We wanted to make candles that we want to light and enjoy every day...no matter the occasion....Because life happens. Our founder is a biochemist who is passionate about candles and believes in using safe / organic raw materials. Soy wax is derived from a natural source, soybean oil...it is biodegradable and since soy wax has a lower melting point, it burns slower and evenly. Therefore, candles made from soy wax are cleaner and burn longer when compared with candles made from paraffin wax. Green Papaya candles are also made with phthalate-free fragrance oils. Studies have shown that some phthalates have a negative health impact. For more info, please go to: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/10/phthalates-plastics-chemicals-research-analysis. Green Papaya candles come in different sizes: 2 oz, 4 oz, 6 oz, and 8 oz. Based on our own studies, the burn rate for each of the container are approximately 4 to 7 hours per ounce. So a 2 oz candle can last between 8 and 14 hours.