Ben Carter
There are several ways to dispose of candles, and the method you choose will depend on the materials involved and your personal preferences. If you're looking to recycle, you'll need to separate the wax from the candle container. This can be done by melting the wax or freezing it and then chipping it out. The container can then be recycled or reused, and the wax can be reused to make new candles. If you don't want to reuse or recycle, small amounts of solid candle wax can be thrown into general waste bins, but it's important to never pour liquid wax down the drain as it will clog pipes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wax disposal | Small amounts of candle wax can be disposed of in domestic and commercial general waste bins. |
| Wax can be melted and reused to make new candles. | |
| Scented candle wax can be placed in the refuse bin or recycled at a recycling centre. | |
| Unscented wax can be placed in the compost. | |
| Container disposal | Glass jars are recyclable. |
| Containers can be repurposed or donated to thrift stores. | |
| Some manufacturers offer recycling programs for their products. |
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What You'll Learn
Removing wax from candle containers
Freezing
Place the candle container in the freezer overnight. The wax will freeze and shrink, making it easier to remove. Once it's frozen, take the container out of the freezer and flip it upside down. The wax should pop right out. If it doesn't, use a spoon or butter knife to help lift and remove it. Making cuts in the wax with a butter knife before freezing can also help, as the wax will break along these lines as it shrinks.
Melting
You can melt the wax by placing the candle container in the oven at around 160-200 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the candle on a baking sheet to catch any spills, and put it in the oven for about 10-15 minutes. The wax will melt and pool on the foil, which you can then remove with oven mitts. Alternatively, you can boil water and pour it into the container, leaving some space at the top. The hot water will melt the wax, making it float to the surface. Let it cool completely before removing the wax.
Hairdryer
If you don't want to use an oven or boiling water, you can use a hairdryer to soften the wax. Hold the candle container with an oven mitt and direct the hairdryer on a warm setting at the sides and bottom of the container. Once the wax is soft, use a butter knife to lift or scrape it out.
Once you've removed the wax, you can repurpose it to make new candles, or simply recycle the container. Remember to clean the container with soap and warm water to remove any wax residue or soot.
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Recycling candle wax
While candle wax is not recyclable, there are several ways to repurpose and reuse it. Here are some methods to recycle candle wax by removing it from its container:
Boil and Melt: Place the candle jar on a heat-safe surface and boil a kettle. Pour the boiling water into the jar, leaving some space at the top. The wax will melt and float to the top, hardening again as the water cools. Once cool, simply remove the wax and scrape away any remaining bits from the jar.
Freeze It: Breaking up the wax first can make this method easier. Place the candle jar in the freezer overnight. The wax will freeze and can then be popped out with a butter knife or similar implement.
Use the Hob: Place the candle jar in an empty glass bowl over a pan of simmering water. This will melt the wax, allowing you to pour it out, while the jar itself remains cool. Remember to wear oven gloves to avoid burns.
Microwave: Put the wax in the microwave for a couple of minutes to melt it. This method should be handled with care due to the risk of burning.
Oven: Place the candle on a baking sheet in the oven at around 160 degrees Celsius. The wax should melt in 10 to 15 minutes.
Once the wax is removed, the container can be recycled or reused. Glass jars can be recycled with other glass bottles and jars, while tins and jars can be donated or repurposed. Remember to remove any remaining wax and wash the containers before recycling.
Leftover candle wax can also be reused to make new candles, or you can check with local recycling collections for specific instructions.
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Reusing candle containers
Freezing
Place the candle jar in the freezer overnight. Before freezing, use a butter knife to make some cuts in the wax to make it easier to break and remove once frozen. After removing the jar from the freezer, the wax should easily pop out with the help of a butter knife.
Boiling Water
Place your candle jar on a heat-safe surface. Boil a kettle and pour the boiling water into the jar, leaving some room at the top. The wax will float to the top and harden as the water cools. Remove the wax with a spoon or wait for the water to cool and remove the hardened wax.
Oven
Place the candle on a baking sheet in an oven preheated to about 160 degrees Celsius. The wax will melt in 10 to 15 minutes. Be careful when handling the hot jar, and always place it on a baking sheet to catch any spills in case the jar cracks.
Microwave
Place the candle jar in the microwave for a couple of minutes to melt the wax. Be cautious when handling the hot jar and wax.
Once the wax is removed, wash the jar with soap and water to remove any residue. Now, your candle container is ready to be reused! You can use it as a whisky tumbler, a mini plant pot, or simply purchase a candle wax refill to give it new life.
If you don't want to reuse the container yourself, you can donate it to a thrift store or recycle it. Remember to check your local recycling guidelines, as different materials have specific requirements.
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Disposing of candle wax
Candle wax is not recyclable, but it can be reused or repurposed. If you're not interested in reusing candle wax, small amounts of solid candle wax can be disposed of in domestic and commercial general waste bins. However, it's important to ensure that the wax is cool and dry before disposal to avoid it sticking to the bin or waste bag and posing a fire risk. Here are some methods to separate candle wax from its container for disposal:
Freezing
Place the candle jar in the freezer overnight. Before freezing, use a butter knife to make cuts in the wax to make it easier to break and remove the wax once it has frozen.
Melting
Place the candle jar on a heat-safe surface and pour boiling water into it, leaving some room at the top. The wax will float to the top and harden as the water cools. Remove the wax and scrape away any remaining bits. Alternatively, place the candle jar in an empty glass bowl over a pan of simmering water to melt the wax and pour it out.
Oven
Place the candle on a baking sheet and put it in the oven at around 160 degrees Celsius for 10 to 15 minutes until the wax melts.
Microwave
Use the microwave for a couple of minutes to melt the wax. However, be cautious when handling heated wax and hot water to avoid burning yourself.
Once the wax is removed, the containers can be recycled or repurposed. Glass candle jars can be recycled with other glass bottles and jars, while tins and jars can also be recycled or reused.
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Recycling candle containers
Once the wax has been removed, the container can be recycled. Glass candle jars can be recycled with other glass bottles and jars, either at a local bottle bank or HWRC, or through a commercial glass waste collection if you are a business. Many plastics can also be recycled in domestic recycling bins, so check your local recycling collections to see if your candle container is accepted.
If you don't want to recycle the container, there are other ways to repurpose it. You can use it as a whisky tumbler, a mini plant pot, or simply purchase a candle wax refill to place inside and give your old candle jar a new life.
Some candle manufacturers also offer recycling programs for their products. For example, Yankee Candle Company, Wood Wick, and Chesapeake Bay have partnered with TerraCycle to offer a free recycling program for their candles. You can drop off your used candles at a local Yankee Candle store or print a prepaid postage label to ship them to TerraCycle.
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Frequently asked questions
Small amounts of solid candle wax can be disposed of in domestic and commercial general waste bins. However, candle wax can also be reused to make new candles. If you want to repurpose the wax, you can melt it and then mould it into a new candle shape. Alternatively, you can donate it to St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, Oregon, which makes products from recycled wax.
Glass candle jars are 100% recyclable. However, you must ensure that you have completely removed any leftover wax and washed out the jar before recycling.
There are several ways to remove wax from a candle jar. One way is to boil water and pour it into the jar, leaving a little room at the top. The wax will float to the top and harden as the water cools. You can then simply pop it out or absorb it with a paper tissue or piece of kitchen roll. Alternatively, you can put the candle jar in the oven at 160 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or place it in the freezer overnight.
Waste fragrance-free candle wax can be composted and should take around two months to break down. However, waste scented candle wax cannot be composted.
