About Us

At Bee Kindling, we believe that a warm fire shouldn't come at the cost of our planet. Founded by Maggie Oudsema, a passionate entrepreneur with a rich biology and software development background, our company is proud to be a woman-owned business in Michigan, USA. Our mission is to provide eco-conscious consumers with a sustainable option for lighting fires that is as friendly to the environment as it is effective. Each purchase gives back to the environment. Learn more about our Giving Back program.

Meet

Our Founder

Maggie Oudsema’s journey from a biologist with multiple peer-reviewed publications to a software developer and an entrepreneur is driven by her deep commitment to sustainability. Her unique insights and passion have shaped Bee Kindling, emphasizing the importance of using scientific principles to create consistent science-backed research for environmentally friendly and earth-conscious fire starters.

Where do we get

Our Sources

Our kindling products are crafted from 100% recycled materials sourced from other industries and beeswax—a natural byproduct of honey production. This uses otherwise wasted resources and takes advantage of beeswax's benefits.

Our spent grain from the beer-brewing process has been sourced from our local brewery, Fetch Brewing Co., in Whitehall, MI. Spent grain is leftover grains and malted barley that breweries use to make beer. It's the main byproduct of the brewing process, making up about 85% of the total waste material.

Our beeswax is sourced from Sleeping Bear Farms in Beulah, MI. Beeswax is a by-product of the honey harvesting process and has the highest melting point of waxes, at 62 to 64 °C (144 to 147 °F).

When burned, beeswax emits negative ions that can help purify the air by neutralizing pollutants. It also burns brighter and longer than many other waxes, making it an ideal choice for sustainable fire starters.

Our wicks come from Garsnett Beacon Candle Co. based out of Holland, MI. Their candles smell amazing but we have the honor to give all their trimmed wicks a new life. They are too short to go into another candle but perfect for an easy starting point for our eco-friendly fire starters.

Sustainability is

Our Commitment

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Bee Kindling. We are dedicated to continuously improving our processes and products, minimizing our ecological footprint while maximizing product performance. Our kindling is not just a tool for starting fires; it's a way to ignite a broader conversation about sustainable practices and responsible consumption.

We have sourced our packaging supplies from ECOENCLOSE to ensure that our products are not the only thing that is recycled.