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How To Reuse & Recycle

Your Old Candles

04.01.2023

As Hilary Duff herself recently stated in New York Magazine’s “Things She Can’t Live Without,” article, she is currently obsessed with candles. She can’t stop buying them, and to be honest, neither can we. Beyond their incredible scents and ambiance, the jars themselves are actually quite easy to reuse and recycle. In honor of Sustainability Month, we’re going to give you the tips on how to do exactly that. 

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Tip #1: Create Mini Planters 

Succulents and/or your burgeoning herb garden will fit perfectly in an 8oz or 12oz container, like this one for example. Just make sure you don’t overfill them with water since they won’t have a drain built in.  

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Tip #2: Turn Them Into Brush or Pencil Holders 

We’re talking pens, pencils, office supplies, even makeup brushes. With aesthetically pleasing candles like this one, your bathroom and/or office deserve this sustainable refresh. 

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Tip #3: Recycle Them… The Right Way 

Unfortunately, you can't just throw a used candle into the recycling bin. There are three good ways to remove all of the excess wax so that your candle doesn’t just get added to the landfills. 

Freeze It

Place your empty candle in a freezer overnight and in the morning, use a butter knife to loosen the edges or create a crack through the middle to dislodge the pieces. 

Melt It 

Add boiling hot water to the container and let it sit for a few minutes. Once it’s melted off, you can pour out the melted wax. 

Wash It 

Try filling the jar with hot soapy water. After it soaks for 30 minutes to an hour, you can scrub out the inside

Beyond reusing and recycling candle jars, there are so many ways to practice more sustainability in your day to day. Whether you’re looking to donate to some climate-friendly organizations or want more actionable tips on how to change up your habits, make sure you’ve subscribed to our emails and follow us on socials.