Ben Carter
Glass candle jars are one of the most polluting substances on Earth, taking up to 4,000 years to decompose and injuring countless animals. However, glass is also one of the easiest waste products to recycle, and there are many ways to repurpose empty candle jars. Before reusing or recycling, it is important to remove the wax. This can be done by freezing the jar and then breaking up the wax with a butter knife, or by melting the wax and pouring it out. After cleaning, candle jars can be used for storage, DIY crafts, planters, vases, bathroom organisers, or even as drinking glasses. They can also be used for food preparation, such as storing dry goods or preparing meals like salads or overnight oats.
What to do with empty candle glasses?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recycle | Clear soda-lime glass candle jars can be recycled |
| Reuse | Store food items, regrow food scraps, store homemade beauty products, use as drinking glasses, store stationery, store herbs, store dry beans, grains and other bulk items |
| Repurpose | Use as a planter, vase, bathroom organiser, paint and repurpose into decorated votives, use as a tealight holder, use as a table decor item |
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What You'll Learn
Use them for food storage
Empty candle jars can be reused for food storage. Before using them for food storage, it is important to clean the candle jars thoroughly and remove any wax residue. Here are some ways to do this:
- Place the candle jar in the freezer for a couple of hours to make the wax brittle and easier to remove. Then, use a butter knife to pop the frozen wax out of the container.
- Pour hot water into the jar to melt the wax, and then wipe it clean.
- Use a gentle scrub with a mixture of warm water and vinegar to remove stubborn residue.
- To remove labels or stickers, soak the jars in warm, soapy water for a few hours or overnight, and then gently peel off the label.
- For any remaining adhesive, apply a mixture of baking soda and cooking oil, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it away with a soft cloth.
Once the candle jars are thoroughly cleaned, they can be used for various food storage purposes:
- Storing herbs for tea or dried herbs for soaking in the bath.
- Prepping food like salads and overnight oats for consumption later in the week.
- Storing dry beans, grains, and other bulk items purchased at the supermarket.
- Fermenting food—provided the glass is food-safe. Kimchis, sauerkraut, and fire cider are all great options.
- Regrowing food scraps like green onions, celery, leafy vegetables, and bean sprouts by placing the scraps in water and letting them get some sunlight.
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Make them into drinking glasses
Glass candle jars are among the most wasteful things humans discard. Glass takes up to 40 centuries to decompose, and it's one of the most polluting materials on Earth. It's also dangerous for animals, who can cut themselves on shards or ingest them.
Before you recycle your candle jars, consider repurposing them for use around the house. One idea is to make them into drinking glasses. First, use a butter knife to gently remove the wick at the bottom of the jar, being careful not to scratch the glass. Next, wash the jar with warm, soapy water, scrubbing with a sponge or dishcloth to remove any residue, then rinse thoroughly. Your candle jar is now ready to be used as a drinking glass.
If you want to give your drinking glasses a more decorative look, you could try painting them. Just make sure to use paint that can handle high heat. You could also decorate the inside of the jar with natural items like pine cones, pine needles, or dried flowers, which can also add pleasant, subtle scents.
If you're giving your drinking glasses as gifts, you could fill them with homemade treats such as chocolate-covered pretzels, or use them for food fermentation—provided the glass is food-safe. Kimchis, sauerkraut, and fire cider are all great fermentation options.
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Use them for DIY crafts
Glass candle jars can be used for a variety of DIY crafts. Before using them for any DIY projects, it is important to clean the jars thoroughly by removing the wax and any labels or stickers. This can be done by freezing the jar to make the wax brittle and easier to remove or by pouring hot water to melt the wax and wiping it clean. A gentle scrub with a mixture of warm water and vinegar or baking soda can help remove stubborn residue.
Once the jars are clean, they can be used for various crafts and decorative purposes. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Storage and Organization
Empty candle jars can be used for storage and organization in various ways. You can use them to store dry goods like beans, grains, herbs, tea, and other bulk items in your pantry or refrigerator. They can also be used to store small items such as Q-tips, cotton balls, pens, pencils, or makeup brushes, adding a decorative touch to your vanity or desk.
Planters and Window Gardens
Candle jars without lids can be transformed into small planters or window gardens. You can regrow food scraps like green onions, celery, leafy vegetables, or bean sprouts by placing them in water and providing sunlight.
