Candles and orangutan—two things you may never have thought would go together. Yet, at Colugo Candles, this unlikely combination becomes a meaningful reality. Each one of our candles includes a wick made from recycled sack-cloth that serves as a feeding enrichment toy for rescued orangutan. So, every time you light one of our candles, know that it’s not just your life you are brightening.
The Story Behind the Wicks
Our wicks are made from hessian sack-cloth, a natural material we recycle and repurpose after they’ve been used as enrichment toys for orangutan at Project Borneo’s rehabilitation centre in Matang, Borneo. After serving their purpose, they are hand-braided into the sturdy, eco-friendly wicks that you find in every Colugo Candles candle.
Why Orangutan?
Orangutan, the gentle giants of the Borneo rainforests, face significant threats due to habitat loss and human activities. By incorporating the sack-cloth into our candle-making process, we not only give these creatures an enrichment tool but also raise awareness about the plight they face.
How the Process Benefits Orangutan
The sack-cloths used for enrichment toys stimulate the orangutans' minds, keep them active, and help to prepare them for a life back in the wild. This is a crucial part of their rehabilitation and aids in their eventual release.
An Unbreakable Chain of Good
By choosing a Colugo Candles , you contribute to this chain of good:
Recycling Material: Sack-cloths that would otherwise go to waste are repurposed.
Enriching Lives: The repurposed material is used to make toys that benefit the orangutan during their rehabilitation.
Sustainable Production: The same material is then recycled again to create eco-friendly wicks for our candles.
Conservation Support: A percentage of profits from the sale of these candles go back to supporting initiatives like Project Borneo.
The Heart-warming Bonus
And let’s not forget—the wicks in our candles have been touched by rescued orangutan, making each candle truly one-of-a-kind.
In the grand scheme of things, a candle wick may seem like a small detail. But at Colugo Candles, it’s these small details that make a big difference. When you light one of our candles, you ignite a circle of positive impact that reaches far beyond your home, touching both human and animal lives.
Thank you for making the conscious choice to be part of this incredible journey. Together, let's illuminate our world in the most meaningful way possible.