Can You Recycle Yankee Candle Lids?
Yankee Candle is an extremely popular candle brand known for its wide variety of scented candles. Based in Massachusetts, the company has grown since its start in 1969 to become the largest candle manufacturer in America. Yankee Candles are sold in their own retail stores as well as major retailers across the country.
With the brand’s popularity, Yankee Candle products can be found in millions of homes. However, once these candles are finished, many consumers are unsure what to do with the empty glass jars and metal lids. Properly recycling these materials is important for several reasons.
First, recycling glass and metal reduces the energy needed to create new products compared to using raw materials. It also decreases emissions and waste sent to landfills. Given the enormous number of Yankee Candles sold, recycling their jars and lids can have a significant environmental benefit.
Additionally, recycling helps sustain the supply of natural resources. Glass and metals can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality. Recycling Yankee Candle materials keeps these resources in use and available for future products.
With some basic knowledge, Yankee Candle enthusiasts can easily recycle their used jars and lids. This article will provide guidance on how to properly recycle different Yankee Candle components based on the lid material.
Yankee Candle Lid Materials
Yankee Candle uses several common materials for their jar candle lids, each with their own benefits and drawbacks when it comes to recycling:
Metal – Most metal lids, often made of aluminum or tin, are fully recyclable. Metals can be re-melted and reformed repeatedly with no loss of quality. Recycling metal reduces the environmental impact of mining new materials.
Plastic – Many lids are made from polypropylene plastic. While technically recyclable, plastic recycling can be complicated depending on the resin codes and availability of facilities. Plastics may degrade in quality when recycled.
Glass – Some ornate or vintage jar lids from Yankee Candle are made of glass. Glass is infinitely recyclable if sorted properly. However, glass lids require extra steps for safe removal before recycling the jar.
How to Identify Lid Materials
Yankee Candle lids can be made from a variety of materials including metal, plastic, and glass. Here’s how to identify what material your candle lid is made from:
Metal Lids
Metal lids are typically made from aluminum or tin. They will be silver/grey in color and feel lightweight if you pick them up. Metal lids may have seam marks along the sides or bottom from the manufacturing process. Some metal lids are decorative and painted with designs.
Plastic Lids
Plastic lids can come in many colors but are most commonly white, black or clear. They will feel very lightweight if picked up and may have “recycle” symbols on the bottom with a number inside. Plastic lids are smooth with no seam marks.
Glass Lids
Glass lids range from clear to colored glass. They feel smooth and solid. Glass lids are heavier than plastic or metal when picked up. They may have molded or engraved designs on the surface. There are no seam marks on glass.
Recycling Metal Lids
Metal lids from Yankee Candles can typically be recycled through your local curbside recycling program. The lids are usually made from tin, steel or aluminum, all of which are widely accepted by recycling facilities.
Before recycling metal candle lids, make sure to remove any wax, stickers or paper labels. Give them a quick rinse to remove residual wax or oils. Once cleaned, the metal lids can simply be tossed in your recycling bin alongside other metals like soup cans, aluminum foil and empty aerosol cans.
If you have a large amount of lids to recycle, you may want to gather them together in a bag and bring them directly to your local recycling center. Scrap metal is typically accepted for free at most facilities. Recycling metal saves energy and reduces the need for mining new materials.
Recycling Plastic Lids
Many Yankee Candle lids are made from plastic, which is widely recyclable. However, proper preparation is an important step before placing plastic lids in your recycling bin.
Start by giving the lids a quick rinse to remove any residual wax or fragrance. You don’t need hot water or soap; a quick swish under cool tap water is sufficient. Make sure the lids are completely dry before recycling.
Inspect the plastic lid for a recycling symbol, usually a number inside the universal recycling arrows. #1 (polyethylene terephthalate or PET) and #2 (high density polyethylene or HDPE) plastics are commonly accepted by curbside recycling programs. If the lid does not have a recycling symbol, contact your local recycling center to see if unknown plastics are accepted.
Remove any non-plastic components like metal rings or wax remnants. Recyclers need clean plastic only.
