Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Ward.
Hi Erica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always loved candles for the ambiance and fragrance, and they have long been a staple in my home. But while I was living in Germany, almost 20 years ago, I began recycling candles. They were very strict about recycling, and I hated to throw away leftover wax inside of these bulky glass jars. So I began recycling old candles and jars for myself and my neighbors and carried my new hobby with me as I returned to the States. I would often purchase new wax to refill old containers, but around the holidays this last year, I ran out of wax and decided to reach out to local churches and other businesses to see if they had any that I could recycle. And they certainly did! From January to March, I recycled over 200 pounds of wax from within the community. And I recognized a great need to continue this service for Charleston, where so many candlelit events are held throughout the year.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have received a warm welcome from local businesses that are now able to conveniently recycle their used candles and tea lights. Charleston is now one of only a handful of cities across the globe to have a registered candle recycling service; which creates an exciting challenge in learning how to grow and scale a relatively new business model. I am focused on recycling for weddings and event spaces for now, which produce the largest amount of candle waste, but will continue to adapt as we generate more awareness – with an aim to serve the whole community.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
With ReCandle, I am able to indulge my creativity. No two candles are the same, and I have fun with the different designs and colors. While candle recycling has long been a hobby of mine, my professional career has developed alongside it from Sales to Operations Management and many other titles in between. I am currently working in Sustainability for an International Finance company, and am very passionate about that role and honored to be able to make an impact on a global scale.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Spending time with family and friends, great food, live music, reading on the beach, gathering around a fire, being on or around the water, second Sundays downtown, exploring county parks, strolling farmers markets, traveling, bingeing TV shows, my cat (that I adopted during the pandemic), completing projects around the house and a freshly mowed lawn. Dog-sitting my son’s Great Danes. Walking around the neighborhood, listening to podcasts, a long workout streak on the Peloton app. Feeling like I’m making a difference for the community, doing something I love to do. And getting to know so many like-minded local businesses and organizations. Overall, Spring in Charleston is making me pretty happy right now.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@recandlecharleston.com
- Website: https://recandlecharleston.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recandlechs/
