Lighting the way: A Circular approach with heart
How CandleXchange turns everyday candle containers into sustainable solutions that support the community.
What started as a simple kitchen table experiment quickly became a solution to a surprising problem: beautiful candle containers couldn’t be recycled, and millions were quietly heading to landfill each year.
Hayley Clarke and Karen Platt saw an opportunity to do things differently. In 2021, they launched CandleXchange, a female-owned social enterprise built on circular economy principles. Their Return & Swap system allows customers to return empty candle containers, which are cleaned, refilled with natural soy wax, and put back into circulation - reducing waste and making refills more affordable
“Many people didn’t realise that candle containers can’t be recycled. We wanted to offer a practical solution that makes sustainability easy and accessible.”
Building a model that works
Starting out, CandleXchange was very much a hands-on, kitchen-table business. Every detail, from container collection to wax formulation, was tested and refined. An early lesson quickly emerged: convenience drives participation. If returning a container felt complicated, customers wouldn’t do it. Explaining the why and the how behind the process was just as important as the product itself.
“Sustainability only works if it’s convenient. And transparency builds trust - people want to know what happens to their containers.”
More than candles
CandleXchange goes beyond reducing landfill. Their UpCandle program takes containers from any brand, refills them, and donates the finished candles to women and families rebuilding their lives after domestic violence, as well as refugees setting up new homes.
“What was once household clutter becomes a meaningful gift - a small but powerful way to create warmth and dignity in someone’s home.”
Being based on the Northern Beaches has shaped the business too. Working with local businesses, stockists, and community organisations allows CandleXchange to grow while staying connected to the people who first believed in their mission. For Hayley and Karen, sustainability and community are inseparable.
Outside of work, life is just as busy. Hayley is often at her daughter’s basketball games or training, while Karen juggles singing lessons and martial arts. Even in the chaos of family life, they’re inspired by the community around them.
Looking ahead
CandleXchange is now preparing for its next chapter with Glow Forward, a program creating supported employment pathways for women who have faced barriers to work. By combining circular systems, social impact, and local collaboration, the founders are completing the circle: reducing waste, creating beautiful products, and empowering people.
“Sustainability should extend beyond the environment to include social and economic empowerment”. Glow Forward completes the circle.
Tips for other businesses
- Make it easy. The simpler your solution, the more likely people are to act.
- Share your story. Let people know the “why” behind what you do – it turns awareness into loyalty.
- Team up. Collaborate with like-minded businesses to reach new audiences in a natural, authentic way.
- Do good, feel good. Businesses that benefit people and the planet earn trust that lasts.
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