in some way shape or form.
Cruelty-free
None of our products are tested on animals, at the finished product level, nor at the ingredient level. We assure you that no pigs will be harmed in the making of our Bacon candle (coming soon). None of our products contain animal by-product ...right down to the adhesive we use to bind the wick holder to the jar. Meow.
