Ben Carter
Candles are a popular way to create a relaxing atmosphere, with Americans spending over $3 billion on them each year. However, disposing of candles can be tricky. Throwing them away contributes to waste, and the wrong disposal method can be dangerous. So, what's the best way to get rid of old candles?
Do you throw away candles?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Throwing away candles in the trash | Contributes to waste problem |
| Putting candles in the blue bin | A wish-cycling blunder |
| Reusing candle wax | Melting it to make another candle |
| Recycling candle containers | Glass jars, tins, and some plastics |
| Properly disposing of candle wax | Melting, freezing, or scooping it out |
| Hazardous chemicals in scented paraffin candles | Benzene and toluene |
| Safer alternatives | Unscented candles made from beeswax or soy |
| Recycling programs | TerraCycle, Yankee Candle Company |
| General recommendations | Avoid pouring wax down the drain to prevent pipe clogging |
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What You'll Learn
Removing wax from candle jars
There are several ways to remove wax from candle jars, and the best method for you will depend on the tools you have available and the thickness of the wax. Here are some of the most common methods:
Freezing
Place the candle jar in the freezer for at least a few hours or overnight. Candle wax hardens and shrinks when it gets cold, so freezing is often enough to make the leftover candle wax pop loose. You can break up the wax a bit before freezing to make it easier to remove. Once the wax is frozen, use a butter knife to pop it out.
Boiling
Place the jar on a flat, heat-resistant surface, such as a wooden cutting board. Boil a kettle and pour the boiling water into the jar, leaving a little room at the top. The melted wax should float to the top and harden as the water cools. Simply remove the wax once the water has cooled, and scrape away any remaining bits stuck to the inside of the jar.
Oven
Preheat your oven to 200°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil or parchment paper and place the jar on top. Put the jar in the oven for 45-60 minutes until the wax is fully melted. Remove the jar from the oven and allow the wax to cool and harden before removing it from the jar.
Hob
Place the candle jar in an empty glass bowl over a pan of simmering water. This will melt the wax so you can easily pour it out, without the jar itself getting too hot. Be sure to wear oven gloves to protect your hands.
Once you have removed the wax from your candle jar, you can recycle the jar or repurpose it for a variety of uses. You can also reuse the wax by melting it down and making new candles. However, be sure to never pour liquid wax down the drain, as it will cool, harden, and clog the pipes.
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Recycling candle containers
Freezing
Place the candle container in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight. Once the wax is frozen, use a butter knife to pop it out. Breaking up the wax before freezing can make it easier to remove.
Boiling Water
Place the candle on a heat-safe surface and pour boiling water into the container, leaving some room at the top. As the water cools, the wax should float to the top and harden. Remove the wax and wash the container with soap and water before recycling.
Oven
Place the candle on a baking sheet and put it in the oven at around 160 degrees Celsius for 10-15 minutes. The wax will melt, and you can then pour it into a container that you plan to throw away.
Stovetop
Place the candle jar in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water. This will melt the wax without the jar getting too hot. Alternatively, place the candle in a separate pot and slowly pour boiling water around it, being careful to not get water inside the jar.
Once the wax is removed, the glass candle containers can be recycled with other glass bottles and jars. You can also choose to repurpose the containers for various household tasks, such as organizing makeup brushes or bathroom items.
If you do not want to recycle the containers, you can donate them to a thrift store or repurpose the wax to make new candles.
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Reusing candle wax
There are several ways to remove candle wax from candle jars and containers, which can then be recycled. Here are some methods to remove the wax:
Freezing
Place the candle jar in the freezer overnight. Before freezing, use a butter knife to make cuts in the wax, which will make it easier to break and remove the wax once it has frozen.
Boiling
Place the candle jar on a heat-safe surface and pour boiling water into it. Leave some room at the top to avoid spills. The wax will float to the top and harden as the water cools. Remove the wax and scrape away any remaining bits. Wash the jar with soap and water before recycling.
