The problem with single-use candles
In the UK, the average person burns 6 candles a year. That's an estimated 400 million candles per year. Most candles are designed to be used once and discarded - glass vessel, wick sticker and all. Even when the container is technically recyclable, the residual wax, wick sticker, heat-treated glass and fragrance residue mean most end up in landfill anyway. Only around 8% of candles in the UK are successfully recycled. The remaining 92% - that's around 368 million - are thrown into general household waste, where they ultimately take 1,000s of years to decompose in landfill.
Candle refills, and a more circular model, are a straightforward answer to that problem, and of the main pillars in our strategy to make 'a candle without compromise'.
What are our candle refills?
Our candle refills are replacement wax inserts, poured to fit your existing stainless steel Babel container, so you can keep the container you already own and simply swap in fresh wax once the original burn is done. No new container or packaging. Just the wax, the wick, and the scent wrapped in compostable, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper wrap.
At Babel, our refills are hand-poured using the same certified organic beeswax, coconut oil and essential oils as our original candles, so the burn quality, scent throw, and burn time are identical to your first candle.
How do you use one of our candle refills?
Using a refill is straightforward:
- Finish your original candle - burn it down to within about 5mm of the base.
- Remove the old wax - put your candle container in the freezer for ~1hr to shrink the wax, then pop the residual wax disc out. It may need to be loosened slightly using your fingers.
- Clean the container - wipe out your container with a warm cloth to remove any wax residue.
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Drop in the refill - unwrap your new candle refill and place it into the container. Light the candle and start a new ritual.
How much waste does a refill actually save?
A Babel candle container accounts for roughly 40% of the candle's total weight. By refilling rather than replacing, you're eliminating the production, transport, and disposal of that container on every subsequent purchase. Over a year of regular burning, that can add up to over a kilogram of stainless steel per household, before factoring in the reduction in cardboard packaging.
Are refills cheaper?
Yes, our refills are available to purchase for £39 (Alba is £20), saving you £16 compared with the price of an original candle. You're paying for the certified organic wax and essential oils, not the container. So, to continue the ritual and explore a different Babel scent, it's a no-brainer to refill.
Which refills do you offer?
We currently offer refills for all five of our signature scents:
- Ikigai Refill - Ho Wood, Lavender, Jasmine Grandiflorum, Grapefruit
- Samar Refill - Frankincense, Pink Pepper, Vetiver, Cade
- Alba Refill - White Beeswax, Coconut Oil
- Volta Refill - Neroli, Red Mandarin, Cistus, Sweet Orange
- Kaamos Refill - Cinnamon Bark, Sweet Orange, Clove Bud, Frankincense
Browse the full Refills collection to find your next ritual.
The best way to experience candle refills is with Babel+. For £39 (including free shipping), you can receive candle refills on your schedule (every 4, 6, or 8 weeks), and a Babel container is included with your first purchase.
A small change with a lasting impact
Switching to refills won't single-handedly fix the planet, but it's a meaningful, repeatable choice that compounds over time. Every refill is one less container manufactured, one less box shipped, one less container in landfill, and it costs you less to do it.
If you're new to Babel, start with one of our original candles - then refill to continue the ritual.