Jessie Taylor
Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere, but what happens when they've burned down? Throwing them away is not as simple as tossing them in the trash. Not only is this harmful to the environment, but it can also be a fire hazard. So, what are some eco-friendly ways to dispose of candles?
Where do you throw away candles?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reuse candle wax | Melt down the wax and use it to top off another candle with a similar scent |
| Recycle candle container | Clean out any remaining wax and wick debris, then place the container in the appropriate recycling bin |
| Compost candle wax | If you have a compost pile, add the candle wax to it. If not, bury the wax in your garden |
| Throw away candle wax | Place pieces of waste candle wax in the refuse bin |
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What You'll Learn
Removing wax from candle containers
Freezing
Place the candle jar in the freezer overnight. The next day, take the container out of the freezer and turn it upside down. The wax should pop right out. If it doesn't, use a butter knife or a long metal spoon to gently lift and remove the wax. You can also try making small cuts in the wax with a knife before freezing to help break up the wax for easier removal.
Hot Water
Boil some water and pour it into the candle jar, filling it halfway. The hot water will melt the wax, causing it to float to the top. Let the water cool completely before removing the disk of wax from the surface. Be careful when handling hot water.
Oven
Preheat your oven to around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your candle jars upside-down on a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil. Put the baking sheet in the oven and keep an eye on it. After about 10 to 15 minutes, the wax should have melted and pooled on the foil. Remove the jars with oven mitts and let them cool before cleaning with soap and warm water.
Hairdryer
Hold the candle jar with an oven mitt and use a hairdryer set to "hot" or "warm" to heat the wax from the sides and bottom. Once the wax is softened, use a butter knife to scrape it out of the container. After removing the wax, clean the jar with warm water, soap, and a sponge to remove any residue.
Once you have removed the wax, you can repurpose the container for storage, decor, or donate it to a thrift store. You can also recycle the wax to make new candles or polish the container for reuse. Remember to always be cautious when handling hot items and follow safety precautions.
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Reusing candle containers
Removing the Wax
Before reusing or recycling your candle containers, it is important to remove the wax. Here are some methods to do so:
- Freezer Method: Place the candle in the freezer for a few hours until the wax is frozen. Then, use a butter knife to pop the frozen wax out of the container. You can make this process easier by cutting the wax with a butter knife before freezing.
- Boiling Water Method: Pour boiling water directly into the candle jar, making sure to leave some room at the top. As the water cools, the wax will harden, and you can simply pick it out. Alternatively, place the candle in a bowl of simmering water to melt the wax without heating the jar.
- Oven Method: Place the candle on a baking sheet and put it in the oven at 160 degrees Celsius for 10 to 15 minutes until the wax melts.
Reusing Ideas
Once you have removed the wax, cleaned, and dried your candle containers, here are some ways to reuse them:
- Storage: Use the containers to store small items such as toiletries (makeup brushes, cotton balls), office supplies (pens, paperclips), art supplies (paintbrushes, inks), or even jewellery.
- Planters: Candle jars, especially those with drainage holes, can be used as planters for small houseplants, succulents, or herbs. Simply add soil and your plant of choice.
- Food and Beverage Containers: Some candle jars are food-safe and can be used as glassware for beverages or even as containers for desserts and puddings.
- Home Decor: Repurpose your containers as stylish toothbrush holders, key holders, or even as a sweets box on your desk.
- Donate: If you don't plan on reusing the containers yourself, you can donate them to a thrift store so someone else can give them a new life.
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Recycling candle containers
It is important to separate the wax from the candle container before recycling. This can be done by freezing the candle and using a butter knife to pop the wax out of the container or by pouring boiling water into the candle jar and allowing the wax to float to the top and harden before removing it. Once the wax has been removed, the container can be recycled or reused. Some people choose to repurpose the containers for storage, decor, or even as candle containers again by pouring new wax into them. Others donate their used candle containers to thrift stores or give them to local artists or recyclers for reuse.
