How Long Does Paraffin Take to Decompose?
25 May 2023
Paraffin wax is a non-biodegradable substance, which means it cannot be broken down by living organisms. It can take up to 500 years for paraffin wax to decompose naturally. This is because paraffin wax is made from petroleum, which is a fossil fuel. Fossil fuels are made up of long chains of carbon atoms that are very difficult for living organisms to break down.
There are some ways to speed up the decomposition of paraffin wax. One way is to expose it to sunlight. Sunlight can break down the long chains of carbon atoms in paraffin wax, making it easier for living organisms to break it down. Another way to speed up the decomposition of paraffin wax is to add bacteria or fungi that can break it down. These organisms can be found in compost piles or in soil.
If you are concerned about the environmental impact of paraffin wax, you can choose to use candles made from other materials, such as coconut and rapeseed. As a business we only use coconut and rapeseed wax which is biodegradable and water soluble.
Here are some additional information about paraffin wax:
- Paraffin wax is a white or colourless, soft, solid, and odourless wax.
- It is derived from petroleum, a fossil fuel.
- Paraffin wax is used in a variety of products, including candles, cosmetics, and food packaging.
- Paraffin wax is not biodegradable, which means it can take hundreds of years to decompose in the environment.
- There are some ways to speed up the decomposition of paraffin wax, such as exposing it to sunlight or adding bacteria or fungi that can break it down.
How long does it take for coconut and rapeseed wax to decompose?
Coconut and rapeseed wax are both biodegradable substances, which means they can be broken down by living organisms. Coconut wax can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to decompose naturally, while rapeseed wax can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months. This is because both coconut and rapeseed wax are made from renewable resources, such as coconut oil and rapeseed oil. These oils are also a good source of nutrients for living organisms, which makes them easier to break down.
There are some factors that can affect the decomposition rate of coconut and rapeseed wax. One factor is the size of the wax. Smaller pieces of wax will decompose more quickly than larger pieces. Another factor is the environment in which the wax is decomposing. Wax that is exposed to sunlight and air will decompose more quickly than wax that is buried in soil.
If you are concerned about the environmental impact of coconut and rapeseed wax, you can choose to compost it. Coconut and rapeseed wax can be added to a compost pile and will decompose within a few months. You can also choose to recycle coconut and rapeseed wax. Coconut and rapeseed wax can be melted down and reused.
Here are some additional information about coconut and rapeseed wax:
- Coconut wax is a white or off-white, soft, solid, and odourless wax.
- It is derived from coconut oil, a renewable resource.
- Coconut wax is used in a variety of products, including candles, cosmetics, and food packaging.
- Coconut wax is biodegradable, which means it can decompose in the environment within a few months.
- Coconut wax can be composted or recycled.
- Rapeseed wax is a white or off-white, soft, solid, and odourless wax.
- It is derived from rapeseed oil, a renewable resource.
- Rapeseed wax is used in a variety of products, including candles, cosmetics, and food packaging.
- Rapeseed wax is biodegradable, which means it can decompose in the environment within a few months.
- Rapeseed wax can be composted or recycled.
You can purchase a coconut and rapeseed wax scented candle or wax melt by clicking here.
Research from Wikipedia. Greenmatch.