Once prepped, simply place the plastic lids in your curbside recycling bin or take to a drop-off location. By recycling plastic Yankee Candle lids properly, you help divert waste from landfills and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Recycling Glass Lids
Yankee candle jars sometimes come with glass lids. These lids have metal rings around the edges that hold them in place on the jar. Glass is fully recyclable and accepted by most municipal recycling programs. However, the metal ring will need to be removed before putting the glass lid in the recycling bin.
To prepare a Yankee candle glass lid for recycling:
- Use your hands or pliers to remove the metal ring from the glass lid.
- Make sure all remaining wax residue is cleaned off the glass.
- You can wash the lids in warm, soapy water if needed.
- Dispose of the metal ring in your regular trash.
- Place the clean glass lid in your recycling bin.
Check with your local recycling program to confirm that glass lids are accepted. Some programs may ask that lids be placed in a separate bin. Preparing the glass lids properly by removing any non-glass components is key to ensuring they can be successfully recycled.
Locating Recycling Centers
Finding a local recycling center that accepts candle lids can take some research, but here are a few tips to get started:
Check with your municipal recycling program to see if they accept plastic, metal or glass lids. Many city and county recycling services have lookup tools on their websites where you can enter your zip code and find recycling guidelines.
For private recycling centers, search online directories like Earth911.com and RecycleNation.com. Enter your zip code to find facilities nearby. Not all will accept candle lids, so you may need to call and ask about their policies.
Once you locate potential recycling centers, look on their website or call and specifically ask if they accept metal, plastic or glass candle lids. Be sure to note any special instructions they may have, like rinsing lids before drop-off.
If your regular recycling service doesn’t accept candle lids, establishing a relationship with a private recycling center can make disposing of candle containers much easier. With a few calls, you can find the right facility for your local recycling needs.
Alternatives to Recycling
If recycling is not readily available in your area, there are creative ways to reuse Yankee Candle lids instead of throwing them in the trash.
One idea is to use the metal lids for crafts. The flat surface can be painted or decoupaged to make Christmas ornaments, refrigerator magnets, coasters, or wall art. Get creative with designs, or let kids decorate them.
Plastic lids work well for sewing projects. Cut circles out of fabric or felt to make mini throw pillows by sandwiching the material between two lids hot glued together. The lids make a perfect frame shape.
Both metal and plastic lids can also be repurposed as drawer organizers in a workshop, craft room, office, or garage. Screw a salvaged lid to the inside of a drawer to corral small items like nails, screws, rubber bands, or jewelry findings.
For an easy upcycle, turn large glass jar lids into mini picture frames. Print out photos, illustrations, or artwork small enough to fit under the lid, then glue or adhere them to the underside of the glass lid for instant display pieces.
With a little imagination, Yankee Candle lids can be given new life. Repurposing them keeps the materials out of landfills. And making crafts or organizers is a fun DIY project for all ages.
The Importance of Proper Recycling
Recycling Yankee Candle lids properly provides important environmental benefits that we should all be aware of. When lids are recycled correctly, the materials can be reused to make new products. This reduces waste, saves raw materials, and lessens the energy needed to create new items from scratch. Improperly recycled or discarded lids may end up in landfills, where they can take centuries to decompose. Metals and plastics may also release toxins as they break down over time.
By taking the time to clean lids and sort them into the proper recycling bins, we ensure these materials re-enter manufacturing streams instead of harming the planet. Local recycling centers can provide guidance on how to properly prepare and recycle candle lids in your community. With some simple effort, we can reduce unnecessary waste and protect our environment for current and future generations.
Conclusion
In summary, the key steps for recycling Yankee Candle lids are identifying the lid material, finding local recycling centers that accept that material, and properly preparing the lids for recycling according to the requirements. Metal lids can usually be recycled curbside, while plastic and glass often require drop-off locations. Before putting lids in your recycling bin, make sure to clean off any residual wax or labels. Recycling takes more effort than trash, but it is essential for reducing waste and preserving natural resources.
We encourage all Yankee Candle consumers to take the extra time to properly recycle their used candle lids. Small repeated actions by individuals can add up to make a meaningful positive impact. Recycling keeps lids out of landfills, and allows the materials to be reused in new products. By becoming informed about your local recycling options, and taking the steps outlined here, you can directly contribute to a greener, more sustainable future through recycling.