If you are looking to recycle the candle container, it is important to note that not all jurisdictions accept candle glass for recycling. For example, some counties specifically state that candle glass is not recyclable. In addition, some people argue that it is bad form to reuse containers as it increases the chances of exploding glass and hot wax. However, if you are able to recycle candle glass in your area, make sure to clean the jar thoroughly before placing it in the recycling bin.
Some candle manufacturers, such as Yankee Candle Company, Wood Wick, and Chesapeake Bay, have partnered with TerraCycle to offer free recycling programs for their products. Used candles can be dropped off at local stores or shipped to TerraCycle using a prepaid postage label.
It is worth noting that there are also ways to repurpose the wax from candles. The wax can be melted and used to make new candles, or it can be poured into something else and reused for other purposes.
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Repurposing candle wax
Melting and Reforming
To repurpose candle wax, you can melt it and reform it into new candles or other creations. First, remove the remaining wick from the candle with tongs and discard it. Then, melt the wax by placing the candle in a small pot inside a larger pot filled with simmering water. Different types of wax have different melting points, so adjust the temperature accordingly. Once the wax is melted, you can pour it into moulds of your choice and let it harden. You can also add essential oils or dried flowers to create scented candles or wax melts.
Freezing and Popping
Another method for removing wax from candle containers is to freeze the candle. Place the candle in the freezer for a few hours or overnight. The cold temperature will cause the wax to shrink and pop out of the container easily. You can then repurpose the wax by melting it and creating new candles or other wax products.
Wax Warmers and Sachets
Leftover candle wax can be used in a wax warmer to gently fragrance your space. Simply place small pieces of wax, also known as wax melts, into the warmer, and enjoy your favourite scent. You can also create your own floral wax sachets by melting the leftover wax, adding essential oils and dried flowers, and pouring the mixture into small moulds. These sachets can be placed in drawers, closets, or even your car for a pleasant scent.
Repurposing Containers
In addition to repurposing the wax itself, you can also reuse or recycle the candle containers. Glass jars can be cleaned and reused as drinking glasses, plant pots, or storage containers. Metal tins can be washed and reused for various purposes or recycled accordingly.
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Composting candle wax
When it comes to composting candle wax, the type of wax is the most important factor to consider. While some types of candle wax, such as soy wax and beeswax, are compostable, others like paraffin wax, a petroleum-based product, are not. Paraffin wax is the most common type of candle wax, and adding it to a compost pile can potentially contaminate the soil and harm the environment.
Beeswax is a natural and eco-friendly alternative to paraffin wax. It is biodegradable and can be composted, but it takes a long time to decompose fully. To speed up the process, it is recommended to break the beeswax into smaller pieces before adding them to your compost pile. A compost shredder can be useful for breaking down the beeswax.
Soy wax is another type of candle wax that is compostable. It can take several months to a year or more for soy wax to fully decompose in a compost pile, depending on factors such as the size of the wax pieces, the temperature of the compost, and the presence of microorganisms.
If you are unsure about the type of wax your candle is made of, check the label. If the label mentions that the wax is made from 100% natural ingredients, it is likely compostable. However, if the label does not list the ingredients or the wax is made from synthetic materials, it is probably paraffin wax and should not be composted.
It is worth noting that scented candle wax may contain fragrances and dyes that could be harmful to your compost pile and the environment. Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid composting scented candle wax.
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Frequently asked questions
Small amounts of solid candle wax can be disposed of in domestic and commercial general waste bins. If you have a larger amount of wax, you can melt it and pour the liquid into something you're planning to throw away. You can also compost candle wax, or bury it in your garden.
Glass candle jars are 100% recyclable. Before recycling, make sure to remove any leftover wax and wicks. You can do this by melting the wax and pouring it into something you're going to throw away, or by freezing the candle jar and using a butter knife to pop out the wax. Then, wash the jar with soap and water.
Yes, tea light candles are made from aluminium and can be recycled in most household recycling bins. Just make sure they are clean and dry before recycling.
You can reuse candle jars for other household tasks. For example, you can use them to organise your makeup and brushes, or to hold items in your bathroom such as toothbrushes and toothpaste.
