Ben Carter
Recycling candle jars is an easy way to be more environmentally conscious. Before recycling, it is important to remove any remaining wax from the jar. This can be done by placing the candle jar in the freezer and then using a butter knife to pop out the frozen wax, or by pouring boiling water into the jar, causing the wax to float to the top and harden. After removing the wax, the jar should be cleaned with soap and warm water to remove any residue. Once the jar is clean, it can be recycled or reused. Some companies, such as Yankee Candle, offer recycling programs where consumers can send back their empty candle jars to be recycled into new products. Alternatively, candle jars can be reused as storage containers or plant pots, or for making new candles.
How to Recycle a Candle Jar
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Remove wax | Use boiling water, freeze and pop out, or melt with a hairdryer and scrape out |
| Clean jar | Use soap and warm water, or an adhesive remover for stubborn residue |
| Recycle or repurpose | Check local guidelines, or repurpose as storage or plant pots |
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What You'll Learn
How to remove wax from a candle jar
There are several ways to remove wax from a candle jar, and most methods are simple and require little time or equipment. Here is a step-by-step guide to four of the most popular methods:
Freezing
Place the jar in the freezer for several 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 then use a butter knife or spoon to pop out the wax.
Hot Water
Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Place the jar on a flat, heat-resistant surface, such as a wooden cutting board. Pour the boiling water into the jar, filling it about halfway. The wax will float to the top. Let the water cool, then pour it out into the sink, taking care to use a sink strainer to avoid clogging your drain.
Oven
Preheat your oven to between 180°F and 250°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Place the jar upside down on the pan and put it in the oven. Once the wax has melted, pour it out into the trash and wipe the inside of the jar with a paper towel.
Hair Dryer
Place the jar on a flat, heat-resistant surface. Turn on your hair dryer to the lowest setting and direct the hot air at the wax until it becomes soft and starts to melt. Wipe away the melted wax with a paper towel or cloth. Repeat until all the wax is removed.
After using any of these methods, you may need to wash the jar with warm water and dish soap to remove any remaining wax flakes or oily residue.
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How to clean a candle jar
To clean a candle jar, you must first remove the wax. Here are some methods to do so:
Boiling Water Method
Boil enough water to fill the candle jar, then pour it into the container, leaving an inch of space at the top. The hot water will melt the candle wax, causing it to float to the surface. Let it cool completely before removing the wax. With your sink drain stopped, strain the water and dispose of any remaining candle bits. Be sure to remove all wax remnants from the sink before releasing the drain stopper, as wax can clog drains.
Freezing Method
Place the candle jar in the freezer for a couple of hours or until the wax is frozen. Then, use a butter knife to pop the frozen wax out of the container. To make this process easier, try breaking up the wax a bit before freezing so that it's simpler to pop out once it's frozen.
Warm Water Method
Let the jar soak in warm water. Remove the lid and let the open candle jar sit in the sink for 30 minutes. The warm water will release the wax at the bottom of the container, making it easy to pull out.
Hairdryer Method
Use a hairdryer to soften the wax in the spent candle for removal. Turn the hairdryer on warm and heat the candle's wax from the sides and bottom. Once the wax is soft, lift or scrape it out of the container with a butter knife.
After removing the wax, you might need to clean out lingering wax residue or soot left on the glass. To do so, use warm water, soap, and a sponge to clean the container before wiping it dry with a dish towel or paper towel. For stubborn buildup, use an adhesive remover, such as Goo Gone.
Once your candle jar is impeccably clean, it is ready for recycling or repurposing.
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How to recycle candle jars with commercial recycling centres
Before recycling candle jars, it is important to remove any remaining wax. This can be done by placing the candle jar in the freezer for a few hours, allowing the wax to shrink and then be easily popped out, or by using the boiling water method, where the jar is filled with boiling water, causing the wax to melt and float to the top. After removing the wax, the jar should be cleaned with soap and warm water to remove any residue. It is important to ensure that the jar is completely clean before recycling, as wax residue can contaminate the entire batch of recycled materials.
Once the jar is clean, it can be recycled or reused. If recycling, it is important to check with local guidelines and recycling centers to ensure that candle jars are accepted. Some local recycling centers may not accept candle jars made of borosilicate glass, which is commonly used for candles due to its durability and heat resistance. In this case, commercial recycling centers or plants that accept borosilicate glass can be an option. These commercial centers can also accept ceramic candle jars, which are often not accepted at local recycling facilities.
