Category ceiling
5.8 HIP
This is what the HIP methodology rewards when a product in this category fully evidences material provenance,
supply-chain integrity, repairability, and end-of-life pathways.
It is the benchmark for verified assessment — not a product currently on sale.
HIP Score
5.8/10
Below Standard
At category baseline (5.8)
Regenerative Index
+2.0
Restorative
At category average (2.0)
Score Breakdown
Material Scarcity Index
20% weight
9.0
The product relies entirely on abundant bio-based and recycled materials (rapeseed wax, cotton, recycled glass) with no EU Critical Raw Materials present. Supply chains are diversified across the UK, EU, and India, and the 24% recycled content combined with certified sustainable sourcing results in an exemplary scarcity profile.
Supply Chain Risk
18% weight
6.0
The supply chain is diversified across three jurisdictions (EU, India, UK) with acceptable governance scores, and an OECD due-diligence framework is referenced. However, the product is a scented candle, implying wax and fragrance oils which are not on the EU Critical Raw Materials list, and the lack of specific third-party audit verification for the India sourcing limits the score to the moderate range.
Recyclability & Circularity
18% weight
7.5
This scented candle is a single-material container with 95% of its weight entering practical recycling streams, supported by compliant labelling and an active manufacturer take-back scheme. The absence of disassembly requirements and the high recovery rate place it in the 'Well-Designed for Recovery' category, exceeding the typical small appliance baseline.
Repairability
13% weight
1.0
The product is a scented candle with no fasteners and no spare parts available, classifying it as unrepairable. It lacks a service manual and falls outside EU Ecodesign scope, fitting the criteria for sealed consumer electronics or disposable items designed for replacement.
Social & Environmental Impact
8% weight
6.0
The manufacturer is based in the UK, a low-risk jurisdiction with strong labour laws, and holds ISO 14001 certification for environmental management. While ILO compliance is claimed and a modern slavery statement exists, the absence of a specific third-party labour audit (such as RBA or SA8000) prevents a higher score, capping the rating at the baseline compliance level.
Product Longevity
8% weight
1.0
The product is a scented candle with a stated design life of 1 year and no warranty, classifying it as a disposable item designed for single-use replacement. It lacks any features for longevity such as modular design, IP rating, or long-term parts availability.
Regenerative Index
15% weight · scale −10 to +10
+2.0
The product scores in the Restorative band (+1 to +5) due to a verified closed-loop glass return-and-refill programme and Soil Association-certified agroecological practices. It does not qualify for the Regenerative band (+6 to +10) because the primary wax is not Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC), and the 24% recycled glass content falls below the threshold for automatic positive scaling without full material regeneration. The presence of the take-back scheme explicitly prevents a Depleting or Extractive classification.
MSI 20% · SCR 18% · RC 18% · R 13% · SEI 8% · PL 8% · RI 15% = 100%
About the HIP Methodology ▸
Generic ratings are intentionally conservative. They represent only what the HIP methodology can confirm from
publicly available specification data, before any manufacturer-supplied evidence is reviewed. Most categories sit
in the 2–4 range at the pre-verification baseline. This is the methodology working as designed: it makes the gap
between current market practice and demonstrable resilience legible to consumers, manufacturers, and procurement
buyers. Verified assessment is the path across that gap, and the HIP Mark is the proof of crossing it.
Read the full methodology →
Consumer Summary
This scented candle has an overall HIP Score of 5.8 out of 10, indicating a moderate performance in sustainability. It earns a Regenerative Index of +2.0, which reflects its use of recycled materials and a program that returns glass containers for reuse. While the product is designed to be disposable with a one-year lifespan, its strong material choices help offset some of its environmental impact.
What This Means For You
When buying home fragrance products, look for items made from abundant recycled or bio-based materials and those that offer a way to return the container for reuse. Avoid single-use items that lack any take-back or refill programs, as these contribute more to waste. Prioritizing brands with transparent supply chains and clear end-of-life plans will help you make more sustainable choices.
Material Watch Points
- India sourcing requires enhanced due diligence monitoring
- Due-diligence programme not independently audited
Improvement Opportunities
| Dimension |
Current Score |
Potential |
Action |
| (To be completed after human review) |
— |
— |
— |
About This Rating
Produced under Resourcehip Methodology v1.3 (CC BY-NC 4.0). Assessed: 2026-04-26. Next scheduled review: 2027-04-26.
Dispute this rating · Our methodology · All ratings
Data Sources
This rating draws on the following public sources:
USGS Mineral Resources Program (public domain) · EU Critical Raw Materials List 2023 (CC BY 4.0) · World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (CC BY 4.0) · LLM training knowledge (for assumed fields — no manufacturer submission)
All sources are public domain or published under open data licences.
Full source list →
About this rating:
HIP scores are based on publicly available data and manufacturer-submitted information at the assessment date.
They are estimates of material resilience — not guarantees of product performance, safety, or future supply conditions.
Resourcehip accepts no liability for decisions made in reliance on these ratings.
Scope:
This is a verified product rating for Category Ceiling, assessed using manufacturer-submitted data and public category data.
Produced under Resourcehip Scoring Methodology 1.3.
AI disclosure:
This rating was produced using an AI scoring pipeline (local, no cloud — no data shared externally) and reviewed and approved by a human assessor before publication.
Scoring model: qwen3.5:35b.
The model's training data influences the findings — see the methodology for caveats.
AI transparency notice →
Not financial or investment advice.
Ratings are for consumer information only.
Dispute this rating · Our methodology · All ratings
· Submit updated data
Assessed: 2026-04-26 · Next review: 2027-04-26 · Methodology 1.3
