What Is The Yankee Candle Empty Jar Policy?

Yankee Candle’s iconic glass jars with white lids are almost as famous as the signature scented candles inside. These jars have become a staple item in homes across America, with their classic style and ability to contain the delightful scented candles for which Yankee Candle is so well-known.

Once the candle has burned through, many customers are left with an empty Yankee Candle jar and wonder what they can do with it next. This leads to the frequent question – what is Yankee Candle’s policy regarding empty jars? Can they be returned and recycled?

Yankee Candle’s Empty Jar Return Program

Yankee Candle allows customers in the United States to return empty candle jars to any of its retail stores for reuse. This unique program has been around for decades and is a core part of Yankee Candle’s brand identity. The company gladly accepts any empty Yankee Candle glass jar, regardless of how old it is or where it was originally purchased.

For each empty jar returned, customers receive a $1 credit that can be used towards a future Yankee Candle purchase. There is no limit to how many jars can be returned in a single transaction. This makes it easy and rewarding for Yankee Candle enthusiasts to recycle their used jars.

How the Return Program Works

Returning empty Yankee Candle jars is a quick and easy process. Simply bring the used jars to any Yankee Candle retail store. The jars must be empty and cleaned of any remaining wax or residue before returning. The jars also need to have the original Yankee Candle labeling still intact and not be damaged or cracked. Lids and labels do not need to be returned with the jar.

There is no limit to how many emptied Yankee Candle jars you can return at one time. The jars do not need to have been originally purchased from the store location you are returning them to. Yankee Candle accepts returns of their branded jars at any participating retail store.

What the Jars are Reused For

Yankee Candle reuses their returned empty jars in a variety of ways to reduce waste and promote sustainability:

The most popular reuse is creating new candles. Returned jars that are still in good condition are thoroughly cleaned and refilled with new wax to make jar candle products. This gives the jars a second life while reducing the environmental impact of producing new jars.

Yankee Candle also uses chipped or damaged returned jars that can’t be reused for candles to produce their affordable jar candle line. These recycled jars allow them to offer lower priced candles while still avoiding waste.

Any jars that are too damaged for reuse are broken down and recycled. The glass is crushed and can be used for various industrial purposes like creating new glass products, abrasives and more. This ensures every returned jar finds another use.

Environmental Benefits

Yankee Candle’s jar reuse program has significant environmental benefits by reducing waste. When customers return used jars, Yankee Candle can clean and reuse them rather than producing new jars. This helps conserve resources and energy used in the manufacturing process. According to Yankee Candle, the company recycles approximately 60 million jars each year through this program.

Reusing jars greatly reduces the amount of glass, metal and other materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. It’s estimated that Yankee Candle’s program saves over 20,000 tons of materials annually that do not have to be newly manufactured or disposed of as waste. The company touts their Return and Earn program as “one of the most successful recycling efforts in America.”

Beyond the raw materials saved, reusing jars also reduces demands for water, electricity and fuel that would go into creating new jars. So Yankee Candle’s reuse program provides significant environmental dividends by lowering the ecological footprint of their operations.

Alternatives for Reusing Jars

If you choose not to return your Yankee Candle jars, there are many creative ways to repurpose them at home:

• Turn jars into vases – Clean out the jar, add rocks or marbles and fresh flowers for beautiful, inexpensive vase.
• Use as bathroom storage – Q-tips, cotton balls and other bathroom essentials can be neatly stored in repurposed jars.
• Create holiday decor – Fill jars with Christmas lights, pinecones, candy canes or other festive items for seasonal decor.
• Kitchen storage – Sugar, coffee, tea and other pantry items can be kept in repurposed jars with custom labels.
• Make unique gifts – Fill jars with homemade baked goods, bath salts, cookies or other gifts for friends and family.
• Organize office supplies – Rubber bands, paper clips and more can be neatly corralled in recycled jars.
• Craft supply storage – Buttons, beads, glitter and other craft essentials can be organized in cleaned-out jars.

With a little creativity, Yankee Candle lovers can give their empty jars a variety of new uses at home if not returned to the stores for recycling.

Yankee Candle Jar Candle Line

Yankee Candle offers a special line of candles made from recycled glass jars. These affordable candles allow customers to enjoy Yankee Candle scents in a more budget-friendly jar option. The Jar Candle line features popular fragrances like Lilac Blossoms, Beach Walk, MidSummer’s Night, and many more. The recycled jars give off a beautiful glow when lit, just like the signature Yankee Candle jars. While not as ornate in design, the simple Jar Candle vessels still provide that charming candlelight ambiance.

This special line allows Yankee Candle to reuse returned jars that may have small imperfections or flaws. Any imperfect jars are recycled into this affordable candle line rather than being discarded. So customers can enjoy Yankee Candle fragrances while being eco-conscious. The Jar Candle line ranges from $7-$15, making Yankee Candle scents more accessible to all budgets. It’s a great option for Yankee Candle lovers who want to reuse jars without the commitment of buying large tumbler candles each time.

Tips for Returning Jars

If you want to participate in Yankee Candle’s empty jar return program, here are some tips to make the process smooth:

Bring jars back to the store shortly after you finish the candle. This prevents wax residue from building up and makes the jars easier to reuse. The jars should be empty and clean before returning.

Check if your local Yankee Candle store offers any perks for reward members who return jars. For example, some locations provide reward points or coupons to loyal customers who bring back empties. So make sure to bring your membership card and see if any special promotions are available.

You can return jars from any Yankee Candle product, including tumblers and votives. Just make sure to follow any special instructions from store associates to sort different jar shapes and sizes.

If you have a large haul of emptied jars, call your store ahead to see if they have room to accept them all. This helps the staff prepare for a large return.

Bring jars in a sturdy box or bag to avoid breakage. Transport and store them carefully before returning to maximize the number that can be reused.

Policy for Other Regions

The Yankee Candle empty jar return program applies specifically to their retail stores in the United States. Customers in other countries do not have an equivalent return program through Yankee Candle retail stores.

However, some international retailers like Yankee Candle in Canada offer recycling programs where customers can return used glass jars and candles. The jars are sent to recycling facilities rather than reused by Yankee Candle. Specific policies and procedures vary by retailer.

There are currently no Yankee Candle retail stores outside of the United States and Canada. However, the company does have a presence in Europe and parts of Asia through partnerships with retailers that sell Yankee Candle products. Customers in these regions cannot return jars to Yankee Candle directly. Any potential jar return programs would be facilitated through local retailers.

While the iconic empty jar return program is unique to Yankee Candle’s U.S. retail operations, the company encourages international customers to reuse or recycle jars in eco-friendly ways. Upcycling empty jars into new crafts, storage containers, or candle holders are great options. Check for any recycling programs through local retailers as well.

Conclusion

In summary, Yankee Candle has a long-standing empty jar return program that supports recycling efforts and sustainability. Customers can return used glass jars to any Yankee Candle store for free, where the jars are then reused to make new candles or recycled. This helps reduce waste, lower emissions, and conserve resources. The returned jars may be recycled into new Yankee Candle products or used for the Jar Candle line that upcycles old jars into new layered candles. Yankee Candle’s commitment to accepting returns and repurposing used jars is admirable and important for environmental stewardship. They make the returns process easy and accessible for customers across the United States. We appreciate Yankee Candle’s initiatives to be eco-friendly and give used products new life. Their empty jar policy sets a positive example of corporate recycling programs that benefit the planet.