Oven
Place the candle jar on a baking sheet in the oven at 160 degrees Celsius. The wax will melt in 10 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, preheat the oven to its lowest setting and place the jar inside, removing any labels or stickers first. Once the wax is melted, scoop it out and reuse it.
Once the wax is removed, the containers can be recycled. Glass jars can be recycled with other glass bottles and jars, while tea light containers can be recycled in most household recycling bins as they are made from aluminium.
Now that the wax has been removed, it can be reused in several ways:
Make new candles
The leftover wax can be melted and used to make new candles. Cut a piece of wicking, available at craft stores, 2 inches taller than the votive holder. Knot one end and thread it through a wick tab, then tie the other end around a wooden skewer. Dip the wicking and tab into the melted wax to coat them. Press the tab to the bottom of the holder and rest the skewer on the rim. Pour the melted wax into the holder and let it stand until it sets.
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Floral wax sachets
Pour the wax into a small mould of your choosing. Add a few drops of essential oil and place some pressed flowers in the wax. Let the wax harden and then remove it from the mould.
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Disposing of candle wax
Candle wax is not recyclable, but it can be reused or repurposed. It is important to ensure that the wax is cool and dry before disposal, as warm melting wax can stick to bins or bags and pose a fire risk. Small amounts of solid candle wax can be disposed of in domestic and commercial general waste bins.
Removing wax from containers
To remove wax from a container, you can try the following methods:
- Boiling water: Place the candle jar on a heat-safe surface and pour boiling water into the jar, leaving some room at the top. The wax should float to the top and harden as the water cools. Remove the wax and wash the jar with soap and water before recycling or reusing.
- Freezing: Break up the wax and place the jar in the freezer overnight. The next day, use a butter knife to pop out the frozen wax. Wash the jar with soap and water before recycling or reusing.
- Stovetop: Place the candle jar in an empty glass bowl over a pan of simmering water. This will melt the wax so it can be poured out. Ensure you wear oven gloves as the jar may get hot.
- Oven: Place the candle on a baking sheet and put it in the oven at around 160 degrees Celsius for 10-15 minutes. The wax will melt and can be poured out.
Reusing and repurposing wax
Once the wax is removed from the container, it can be reused to make new candles. Alternatively, St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, Oregon, offers products made from recycled wax, such as skateboarding wax, fire starters, and bricks of wax for candle-making.
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Creative ways to reuse candle containers
Before reusing candle containers, it is important to remove the wax. This can be done by freezing the candle and then using a butter knife to pop the frozen wax out of the container. Alternatively, you can place the candle on a baking sheet in the oven at 160 degrees Celsius for 10 to 15 minutes until the wax melts, or pour boiling water into the candle jar and let the wax float to the top and harden as the water cools.
- Storage: Decorative candle jars can be reused for storing items such as makeup brushes, cotton pads, and Q-tips in the bathroom. They can also be used to organize items such as pens, pencils, and other stationery.
- Planters: Small candle containers can be reused as planters for succulents or other small plants. Simply fill the container with potting soil and add your plant.
- Vases: Candle containers with a wide opening can be reused as vases for flowers or greenery.
- Drinkware: Candle containers made of safe materials can be reused as cups or mugs.
- Candle-making: If you plan on making your own candles, you can reuse the containers to pour your new candles into.
- Donation: If you don't want to reuse the containers yourself, you can donate them to a thrift store or charity shop.
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Frequently asked questions
Candle wax is not recyclable, but it can be reused. You can repurpose the wax by melting it down and using it to make new candles. Alternatively, small amounts of solid candle wax can be disposed of in the general waste bin.
Glass candle jars are 100% recyclable, but you must ensure that they are empty and clean before recycling. You can remove wax from the jar by melting it or freezing it. If melting, pour the wax into something you're planning on throwing away, like an empty crisp packet, and then wash the jar with soap and water. If freezing, break up the wax a bit first, then pop the wax out with a butter knife and wash the jar.
Non-glass candle containers can often be recycled, but check your local recycling collections to be sure. If you're not sure what to do with a candle container, you can repurpose it for a variety of uses, such as storing makeup or bathroom products.