Food Fermentation
Wide-mouth candle jars without lids can be used for food fermentation, provided the glass is food-safe. You can ferment items like kimchi, sauerkraut, or fire cider in these jars. Covering the jar with cheesecloth can create an ideal environment for fermenting kombucha.
Table Decor
Decorative candle jars can be used as table decor by adding natural items like pine cones, pine needles, or dried flowers. You can also fill the jars with stones and place a tealight candle in the middle to create a simple and elegant centrepiece.
Painted Votives
For those who enjoy art and crafts, clean candle jars can be painted and repurposed into decorated votives. Be sure to use paint that can handle high heat.
Homemade Beauty Products
Candle jars can be used to store homemade beauty products like bath salts, dried herbs for soaking in the bath, or homemade balms made with beeswax or shea butter and essential oils.
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Use them for regrowing food scraps
Glass candle jars can be reused to regrow food scraps. Before using empty candle jars for food storage and regrowing food scraps, it is important to clean them thoroughly and remove any wax residue. To remove wax from the jars, you can place them in the freezer to harden the wax, making it easier to pop out, or you can pour hot water into the jar to melt the wax and wipe it clean. You can also scrub the jar with a mixture of warm water and vinegar to remove stubborn residue. It is also important to ensure that the jars have not previously contained any scented candles with chemicals that could be harmful if they come into contact with food.
Once the jars are clean, you can use them to regrow food scraps like green onions, celery, leafy vegetables, and bean sprouts. Place the scraps in water inside the jar and let them get a little sunlight. You can also use the jars to store dry goods like beans, grains, and other bulk items. Instead of using plastic bags to store these items, you can use your cleaned candle jars to store them in your pantry or refrigerator.
If you are using the jars to regrow food scraps that require direct sunlight, make sure to choose jars without lids. These jars can also be used for food fermentation, provided the glass is food-safe. Kimchis, sauerkraut, and fire cider are all great options for fermentation. You can also use the jars to store food items that do not require refrigeration, such as tea, herbs, and spices.
By reusing empty candle jars for food storage and regrowing food scraps, you can reduce waste, save money, and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. Not only are you giving new life to the jars, but you are also reducing your reliance on single-use plastic bags and containers. So, the next time you finish a candle, don't throw away the jar—give it a new purpose in your kitchen!
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Give them to someone who makes candles
If you have a friend or family member who makes candles, consider giving your empty candle glasses to them. Candle-making can be an expensive hobby, and they will surely appreciate the donation. Before you hand them over, it's a good idea to clean the jars thoroughly and remove any wax residue. There are several ways to do this:
- Place the candle jars in the freezer for a couple of hours, until the wax is frozen, and then use a butter knife to pop the wax out of the container.
- Place the candle jars in a bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water, which will melt the wax without the jar getting dangerously hot.
- Place the candle in a separate pot and slowly pour boiling water around it, making sure the water doesn't go into the candle jar itself.
- Heat the jars upside down in a low-temperature oven (less than 200 degrees F), on a tray lined with parchment paper, until the wax drips out.
Once the wax is removed, you can use a mixture of baking soda and cooking oil to remove any remaining adhesive or residue. Then, give the jars a thorough wash with warm, soapy water. You can also use a sponge or dishcloth to scrub away any remaining residue, both inside and outside the jar.
If you want to make the jars more appealing before giving them to your candle-making friend, you can decorate them. Just be sure to use paint that can handle high heat. They can then reuse the jars to make new candles, and you can feel good about repurposing your empty candle glasses instead of throwing them away.
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Frequently asked questions
To clean your candle jars, first, remove the wax. You can do this by freezing the jar and then using a butter knife to pop out the wax, or by melting the wax and pouring it out. Next, remove any labels or stickers by soaking the jar in warm, soapy water and then applying a mixture of baking soda and cooking oil to remove any remaining adhesive. Finally, wash the jar with soap and water, and scrub away any remaining residue with a sponge or dishcloth.
Yes, candle jars can be recycled, but it is important to make sure that all the wax and any labels or stickers are removed first.
There are many ways to repurpose empty candle jars. You can use them for storage, food fermentation, as drinking glasses, or for decorating your home. You can also get creative and use them for DIY crafts, planters, or bathroom organizers.
Yes, candle jars can generally be used for food storage once they are thoroughly cleaned and any wax residue is removed. However, it is important to ensure that the jars have not previously contained any scented candles with chemicals that could be harmful if in contact with food.
Yes, you can make new candles using empty candle jars. Simply clean out the jar and remove any wax residue, then refill the jar with wax and a new wick.
