Are you gearing up to replace all your pumpkin spice candles for a fresh pine scent? Do you know what you are going to do with all your finished fall-scented candles once winter begins? Want to know how to recycle all those old candle jars you have laying around? Here are some tips on how to remove the wax from your candles and some ideas for reusing and recycling the jars!
How to Clear the Jar of Wax
Method 1: Place your candle in the freezer until the wax freezes. The frozen wax should pop right out of the container and can be loosened with a butter knife.
Method 2: Remove as much wax as you can with a spoon or knife. Create a double boiler by placing the candle inside a pot or metal bowl on a heat safe surface. Pour boiling water into the pot, ensuring it doesn’t get into the candle. Let the wax soften and remove with a spoon.
After removing the wax with a method of your choosing, clean the jar with soap and water and you’re ready for the next step.
Repurpose the Empty Jar
There are many ways to repurpose an empty candle jar! Here are a few ideas:
- Use it as a pencil holder
- Paint it and use it as decor
- Make it into a flowerpot or vase
- Store food in it or use the jar as glassware
- Make a yummy dessert like a cake jar
- Organize your bathroom
- Get creative and come up with your own use!
Make Your Own Candle
Reuse your candle jar by making it into another candle!
You can purchase wax and scents to make your own candle from a craft store. Or, save some money and use residual wax from emptying the jars and combine scents you already have to make your own!
Recycle the Jar
Candle wax is not recyclable, bust most candle jars and containers are! Once you remove the wax, you can recycle the jar if you don’t want to reuse it!
Also, consider purchasing your candles from a company that offers a recycling service. Yankee Candle, Chesapeake Bay Candle, and Wood Wick Candles have a partnership with TerraCycle, a company that allows consumers to send in their products to be recycled for free.
Information from Architectural Digest, Treehugger, San Jose Recycles, and TerraCycle.