Tyler Brooks
Throwing away candles can be tricky, especially if you want to recycle them. While it may be tempting to toss them in the trash, this is not an environmentally friendly option. Glass jars, for example, won't decompose for at least 4,000 years and cannot be recycled with other glass items due to their unique chemical composition. Wax, whether paraffin, soy, or beeswax, also cannot be reprocessed and should not be poured down the drain as it can cause plumbing issues. However, there are several ways to responsibly dispose of candles, including repurposing the wax and containers or utilising manufacturers' recycling programs.
How to throw away candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclability of wax | Wax cannot be recycled |
| Recyclability of glass jars | Glass jars are recyclable but not in your local recycling facility |
| Disposal methods | Repurpose wax, melt wax and pour it out, freeze wax and pop it out, donate containers, repurpose containers, reuse wax |
| Recycling programs | TerraCycle offers a free recycling program for some candle manufacturers |
| Disposal of wicks | Throw away with general waste |
| Disposal of small amounts of wax | Dispose of in domestic or commercial general waste bins |
| Disposal of large amounts of wax | Mop up with kitchen towel or tissue paper and throw away with general waste |
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What You'll Learn
Removing wax from candle jars
To remove wax from candle jars, you can try the following methods:
Freezing
Place the candle jar in the freezer for several hours or overnight. The wax will freeze and shrink, making it easier to remove. Once frozen, use a butter knife or spoon to break up and pop out the wax. If there is any residue left in the jar, you can use hot water to melt and remove it.
Boiling Water
Place the candle jar on a heat-safe surface and boil a kettle. Pour the boiling water into the jar, leaving some room at the top. The wax will melt and float to the top as the water cools. Remove the wax and wash the jar with soap and water.
Oven
Place the candle jar upside down on a baking sheet in the oven at around 160-180°C. When the wax has melted, pour it out and wipe the jar with a paper towel.
Microwave
If there are small bits of wax remaining in the jar, you can put the jar in the microwave for about 30 seconds to soften the wax. Afterward, wipe away the wax with a paper towel.
Double Boiler
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.
It is important to note that you should never throw candle wax down the drain as it can cause blockages. Always dispose of wax in the general waste bin. Additionally, make sure the wax is cool and dry before throwing it away to avoid it sticking to the bin bag or posing a fire risk.
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Repurposing candle wax
There are many ways to repurpose candle wax. One way is to melt the wax and use it in a candle warmer to release a delicate fragrance. You can also pour the wax into small moulds of your choice, add a few drops of essential oil, and place pressed flowers in the wax to make floral wax sachets.
If you're feeling creative, you can make your own votives for yourself and your loved ones from the reused wax. You can also use leftover wax to make beautiful wax seals for your letters. Simply melt the remaining wax, let it cool a little, and pour it onto your envelope. Press a wax seal stamp, a wine cork, or the back of a spoon onto the wax to create an elegant, personalised touch.
If you're looking for a more functional use for your leftover candle wax, you can make scented fire starters. Pour the melted wax into paper baking cups, along with a cotton wick, and place them under wood and kindling to safely start a fire.
Another option is to create your own tealights using leftover wax, an empty tealight cup, and a small tealight wick. These cups and wicks are inexpensive and readily available at craft stores or online. Remember, different types of wax have different melting points, so be patient when melting your wax, and always take care when handling hot wax.
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Recycling candle containers
While candle wax cannot be recycled, candle containers can be repurposed or recycled.
If you want to repurpose your candle container, you must first remove the wax. You can do this by freezing the candle and then using a butter knife to pop out the wax. You can also place the candle on a baking sheet in the oven at 160 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes, melting the wax. You can then pour out the melted wax and repurpose the container. Another method is to boil water in 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. You can then remove the wax and wash the jar with soap and water.
Once the wax is removed, you can repurpose the container for a variety of uses. You can also donate the container to a thrift store.
If you do not want to repurpose the container, you can recycle it. Glass jars are 100% recyclable, but they cannot be recycled in your local recycling facility. Instead, you can take the jar to your local bottle bank or household waste recycling centre to recycle it with other glass waste.
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Disposing of candle wicks
To dispose of candle wicks, start by removing any remaining wax from the wick by melting it or freezing it. You can melt the wax by placing the candle in the oven at 160 degrees Celsius for 10 to 15 minutes or by pouring boiling water into the candle jar. If you choose to freeze the candle, leave it in the freezer overnight, and use a butter knife to pop out the frozen wax.
Once the wax has been removed, you can dispose of the wicks in your general waste bin. Any metal sustainers on the wicks can be recycled if they are cleaned and placed in your mixed recycling bin.
If you have a large amount of wax, it's best to dispose of it separately from the wicks. Small amounts of solid candle wax can be thrown away in your general waste bin, but make sure the wax is cool and dry first to avoid sticking to the bin or posing a fire risk. You can also wrap the wax in an empty packet or absorb it with a paper towel before disposal.
Alternatively, you can repurpose candle wax by melting it and using it to make new candles. Just be sure not to pour melted wax down the drain, as it will clog your pipes.
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Recycling candles via TerraCycle
While wax, whether paraffin, soy, or beeswax, cannot be reprocessed, and glass jars are not recyclable in your local recycling facility, there are still ways to dispose of candles without just throwing them in the trash. One way is to repurpose the wax and candle containers. Another way is to recycle them via TerraCycle.
Yankee Candle Company, Wood Wick, and Chesapeake Bay are some of the candle manufacturers that offer recycling for their products through TerraCycle's free recycling program. You can drop off your used candles at your local Yankee Candle store. Before going, make sure to call and verify that they accept used candles for recycling. If there is no drop-off location near you, you can visit the Yankee Candle website to print a prepaid postage label to ship your used candles to TerraCycle.
TerraCycle accepts all packaging from Yankee Candle, WoodWick, Chesapeake Bay Candle, and Friday Collective products. You can also send them your glass containers if they are not accepted by your local curbside services or municipal recycling drop-off locations. However, they ask that you use curbside recycling for any paper or cardboard packaging.
To recycle your candles through TerraCycle, collect all your empty fragrance products, print a shipping label from their website, and send your empty products to them for free. You can also upcycle your empty candle jars by reusing them as vases, planters, pen holders, or makeup brush holders.
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Frequently asked questions
Small amounts of candle wax can be disposed of in domestic and commercial general waste bins. However, it is recommended that you reuse candle wax. If you want to get rid of it, you should first separate the wax from the jar by melting it and pouring it out or freezing it and popping it out.
Once you have separated the wax from the jar, you can melt it to make a new candle. Alternatively, waste scented candle wax can be placed in a refuse bin, and waste fragrance-free candle wax can be composted.
Glass jars can be recycled at your local bottle bank or nearest household waste recycling centre. You can also repurpose the jar for a variety of uses, or donate it to a thrift store.
