Maddie James
Recycling container candles is an important step towards reducing waste and promoting sustainability. However, it is not as simple as recycling a plastic bottle. Before recycling, the wax must be removed from the container. This can be done by freezing the candle and using a knife to pop out the wax, or by pouring boiling water into the container and allowing the wax to float to the top. It is important to never pour wax down the drain as it will clog your pipes. Once the wax is removed, the container can be recycled or reused. Glass containers can be recycled at commercial recycling plants, while tin containers can be recycled at local centres. Containers can also be reused for storage, as vases, or as decorative pots for plants.
How to Recycle Container Candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Burn the candle to your heart's content. |
| Step 2 | Extinguish the flame and let the wax cool completely. |
| Step 3 | Prepare for wax removal by boiling a pot of water. |
| Step 4 | Place an old towel on a surface to create a workspace. |
| Step 5 | Place the jar in a bowl sitting on top of the boiling pot of water. |
| Step 6 | Alternatively, pour the boiling water directly into the candle jar. |
| Step 7 | Pour the hot wax into something that is going into the landfill trash. |
| Step 8 | Do not pour the wax down the drain as it will clog your pipes. |
| Step 9 | Clean the jar and recycle or reuse it. |
| Reuse ideas | Storage, to-go mug, vases, plant pots, decor, homemade beauty products, etc. |
| Commercial recycling | Borosilicate glass, ceramic, and tin are accepted at commercial recycling plants. |
| Local recycling | Only tin candles are accepted locally. |
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What You'll Learn
Removing wax with boiling water
To recycle container candles, you must first remove the wax. One way to do this is by using boiling water.
First, prepare your workspace by placing an old towel on a flat surface, such as a kitchen table or counter. This will minimise any mess. Next, boil a pot of water. While you wait for the water to boil, you can prepare the candle jar by breaking up any remaining wax with a butter knife.
Once the water has boiled, pour it directly into the candle jar, leaving some room 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 slightly, then simply pick out the wax. Alternatively, you can place the jar in a bowl of boiling water, which will clean out the wax without heating the jar to dangerously high temperatures.
If you have multiple candles to dispose of, you may find it easier to use the freezer method. Place the candles in the freezer for a couple of hours, until the wax is frozen, then use a butter knife to pop the wax out of the container. Remember to remove the metal wick holder at the bottom of the jar.
Once you have removed the wax, you can repurpose the container for a variety of uses, such as storing bulk food items, as a to-go mug, or for homemade beauty products. You can also recycle the jar, but check what material it is made of first. Most candles are made of borosilicate glass, which is not accepted at most local recycling centres. However, you can take borosilicate glass to most commercial recycling plants.
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Removing wax by freezing
To recycle container candles, you must first remove the wax. One way to do this is by freezing the candle. This method is considered safer and more convenient than other methods such as melting the wax with a hairdryer or using boiling water.
To remove wax from a container candle by freezing, first, place the candle in the freezer for a couple of hours or until the wax is frozen. You can try to break up the wax a bit before freezing to make it simpler to pop out once it’s frozen.
Once the wax is frozen, use a butter knife or spoon to slowly and gently poke at the edges of the wax to loosen the frozen lump from its container. If the wax remains stuck to the glass and refuses to loosen up, place the candle back in the freezer for another hour or two. Don’t worry about over-freezing it!
Once you’ve loosened up the edges enough, the lump of wax should be ready to come out. If you have a pretty sizable chunk left over, turn the jar upside down and let gravity do its work. You might need to give it a little shake, and if you’re lucky, the frozen wax will pop right out.
If there is any remaining wax stuck to the glass, use a spoon to gently scrape it off. If what’s left is thinner than a fingernail, you’ll be able to scrub it off in the next step.
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.
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Cleaning the container
To recycle a container candle, the container must be completely clean of any wax residue. If you put a used, dirty candle in the recycling, it could contaminate the entire batch if the wax gets on other items. This is called "wishcycling" and does more harm than good.
One way to clean out the wax is to place the jar in a bowl sitting on top of a pot of boiling water. This will melt the wax without heating the jar to dangerously high temperatures. You can then pour the hot wax into something that is going into the landfill trash, but be careful not to pour it down the drain as it could clog your pipes. Alternatively, you can pour boiling water directly into the candle jar. Leave some room at the top, and the melted wax should float to the top. Wait for the water to cool and the wax to harden, then pick it out.
