Brooke Martin
Birthday candles are a fun way to celebrate, but what happens to them after the party is over? Recycling candles is a great way to reduce waste and promote sustainability. However, it's not as simple as tossing them in the recycling bin. Due to their composition, not all candles are recyclable, and even the recyclable ones require some extra steps to ensure proper disposal. In this guide, we will teach you how to recycle birthday candles, from removing the wax to finding the right recycling facilities. We will also explore creative ways to reuse candle jars and leftover wax, so you can give your old birthday candles new life!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Step | Check the candle composition and ensure it is recyclable. Most candles are made of glass, ceramic, or tin. |
| Glass | Borosilicate glass is durable and heat-resistant but not accepted at local recycling centers. Soda-lime glass is recyclable but unsafe when heated. |
| Ceramic | Accepted at commercial recycling centers but not local ones. Commonly reused in construction materials. |
| Tin | Accepted at most local recycling centers. |
| Next Steps | Burn the candle, then boil water to remove remaining wax. Place the jar in the freezer to make wax removal easier. |
| Reuse Ideas | Candle jars can be reused as containers, planters, vases, or decorative holders. The wax can be melted to make new candles. |
| Commercial Recycling | Some manufacturers offer free recycling programs through partnerships with companies like TerraCycle. |
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What You'll Learn
How to remove wax from candle jars
To recycle birthday candles, you must first remove any leftover wax and clean the jars thoroughly. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to remove wax from candle jars:
- Boil a pot of water. This will be used to melt and remove the wax from the jar.
- Place an old towel on your work surface to catch any wax drips and minimise the mess.
- Once the water has boiled, pour it directly into the candle jar, filling it almost to the top.
- Allow the wax to melt and float to the top.
- Wait for the water to cool. As the water cools, the wax will begin to harden.
- Once the wax has hardened, use a spoon to gently remove it from the jar. Alternatively, you can use a butter knife to pry out the wax, especially if it is frozen.
- Ensure that you remove all wax residue. The jar should be completely clean before recycling or reusing it.
If you have multiple candles to recycle and some freezer space, you can try the following method:
- Place the candles in the freezer for a couple of hours or until the wax is frozen solid.
- Before freezing, you can try to break up the wax a little to make it easier to remove once frozen.
- Use a butter knife to pop out the frozen wax from the container.
Most candle jars are made of glass and can be recycled. However, it is important to note that not all glass is accepted at local recycling centres. Check the type of glass your candle jar is made of before attempting to recycle it. Alternatively, you can reuse the cleaned jars for new candles or as containers for other items such as makeup brushes, office supplies, or even as planters or vases.
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How to recycle candle jars
Candle jars are often made of glass, which is widely recyclable. However, not all glass can be recycled. Most candle jars are made of borosilicate glass, which is durable and heat-resistant, but this type of glass is not accepted at most local recycling centres. Instead, take borosilicate glass to a commercial recycling plant.
Before recycling, candle jars should be cleaned to avoid contaminating the batch with wax residue. This is called wishcycling and can do more harm than good. To clean your candle jar, follow these steps:
- Burn the candle to your heart's content.
- Once the candle is nearly finished, extinguish the flame and allow the wax to cool completely (at least four hours).
- Boil a pot of water.
- Place an old towel on a flat surface to minimise mess.
- Pour the boiling water into the candle jar, filling it around three-quarters full. The hot water will melt the wax, causing it to rise to the surface.
- Wait for the water to cool and the wax to harden, then remove the wax from the jar.
- Compost the wax if it is made with 100% natural wax (soy, beeswax, coconut, etc) and non-toxic fragrances.
- Clean the jar.
- Recycle the jar according to your local guidelines.