When choosing a commercial recycling center, it is important to research and connect with them to ensure that the materials are being properly recycled and do not end up in landfills. Some companies, such as Yankee Candle, have partnered with recycling leaders like TerraCycle to offer free recycling programs for their used fragrance products, ensuring that their customers can confidently recycle their empty glass vessels.
Additionally, it is worth noting that reusing candle jars is also an option. Candle jars can be used for various purposes, such as storage for bathroom items, craft containers, or even planting succulents. Before purchasing new items, it is suggested to consider the potential reuse of candle jars to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
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How to reuse candle jars as storage
To reuse candle jars as storage, you must first remove the wax. There are several ways to do this:
- Boiling water: Boil enough water to fill the candle jar, then pour it into the container, leaving an inch of space at the top. The hot water will melt the candle wax, causing it to float to the surface. Let it cool completely before removing the wax. Then, with your sink drain stopped, strain the water and dispose of any remaining candle bits. Be sure to remove all wax remnants from the sink before releasing the drain stopper, as wax can clog drains.
- Freezing: Place the candle jar in the freezer for a couple of hours or until the wax is frozen. Then, use a butter knife to pop the frozen wax out of the container. To make this process easier, try breaking up the wax a little before freezing.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil and place your spent candles upside down on the foil. Place the baking sheet in the oven and keep an eye on the candles. After about 15 minutes, the wax should pool on the foil. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the candle jars cool before cleaning with soap and warm water.
- Hairdryer: Use a hairdryer on a warm setting to heat the candle's wax from the sides and bottom. Once the wax is soft, lift or scrape it out of the container with a butter knife.
Once the wax is removed, clean the jar with soap and warm water, or an adhesive remover for stubborn residue. You can then reuse the jar for storage. Some ideas for reusing candle jars as storage include:
- Kitchen or office organisation: Use the jars to hold pens, pencils, and other office supplies, or to store small items in your kitchen cupboards.
- Bathroom storage: Use the jars to hold cotton balls, hair ties, jewellery, makeup brushes, or other vanity items.
- Craft containers: Store craft supplies such as paintbrushes, markers, or glue sticks in the jars.
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How to repurpose candle jars for plants
Before repurposing candle jars for plants, it is important to clean them out. There are several ways to do this, including:
- Boiling water: Boil enough water to fill the candle jar, then pour it into the container, leaving an inch of space at the top. The water will melt the candle wax, causing it to float to the surface. Let it cool completely before removing the wax.
- Freezing: Place the candle jar in the freezer for a few hours or overnight. The wax will shrink and can then be easily chipped out with a knife or similar tool.
- Warm water: Fill your sink with warm water and let the candle jar soak for 30 minutes. The water will release the wax at the bottom, making it easy to pull out.
- Hairdryer: Use a hairdryer on a warm setting to soften the wax, then lift or scrape it out with a butter knife.
Once the wax has been removed, it is important to clean out any lingering wax residue or soot with warm water, soap, and a sponge. For stubborn buildup, an adhesive remover can be used.
After cleaning and drying your candle jar, you can begin the process of repurposing it for plants. Here are some tips:
- Drainage: Candle jars typically do not have drainage holes, so it is important to add a layer of rocks or drainage stones to the bottom of the jar to provide natural drainage.
- Plant type: Choose drought-tolerant plants such as succulents, cacti, or herbs that do not require a lot of moisture.
- Soil: Use a potting mix that is suitable for the plant you have chosen.
- Decoration: You can decorate your candle jar planter to match your home decor or add a personal touch.
By following these steps, you can successfully repurpose your candle jars for plants, creating a chic and eco-friendly mini garden.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to do this. One way is to boil water and pour it into the jar, leaving some space at the top. The hot water will melt the wax, causing it to float to the top. Wait for the water to cool and the wax to harden, then remove the wax. Alternatively, you can place the candle jar in the freezer for a few hours, then use a butter knife to pop out the frozen wax.
You can reuse candle jars for storage, as plant pots, or as containers for new candles.
Yes, candle jars can be recycled. However, they must be completely clean and free of any wax residue before being recycled.
To clean candle jars, use warm water, soap, and a sponge to clean the inside of the jar. For stubborn wax residue or soot, use an adhesive remover such as Goo Gone.
Yes, depending on the type of wax used, you can compost the leftovers. If the candle wax is made with 100% natural wax (soy, beeswax, coconut, etc) and nontoxic fragrances, it can be composted.
