Let’s talk about BEES!
Let’s just say...
Honeybees are VITAL to human existence. They’re responsible for about one-third of our food, and are responsible for pollinating more than eighty-seven of the leading food crops that we consume.
Unfortunately, they’ve become one of the most endangered species on the planet.
Why, you ask? This is due to the fact that bees are subjected to unnatural living conditions, genetic mutation, and stressful transportation for the harvesting of honey and beeswax.
‘Beeswax’ what is it?
Beeswax is an incredible, natural substance with a never-ending array of uses. From lip balm to candle wax, and even plastic-free food storage, beeswax is an environmentally friendly material that's a must-have in your home.
Beeswax: How it’s harvested and Why it’s turning out to be a severe ethical conundrum.
Honeybees produce beeswax by consuming honey. It takes them weeks to create the honey which is later consumed to create beeswax (with which the beehive is created).
Harvesting honey or beeswax in small amounts is mostly harmless to the colony. The problem is HOW it’s harvested!
Beekeepers usually smoke and tap the hives to urge bees to leave their posts so that the honey and beeswax can be harvested.
If you’re a beekeeper, I’m sure that you take special care while harvesting honey. But, in large-scale harvesting processes, more risks are involved.
A lot of things can go wrong during the procedure and this generally results in damaging the colony.
Queen Bees:
The queen bee is the center of this dilemma. In many bee farms, the wings of the queen bee are cut off or clipped so that she can’t leave the hive. If she can’t fly, she can’t possibly lead the colony away from the hives.
With her wings clipped, she can no longer balance herself properly or use her wings to break a fall. Even if this doesn’t happen, mishandling of bees while collecting honey and wax is very common. It’s the lack of experience and empathy that results in these bees getting injured or even killed.
Honeybees aren’t always killed to harvest beeswax, but they’re robbed of their natural habitat and resources.
There have been debates about the extraction process, and the use of beeswax, and from our point of view, using beeswax in beauty products isn’t inherently bad. The problem lies with the increased demand for the beeswax, and the resulting increase in mishandling and mass-transportation of bees.
What Can You Do to Help, you ask?
To decrease the detrimental impact on bees, you could -
-Try using vegan, reusable wraps as an alternative. There are soy wraps and other wraps available made from plant-based waxes.
-Agave nectar, rice syrup, molasses, sorghum, barley malt, maple syrup, and dried fruit or fruit concentrates can be used to replace honey in recipes.
-Plant as many native flowers in your yard or garden as possible.
-Don’t Hate on Bees. They deserve to live, as much as you do!