Recycling Your Candle Jar
We know you shop with us because you care about sustainability. Each of our candles are made of 100% soy wax, which is a completely renewable and carbon neutral resource (woo hoo! already nailing sustainability goals in your home decor choices). Now that you've burned that wonderful candle down to the last 1/4-1/2" of wax, it's time to go full-circle and reuse your candle jar.
This guide makes that easy! Just follow the simple steps below to get the remaining wax out of your candle jar for a clean and *almost* new mason jar, and scroll down to the bottom of this page for ideas on how to reuse that jar in fun and creative ways (some ideas are more creative than others).*
Speaking of reusing materials, we mix our leftover wax and paper towels from making these candles with dried herbs to make fragrant little fire starters for your next camping adventure.* You can find these here.
Removing The Wax
Begin by removing the front label (label with name on it) and the bottom label (warning label) from the candle jar. Then choose from two wax removal options below:
Baking (significantly easier - recommended):
- Preheat the oven to 200°F.
- Use a sheet of aluminum foil to make a bowl shape.
- Place the used candle jar upside down (mouth of jar on bottom) in the aluminum foil bowl.
- Place the aluminum foil bowl and candle jar on a baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet with the aluminum foil bowl and candle jar in the oven @200°F degrees for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the baking sheet (don't forget oven mitts!).*
- Let cool to room temperature.
- Wipe the remaining wax from the jar with a paper towel.
- Use a scrub brush or washcloth and water to remove label residue from the jar.
- Wash by hand with dish soap or use a dishwasher.
- Ta-da! Like new mason jar.
Freezing:
- Place the used jar in a freezer for a day or two, then chip out the wax and wick bottom with a spoon or butter knife. *We recommend using gloves when removing the mason jar from the freezer, as it will be very cold.
- Let the jar come to room temperature.
- Use a scrub brush or washcloth and water to remove label residue from the jar.
- Wash by hand with dish soap or use a dishwasher.
- Ta-da! Like new mason jar.
*Don't touch hot or cold mason jars with bare hands. Let the jar(s) come to room temperature before handling. Be sure to use oven mitts to remove tray from oven and/or jar(s) from freezer. TR Candle Co and its founders, employees, and affiliates are not responsible for any misuse of oven equipment, freezer equipment, or hot or cold mason jars.
Repurposing Your Recycled Jar
Dog Treat Container:
- Don’t have a dog? Go get one. Fill the jar with treats, then feed treats to your new dog.
Cat Treat Container:
- Place cat treats in the container and then see if you can get your cat to actually come greet you.
Night Light:
- Buy some battery power string lights, turn them on, place them in the empty jar, put the lid back on. You've got a cool night light or pretty decorative lights.
Paper Weight:
- Place on a desk that has papers on it…
Plant Pot:
- Remove a plant from your neighbor's yard, place the plant in an empty jar. Now you can brag to all your friends about how you have a green thumb. Just remember not to invite that one neighbor over.
Flower Vase:
- Don't have a green thumb? Get some fresh cut flowers and place them in the jar with clean water for a fresh look - half the work.
Piggy Bank:
- Investing in stocks is great, but the best way to keep your money safe is in a used candle jar.
Storage:
- Storage ideas: tooth brushes, cotton balls, other toiletry items, sewing kits, or desk organizers. If you really liked her, your grandmother's ashes.
Art Project:
- Easy to paint and decorate to make a fun and colorful storage container or art piece.
Ship in a Bottle:
- Enough said. Please be careful with broken glass.
Sand, Rock, or Stone Sculpture:
- Who says the 90's are dead?
Soap dispenser:
- Place hand soap in clean mason jar and replace mason jar lid with a pump lid that fits the mason jar.
*We don't recommend putting any human food products in used candle jars.