This holiday season, we’re inviting you to get extra cozy, indulge your senses, and of course, plant some trees with our limited edition candle collaboration with Mala. A female-founded, Vancouver-based brand, we’re thrilled to be partnering with Mala to bring you three exclusive sustainable winter candles: Shortbread, Log Cabin, and Winter Spice.
Designed with scents that evoke cherished holiday memories, these candles are a delight to the senses — and are eco-friendly to boot. Mala uses an ethically sourced blend of soy and coconut wax, ensuring the integrity of the land where they source their ingredients. And unlike conventional candles, Mala uses FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certified wood wicks, ensuring no harmful chemicals are released into your home. Plus, each candle plants ten trees, making this collection the perfect sustainable holiday gift (or treat to yourself).
Featured: The Mala x tentree Candle Collaboration
We caught up with the founder of Mala, Melody Lim, to learn more about the brand, her favourite scent from the holiday collection and some of her tried-and-true sustainability and relaxation rituals.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your journey creating Mala?
My journey with Mala started long before I launched the brand in late 2019. I think my innate love for candles stems from my aunt (who was living in my childhood home’s basement at the time). She burned candles on the daily, and naturally, candles soon became a part of my everyday routine as I grew older.
What inspired the creation of Mala, however, started back in 2016 with a local candle maker that I met in Milos, Greece. When I was studying abroad, it was there I learned and fell in love with the process of candle making. I decided right then and there that I wanted to take a swing at making candles! So, the year I came back from studying, I dove head first into all things candle making.
Q: For someone who is new to sustainable candles, what would you recommend looking for or avoiding when scanning ingredients?
After diving deeper into my research while learning how to make candles, I uncovered a few ugly truths about the industry, namely, that some mass-produced candles can actually be made from toxic ingredients such as paraffin wax and lead wicks.
Taking a more conscientious approach, we create candles using only safe ingredients like natural coconut soy wax, lead-free wicks, phthalate and paraben-free fragrances, and minimal earth-friendly packaging.
Q: What sustainability tips or tricks do you try to incorporate into your daily life?
These are a few easy tricks. They aren’t groundbreaking, but are little things that make a difference for me.
- Carry a reusable water bottle
- Store reusable bags in your trunk for groceries
- Keep the stems of produce to regrow at home, e.g: green onions, romaine lettuce, pineapples
- Eat less meat! Dedicate a few days out of the week to going meat-free
- Bring reusable containers when you pick up food / to pack leftovers to go
Q: What Mala x tentree candle scent is your favourite?
Oooof. Hard question! But I’ll have to go with Shortbread, just because I’m a big foodie and love elevated gourmand fragrances that are nostalgic, creamy, and delicious.
Q: What rituals or routines do you turn to in the winter to relax, unwind and find balance when you’re not working?
Candlelit baths with Mala x tentree candles only, obviously! 😉 And a good book.
Keep Reading
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Candles
By planting ten trees for every item you purchase, it’s our mission to plant 1 billion trees by 2030. Head to our website to learn more and get 10% off your next purchase.
