Coconut–Apricot vs. Soy: Which Wax Is More Sustainable?

In today’s candle market, “clean,” “natural,” and “sustainable” have become essential qualities for conscious shoppers. Soy wax once dominated the eco-friendly candle space—but it’s no longer the only option. A rising favorite is coconut–apricot wax, a luxurious, slow-burning blend made from renewable plant oils.

So how does coconut–apricot wax stack up against soy when it comes to sustainability? And why does Bee Coco Candle choose coconut–apricot wax for all their candles?

Let’s break it down.

What Is Coconut–Apricot Wax?

Coconut–apricot wax is a blend of:

• Coconut wax – hydrogenated coconut oil, known for a clean, slow burn
• Apricot wax – made from apricot kernel oil, which adds structure and a smooth finish

Many blends use a small amount of food-grade natural additives for stability, but the formula remains vegan, non-toxic, and highly renewable.

Sustainability: Coconut–Apricot Wax vs. Soy Wax

1. Land Use & Environmental Impact

Coconut–Apricot Wax

• Coconuts grow on long-lived trees that do not require replanting each year, reducing soil disruption.
• Coconut trees grow in tropical regions where they thrive with minimal irrigation and pesticides.
• Apricot orchards are also multi-year crops, not linked to large-scale land conversion.

Environmental footprint: relatively low.

Soy Wax

Soy is a global commodity crop heavily tied to:

• Deforestation (Amazon, Cerrado, Gran Chaco)
• Monoculture farming
• High pesticide use
• Significant soil and biodiversity loss

Much of this impact comes from soy grown for livestock feed—not candle wax—but the supply chain is the same.

Environmental footprint: can be moderate to high depending on sourcing.

2. Renewability & Crop Efficiency

Coconut–Apricot

• Coconuts produce a high oil yield per acre, meaning less land is needed to produce wax.
• Apricot kernel oil is a byproduct of the fruit industry, which minimizes waste.

Soy

• Requires large agricultural acreage.
• Oil yield per acre is significantly lower than coconut.

Winner: Coconut–apricot wax.

3. Chemical Inputs

Coconut–Apricot

• Coconut crops require fewer fertilizers and pesticides.
• Apricot oil comes from kernels typically left over from food production.

Soy

• Many soy crops are genetically engineered for herbicide tolerance.
• Heavy use of glyphosate and other agrochemicals is common in large-scale soy farming.

Winner: Coconut–apricot wax.

4. Burn Quality and Waste Reduction

Sustainability isn’t only about sourcing—it’s also about how the candle burns.

Coconut–Apricot Wax

• Burns cooler and longer
• Produces minimal soot
• Delivers excellent fragrance throw, meaning fewer candles needed for the same scent experience

Soy Wax

• Burns faster
• More prone to frosting and tunneling
• Harder to achieve consistent scent throw

Winner: Coconut–apricot for efficiency and performance.

So… Is Coconut–Apricot Wax More Sustainable Than Soy?

In most cases, yes.

Coconut–apricot wax:

• Comes from high-yield, low-impact crops
• Uses byproducts (apricot kernels)
• Requires less farmland
• Burns cleaner and lasts longer
• Avoids the environmental issues tied to industrial soy farming

While soy can be sourced responsibly, the global method of production often isn’t as gentle on ecosystems.

Why Bee Coco Candle Uses Coconut–Apricot Wax

At Bee Coco Candle, coconut–apricot wax is the perfect match for our values and our product quality. We choose this wax because:

✔ It’s more sustainable

Coconut and apricot oils have a smaller environmental footprint and support renewable agriculture.

✔ It burns cleaner

Our candles produce minimal soot and deliver a slow, even burn—ideal for indoor air quality and longevity.

✔ It offers superior scent performance

Coconut–apricot wax holds a high fragrance load, giving both a strong cold throw and a beautiful hot throw.

✔ It’s vegan and toxin-free

We never use paraffin or petroleum-based blends. Our coconut–apricot wax is clean, natural, and responsibly sourced.

✔ It’s gentle for sensitive users

With no soy proteins and no synthetic fillers, our candles are a great match for people who avoid soy-based products or prefer clean-burning waxes.

Final Thoughts

Coconut–apricot wax represents a new generation of sustainable candle wax—cleaner, slower-burning, and more environmentally friendly than many traditional options. Its eco profile, paired with its luxury performance, is why Bee Coco Candle proudly uses coconut–apricot wax in every candle we pour.