Another method is to place the candle jar in the freezer for a couple of hours. The wax will freeze, and you can use a butter knife to pop out the wax. Make sure to break up the wax beforehand to make this process easier.
If there is only a small amount of wax left in the container, you can also try baking the container in the oven on low heat until the wax drips out by itself. Line a baking pan or cookie sheet with parchment paper to absorb the wax, then place the candle containers upside down on top. Put the baking pan in the oven at 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes. If there is still wax in the container, return it to the oven for a few more minutes.
Once the wax has been removed, use paper towels to wipe the inside of the container, getting rid of any remaining wax, soot, and burned wick pieces. Also, wipe the outside and bottom of the container to remove any wax drips and debris. While you're wiping, inspect the candle container for any chips or cracks. If you find any cracks, the container is not safe to be reused with a lit candle inside.
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Reusing the container
Once the wax is removed, the container can be reused for a variety of purposes. Some people choose to repurpose the containers into vases, storage jars, or decorative pots for plants. Others use them for storing bulk food items like quinoa or rice, as to-go mugs, or for homemade beauty products. It is important to inspect the container for any chips or cracks, as these imperfections might make it unsafe to reuse, especially with a lit candle inside.
If you are not interested in reusing the container yourself, you can donate it to a thrift store or find artists or recyclers who can use them. Local candlemakers or farmers' markets might also be interested in repurposing the containers. It is worth exploring these options before tossing the containers into the trash, as glass can take thousands of years to break down in a landfill.
Additionally, it is important to note that not all candle containers are made of recyclable materials. Most candles are made of borosilicate glass, which is not accepted at most local recycling centres. However, borosilicate glass can be taken to commercial recycling plants. On the other hand, tin candles are widely accepted at local recycling centres, and ceramic candles can be recycled at most commercial recycling centres.
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Recycling the container
Recycling candle containers is a great way to reduce waste and promote sustainability. However, it's important to ensure that the containers are properly cleaned and that the wax is completely removed before recycling. Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to recycle candle containers:
Removing Wax from the Container
First, ensure that the candle has burned down completely, leaving only a small amount of wax in the container. Then, there are several methods you can use to remove the remaining wax:
- Freezer Method: Place the candle container in the freezer for a few hours until the wax freezes. Then, use a butter knife to pop out the frozen wax. Breaking up the wax a bit before freezing can make it easier to remove.
- Boiling Water Method: Boil water and pour it directly into the candle jar, leaving some space at the top. The hot water will melt the wax, causing it to float to the top. Allow the water to cool slightly, then remove the hardened wax.
- Oven Method: Line a baking pan with parchment paper to absorb the wax. Place the candle containers upside down on the baking pan and put it in an oven preheated to 180-190°F for about 10-15 minutes. The wax will melt and drip onto the parchment paper.
Cleaning the Container
Once the wax is removed, ensure that the container is thoroughly cleaned. Use paper towels or a cloth to wipe away any remaining wax, soot, or debris from the inside and outside of the container. If there is a metal wick holder glued to the bottom, you may need to apply some force to pop it out.
Before recycling, inspect the container for any chips or cracks, as damaged containers may not be suitable for reuse. If the container is in good condition, determine the material it is made of, as different materials have specific recycling requirements:
- Glass: Most candle containers are made of borosilicate glass, which is heat-resistant but not accepted at many local recycling centres. Instead, take borosilicate glass to commercial recycling plants. Soda-lime glass, identified by its green or blue tint, is recyclable but less common in candles due to its lower heat resistance.
- Ceramic: Ceramic candle containers are not typically accepted at local recycling centres but can be recycled at most commercial recycling centres, often being reused in construction materials.
- Tin: Tin candle containers are the most environmentally friendly option, as they are accepted at most local recycling centres.
If you're unsure about the material or recycling process, contact your local recycling centre for guidance. Additionally, consider reusing your cleaned candle containers for storage, decor, or donating them to thrift stores.
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Frequently asked questions
First, remove the wax. You can do this by placing the candle jar in a bowl of boiling water, or by pouring boiling water directly into the jar. You can also place the candle in the freezer for a couple of hours and then use a butter knife to pop out the wax. Next, clean the jar and recycle or reuse it.
You can melt the leftover wax and use it to make a new candle.
You can repurpose the container for a variety of uses, such as storing bulk food items, as a to-go mug, or for homemade beauty products. You can also donate the container to a thrift store.