Alternatively, you can reuse candle jars for a variety of purposes, such as:
- Planters
- Vases
- Containers for makeup brushes, pens, or other vanity items
- Kitchen or office storage
- Candle holders for tea lights or small votive candles
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How to make new candles from birthday candles
Birthday candles are typically made of paraffin, a petroleum byproduct, or soy. They can also be made with gels and other types of chemical waxes. While it is difficult to recycle the wax itself, there are ways to recycle or reuse the wax and the candle jars.
Removing Wax from Jars
To remove wax from candle jars, place the candle in the freezer for a couple of hours. Once the wax is frozen, use a butter knife or spoon to pop the wax out of the container. Alternatively, you can melt the wax by pouring boiling water directly into the jar. Allow the water to cool, then remove the wax once it has hardened.
Recycling Wax
Although it is challenging to recycle wax, there are some options available. One option is to melt the wax and create new candles. You can purchase candle wicks and use moulds to create new candles from the recycled wax. You can also add essential oils, dried flowers, or other decorative items to your recycled candles. Just be sure to use items that can withstand the heat of the wax.
Another option for recycling wax is to donate it to a local thrift store or nonprofit organization. Some organizations, like the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County in Oregon, collect partially used candles, melt them down, and combine them with other materials to create new products like fire starters or wax bricks for crafting.
Reusing Candle Jars
Once the wax has been removed, candle jars can be reused or recycled. Most candle jars are made of glass, which can be recycled or reused. Before recycling, check that the glass is accepted by your local recycling program. Candle jars can also be reused in a variety of ways, such as planters, vases, pen holders, or new candle holders.
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How to decorate recycled candles
To decorate recycled candles, you can get creative by adding items like seashells, flowers, or plastic figurines. Ensure that these items can withstand the heat of the wax. You can also alternate the colouring of your recycled candles by adding one wax colour at a time. Allow the wax to cool and form a firm top before adding the next colour.
If you are reusing a candle jar, ensure that you have thoroughly cleaned the jar and removed all wax residue. You can do this by placing the jar in the freezer and then using a butter knife to pop out the frozen wax. Alternatively, you can boil water and pour it into the jar, allowing the wax to float to the top and then removing it once the water has cooled.
Once your jar is clean, you can decorate it in a variety of ways. You can use it as a planter, a vase, or a decorative container for holding items such as makeup brushes or office supplies. You can also use it as a candle holder again by placing a new candle inside. If you want to get creative, you can melt down the leftover wax from your old candles and create new candles in your recycled jars.
When decorating your recycled candles or jars, you can add essential oils to scent them, but be careful not to add too much to avoid an overpowering scent. You can also decorate your candles with various colours to complement your home décor.
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How to recycle birthday candles without jars
Birthday candles are small and usually come in packs, so it's easy to go through a lot of them. While the wax is not recyclable, there are ways to recycle or repurpose the containers they come in.
Glass Jars
Glass is one of the easiest waste products to recycle, but it's also one of the most polluting substances on Earth. It takes glass up to 4,000 years to decompose, and it injures countless animals who cut themselves on shards or ingest them.
If you want to recycle your glass candle jars, you'll first need to remove the wax. You can do this by:
- Using a butter knife to cut the wax, then freezing the jar to make the wax easier to pop out.
- Placing the jar in the oven at 160 degrees for 10-15 minutes, then pouring the melted wax into something you're going to throw out anyway.
- Placing the jar in a larger container and pouring boiling water into it. The wax will float to the top and can be scooped out.
Once the wax is removed, clean the jar with soapy water and it's ready to be recycled. Check with your local recycling program to see if they accept glass jars.
Aluminium Tins
Aluminium tins can be recycled alongside your grocery food cans, usually in mixed recycling bins.
Ceramic Jars
Ceramic jars are not usually recyclable through regular curbside systems, but they are far less harmful to the environment if they ever do get tossed, as they're made from natural clay and minerals.
Repurposing
If you don't want to recycle your birthday candle containers, you can repurpose them. Jars can be used for storage, DIY crafts, planters, vases, and bathroom organizers. You can also refill empty candle jars with wax to make new candles.
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