Choosing a green honeymoon destination is easier than you might think. Before booking your honeymoon destination, call or email each destination with the following list of questions.

• Is the lodging locally owned and staffed? Keep in mind that local is best, but in some cases weather or transportation issues makes local staffing impossible. Staff may live at a lodge during specific seasons.
• What sort of energy does the lodging rely on? It is powered by alternative energy sources such as wind or solar? Do they offset any energy usage?
• Is their water us sustainable? Ask about low-flow shower heads and toilets and rain barrels systems. Don’t forget to ask about laundry as well. Some lodging is holding off washing bedding and towels daily unless specifically asked by the customer. That’s a good thing. No one needs their sheets washed daily.
• Does the building have any eco-credentials; for example is it LEED certified?
• If room service or an on-site restaurant is offered, do they offer local and organic meal choices? If you’re considering an ocean or beach resort they should have some sustainable seafood criteria in place.
• Are organic or other eco-friendly materials used for room textiles like towels, bedding, robes and so on?
• Do they offer organic or eco-friendly body care products such as soap, shampoo and lotion?
• Do they furnish with sustainable furniture such as pieces made with bamboo or FSC certified wood?
• How do they dispose of trash? I know, thinking about trash is not fun but you should find out if the lodging composts, recycles and limits waste when possible.
• What sorts of extra amenities does the lodging feature and is it eco-friendly?  For example are energy star refrigerators used in rooms; do they offer a natural swimming pool vs. a chlorine pool; natural spa treatments; and so on.
• Does the lodging respect the earth around it? For example, is nature still intact surrounding the lodging. If tours are given do they also respect the natural area?
• Does the lodging support any community organizations, eco-organizations, local eco-initiatives (think beach clean-ups and animal conservation) or other socially ethical non-profits?

Try not to aim for perfection. Eco-friendly policies are growing among the tourism industry, but they have a long way to go. It’s rare to find 100% green lodging. Decide what matters most to you – organic food or organic sheets? Recycling or offsetting energy use? Many lodging choices offer some but not all of the eco-friendly aspects listed above so aim high but don’t aim for perfection or you may not find a honeymoon destination.

Today a product review of Scandle Candles for you – this could make a great wedding shower favor and it’d be excellent as a honeymoon gift.

PRODUCT: Scandle Essentials 4oz Travel Tin in Uplifting Blend – Pink grapefruit & spearmint essential oils create the uplifting blend – this Scandle comes in a square lightweight travel tin for easy application.

INGREDIENTS: According to Scandle, these candles are “Made from 100% natural ingredients” – the label on the candle says “This product contains soy and other nut products, if you are allergic to these products, please do not use. (May contain soy butter, shea butter, aloe vera, jojoba oil, and fragrance or essential oils).”

USE: The Scandle Candle burns at 2 degrees above body temperature to produce a soothing oil for massage, manicures, pedicures, or as a daily moisturizer. Or of course, you can use it as purely a candle to light up your space. (including soy), The Scandle emits less soot and toxins into the environment than traditional paraffin candles. Scandles feature refillable/reusable canisters and sustainable packaging options. Burn time 15-30 hours.

COST: $12.95

ECO-PERKS & OTHER GOOD STUFF:

• Soy is an eco-friendly candle option when compared to paraffin candles, emitting less soot and toxins. They’re not 100% safer if you have allergies or are sick, but way better than wax candles. Soy is also biodegradable.
• I think they’re made with fairly natural ingredients, but if you look below in cons, you’ll see that I can’t 100% guarantee it. They don’t smell fake though, they smell as if they were scented with essential oils vs a fake fragrance.
• Feel great on your body. You can pour or dip into the candle and use it for massage, cuticle rub, or to smooth dry skin. Not oily or too hot on your skin, and the scent is subtle, not obnoxious. I also like the scent that fills your room when you burn this candle – very nice and yes, uplifting as the product notes.
• VERY long lasting. I’ve burned and burned this candle and it just keeps going and going.
• The candles are multi-use and long lasting.
• Candles come in great little reusable tins that can be used for any number of small objects; rings, beads, etc. If you buy their larger candles they offer refills which is excellent and saves on packaging.
• 100% Vegan.
• Cruelty free – member of PETA’s Caring Consumer Program.
• Zero petroleum or mineral oils added.

PRODUCT CONS:

The ingredient listings are sketchy. The website does not list a full ingredient list and neither does the packaging. Some terms used to explain the ingredients at the website include…

• Scandles are made with FDA approved ingredients.
• Hypo-Allergenic.
• Cosmetic grade soy oil.
• Those allergic to nut based products should not use Scandle, because the Scandle contains soy, jojoba, and shea oils.
• And as noted above my packaging says, “May contain soy butter, shea butter, aloe vera, jojoba oil, and fragrance or essential oils.”

So basically, I’m not sure what exactly is in this candle. It’d be easy to include an actual ingredient list and I wish the company  would have. I was able to find more info when I looked up the fragrance mixes, because it noted that my blend is pink grapefruit & spearmint essential oils.

According to Skin Deep, this company has not signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics and there’s no info on their product ingredients listed there.

Not made with organic soy or organic essential oils as far as I can tell.

OVERALL SCORE:

Three out of five little trees. Because I can’t find a full ingredient list anywhere and because this product is not organic so far as I can tell, it loses some point. The cost is fairly comparable to other soy candle companies; maybe a little less on some products, and I’m guessing you might be able to work out a bulk buy situation with them if you wanted these for a green wedding favor. Overall, I’d recommend Scandle Candles because they smell great and work well as both candles and a moisturizing + massage tool. Plus they have nice reusable containers – a great green choice.

However, if you want a totally green candle, I’d suggest Evergreen Candleworks – an organic soy candle company who also makes a soy massage candle but they use organic soy.

Visit Scandle Candles to learn more.

See my green product rating system and green product rating criteria.