In the past, beeswax and honey were sometimes harvested through complete destruction of the hive. However, commercial beeswax operations may be considered cruelty-free if harvesting is done at a slow rate, with enough of the hive left intact so as not to harm the overall colony.
Beeswax is also commonly used to make nontoxic candles and beeswax wraps (a less wasteful alternative to single-use plastic wrap). However, because beeswax comes from bees, vegans will always consider it an animal byproduct and therefore, it cannot truly be considered cruelty-free or ethical.
Making beeswax in the hive does not hurt bees, but many vegans cite that, even in small, non-commercial apiaries, bees can be harmed or killed in the beeswax harvesting process.
As beeswax is produced by animals it isn't considered vegan, even if you're not eating it. Veganism extends to more than just what you cook with, from the materials that clothes are made from and even to what's put in toiletries and cleaning products.
Soy wax is often used as a replacement to beeswax in candles and wax melts and is ideal for this because of its low melting point. It can also be used as a vegan substitute for beeswax in lip balms, as well as other cosmetics.
Vegans typically classify honey and beeswax to be non-vegan because they consider the bees are 'exploited' by harvesting the honey and that their health is sacrificed when the honey and wax are harvested – hence not adhering to this above definition.
Uulki natural wood wax polish is a 100% plant-based wood wax for indoor furniture. Its properties can be compared to beeswax, but it's completely vegan. This wood polish wax provides the same protection to wooden objects as beeswax and keeps stains and abrasions away.
There are some disadvantages to using beeswax as a finish. It is not very waterproof and does not provide much protection against water damage and other stains. Furthermore, beeswax is not very rub or wipe durable and may require periodic maintenance. It is not very glossy and provides a relatively low shine.
Beeswax is considered nonpoisonous, but it may cause a blockage in the intestines if someone swallows a large amount. If an ointment is swallowed, the medicine component may also cause side effects or poisoning.
Halal makeup can contain non-vegan ingredients such as beeswax, keratin, and lanolin—an ingredient derived from sheep's wool. Animal-derived ingredients like these are considered halal but are not vegan. Vegan makeup can contain alcohols which are not halal.
*Burt's Bees is owned by The Clorox Company, a corporation that is NOT cruelty-free because they allow some of their other brands to test on animals. The decision is yours whether you want to support or boycott cruelty-free brands owned by a parent company that is not cruelty-free.
Beeswax wrap can decompose in one to two months, which indicates that bee wax is environmentally-friendly and does not create massive pollution to our globe. The fascinating thing about beeswax production is that it comes from the work routine of the bees in the hive.
Soy wax is known for being a healthier and more eco-friendly alternative to common paraffin wax candles that you're likely to find on the drug store shelf. Paraffin wax is made from petroleum which isn't sustainable nor healthy when it is breathed in.
There you have it, when comparing wax, soy wax is arguably better than beeswax due to cost, aesthetics, oil retention, vegan friendly and eco friendly properties. However on sweetness, and burn temperature, beeswax wins out.
Since carnauba wax is much harder than beeswax, we recommend replacing the required amount of beeswax with a mix of half carnauba wax, half soft plant oil (such as coconut oil).
Bees produce beeswax in their hives and in order to forage this, the honeycomb within the hive is also removed. Not only are the bees an unpaid labour force, but they also lose their source of food. That's why candles with beeswax in it are not vegan friendly.
Do you test on animals? Burt's Bees does not test its products on animals nor do we ask others to do so on our behalf. You'll see the Leaping Bunny seal on our packaging to reinforce our commitment.
According to scientists, beeswax candles eliminate mould, odour, and dust when burnt, by releasing negative ions in the air. As the air has positive ions, the negative ions generated from burning beeswax candles are attracted to the positive ions, purifying the environment and making it safer and healthier.
Is Burt's Bees vegan? Burt's Bees is cruelty-free but not 100% vegan, meaning that some of their products contain animal-derived ingredients.
Wool is not vegan, and its production entails a staggering degree of cruelty and animal suffering. Sheep produce more than 90 percent of the world's wool supply. Nearly all the rest comes from goats, alpacas, and rabbits.
Manuka honey is not vegan or a vegan type of honey as it is also processed by the bees when they extract nectar from the manuka plant, so vegans can't really have Manuka honey on this diet, What is this? Generally, after bees have digested the honey, it is stored in combs.