Packaging
All product packaging is plastic-free and designed for recyclability or biodegradability. Candles are sold in reusable glass jars (with metal lids for jar candles or tin containers for travel candles) instead of plastic. Soaps and newer wax melt products are packaged in FSC-certified paper cartons printed with soy-based inks. The company recently switched from glass jars to paper boxes for wax melts specifically to eliminate plastic clamshells and reduce waste. Shipping materials are plastic-free as well, using paper padding and cardboard boxes. Fontana goes so far as to postpone product launches if a sustainable packaging solution isn’t feasible; for instance, they held back a foaming hand soap until they could package it in glass rather than defaulting to plastic pumps.
Ingredient Sustainability
Across these products, Fontana is using materials that fall into the most sustainable categories of our evaluation parameters. Beeswax is a natural wax that burns cleanly and is renewable (especially when sourced from ethical apiaries). It avoids the petroleum inputs and soot of paraffin and the deforestation concerns of palm wax. Coconut oil (used to soften the wax blend) is plant-based and biodegradable. All fragrances come from steam-distilled or cold-pressed essential oils, not from synthetic fragrance compounds. This means no persistent petrochemicals, phthalates, or musk compounds - only botanical ingredients that break down more readily in the environment. For example, the orange, cinnamon, and clove oils in their candle are derived from plants (orange peels, cinnamon bark/leaves, clove buds) which are renewable resources. Notably, Fontana avoids ingredients with known high ecological harm: there are no parabens or plastics, no mineral oils, no palm oil (a common soap base linked to rainforest destruction), and no endangered plant extracts. Their wooden wicks are sourced from FSC-certified mills that plant a tree for every $100 spent, supporting responsible forestry. These choices indicate a preference for responsibly harvested materials and traceability.
Energy Use and Footprint
Manufacturing is done entirely in the United States (Lancaster, PA), which shortens the supply chain and avoids the high emissions of overseas shipping for finished goods. By producing domestically and sourcing many inputs from North America (beeswax from domestic apiaries, wood wicks from FSC mills likely in the US), Fontana reduces reliance on carbon-intensive air freight and long-distance transport.
However, Fontana has not (as of available information) published any greenhouse gas inventory or set targets for emissions reduction. There is no evidence of renewable energy use at their facility or purchase of carbon offsets for remaining emissions.
Waste Management
A standout initiative is their “Imperfect Seconds” program, where candles with minor aesthetic defects (e.g. slight cracks, off-center wicks, or dented tins) are sold at a discount instead of being discarded. This keeps usable products out of landfill and reflects a circular mindset. Fontana hasn’t implemented a formal container return or refill program yet (customers currently reuse or recycle jars on their own).
Business Model
Fontana’s business model leans toward slow, conscious consumption, although it operates within a traditional retail framework to an extent. On one hand, Fontana does not churn out fad-based collections or endless new SKUs each month. Their core product lineup of candles and home scents is relatively timeless and evergreen. Scents are largely classic (lavender, vanilla, citrus, spice, etc.) and remain available year-round, with a focus on consistency and quality rather than fleeting trends.
The brand does engage in seasonal offerings and occasional limited releases, but in a balanced way. They have seasonal scent collections (e.g. Winter Scents or a special “Celebrations” collection for holidays and occasions). These tend to be limited-time scents tied to seasons (like a Pumpkin Spice or Apple Spice candle in fall, or collaborative special edition candles), which create some sense of novelty. However, the seasonal launches are relatively few per year and often return annually.
