Yes, glass candle jars are recyclable, but only once you have removed the leftover wax and the wick. A jar with wax still in it can contaminate the recycling stream, so a quick clean-out first makes all the difference.
Better still, a good glass jar has plenty of second lives before it ever reaches the recycling bin. Here is how to empty, clean, recycle, or reuse your candle jars.
Are candle jars recyclable?
Clean glass candle jars are recyclable in most kerbside recycling, and metal lids and aluminium tins usually are too, once they are empty and clean. The catch is the leftover wax: recycling facilities cannot process glass with wax stuck to it, so the jar has to be emptied and wiped out first. It is always worth checking your local council guidelines, since rules vary from place to place.
How do you get leftover wax out of a candle jar?
Getting the last of the wax out is easier than it looks. Any of these three methods works:
- The freezer method. Pop the jar in the freezer for a few hours, then the hardened wax lifts or pops out with a blunt knife.
- The hot water method. Pour boiling water into the jar, let the wax melt and float to the top, then let it set and lift it off once cool. Do not pour melted wax down the sink.
- The warm oven method. Warm the empty jars in a low oven on a lined tray until the wax softens, then wipe it out with paper towel.
Once the wax is out, wash the jar with warm soapy water, peel off the wick sticker and label, and it is ready to recycle or reuse.
How to recycle a candle jar
After cleaning, put the glass jar in your kerbside glass or mixed recycling, following your local council’s rules. Metal lids and aluminium candle tins go in with metal recycling once clean. Wicks and any plastic packaging usually go in general waste. When in doubt, a quick check of your council website saves a lot of guesswork.
Better than recycling: reuse your jars
Recycling is good, but reusing is even better, and a Honey Willow glass jar is lovely to repurpose once it is empty. Use it as a little planter, a holder for makeup brushes or pens, a spice or storage jar, or a spot for cotton buds in the bathroom. We put together ten creative ways to repurpose your Aurora candle jars if you want ideas. Giving a jar a second life is one of the simplest ways to make your candle habit greener.
Choosing candles you can clean out and reuse is part of what makes a candle eco-friendly in the first place, and it sits alongside our wider eco choices as a brand.
Frequently asked questions
Are candle jars recyclable?
Yes, clean glass candle jars are recyclable in most kerbside recycling, as are metal lids and aluminium tins. The wax has to be removed first, because leftover wax contaminates the recycling. Always check your local council guidelines, since rules vary.
How do you clean wax out of a candle jar?
Freeze the jar and pop the hardened wax out, or pour in boiling water so the wax melts and floats to the top, then lift it off once set. You can also warm the jar in a low oven and wipe it out. Finish with warm soapy water, and never pour melted wax down the sink.
Are candle tins recyclable?
Yes, aluminium candle tins are recyclable once they are empty and cleaned of wax. Remove any leftover wax and the wick, give the tin a wash, and put it in with your metal recycling. Aluminium is one of the most widely recycled materials.
What can you do with empty candle jars?
Empty, cleaned candle jars have endless second lives: use them as small planters, storage pots, brush or pen holders, spice jars, or bathroom organisers. Reusing a jar is even better for the environment than recycling it. We have a full post of ideas for repurposing them.
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