5 Creative Ways to Upcycle and Recycle Yankee Candle Jars

DIY Upcycled Candles

One of the easiest ways to upcycle Yankee Candle jars is by turning them into new candles. All you need is some wax, wicks, and your favourite scents. There’s something special about creating your own candle, and using a jar you already love just adds to the charm.

Whether you’re into essential oils for a natural fragrance or prefer adding colour to create a layered candle, upcycling Yankee Candle jars into fresh candles gives you endless possibilities.

 Materials You’ll Need:

• Soy wax or beeswax (both are eco-friendly options)
• Wick
• Fragrance oils or essential oils
• Kettle

Start by cleaning out the jar—this is crucial for removing any leftover wax. The jar must also be free of dirt and other debris. Next, melt the wax by slowly pouring the hot water from the kettle into the jar. Once the wax is removed and the jar is cool, add your chosen scent, and secure the wick inside the jar. Carefully pour the wax into the jar, ensuring the wick stays centred as it cools.

You can even add decorative touches like dried flowers or glitter to further personalise your upcycled candles. Whether you gift them to friends or keep them for yourself, these custom candles will bring warmth and personality to any space.

Safety Tip: When making candles, melt the wax slowly to avoid overheating. Always work on a heat-resistant surface and handle hot wax with care.

Chic Storage Containers

Yankee Candle jars make excellent storage containers for various small household items. Their clear glass and sturdy lids make them perfect for storing cotton wool balls, make-up brushes, spices, or office supplies. Rather than spending money on new storage containers, why not upcycle your empty candle jars into something both stylish and practical?

 Decorating Ideas:

To give your jars a fresh look, try adding some personal touches. You can paint the lids with chalkboard paint to label each jar or use twine and fabric to decorate the outside. Consider wrapping the jars with burlap or using stencils to create custom designs for a more rustic look. These upcycled jars can also serve as attractive pantry organisers, holding anything from tea bags to pasta or dry goods.

These jars are durable, and their clear glass design makes it easy to see what’s inside. This makes the jars ideal for organising small items like jewellery, sewing supplies, or even nails and screws in the garage. Candle recycling can be stylish as well as functional!

Pro Tip: For an extra special touch, spray-paint the lids in metallic tones like gold or silver for a modern, elegant look.

DIY Terrariums

If you’re a plant lover—or even if you’re not—upcycling Yankee Candle jars into terrariums is a fantastic way to bring some greenery into your home. The jars are perfect for small, low-maintenance plants like succulents and ferns. Their wide opening and transparent sides allow plenty of light and air to filter in, making them ideal for this
type of project.

 Materials You’ll Need:

• Cleaned Yankee Candle jar
• Small pebbles or gravel
• Activated charcoal
• Potting soil
• Small plants (such as succulents, ferns, etc.)

How to Make a Terrarium:

First, layer the bottom of the jar with small pebbles or gravel to allow for drainage. Then, add a layer of activated charcoal to keep the soil fresh and odour-free. Finally, add potting soil and plant your favourite succulents or small plants. Succulents are perfect for these types of projects because they require very little water, making them ideal for a terrarium.

Terrariums are a great way to repurpose your jars and add a touch of nature to any room. Plus, they’re extremely low-maintenance, so even if you don’t have a green thumb, this project is practically fool-proof. You can even add small figurines or decorative
rocks to make your terrarium more unique.

Top Tip: Water your terrarium sparingly—succulents only need a little moisture, and too much water can cause the plants to rot.

Personalised Gift Candle Jars

A thoughtful and personal gift doesn’t have to be expensive. Why not use your upcycled Yankee Candle jars to create customised gifts?

Fill the jars with homemade bath salts, sweets, or even small trinkets for a creative, eco-friendly gift idea. This DIY gift is especially great for holidays, birthdays, or housewarming presents.

 If you need some help finding a perfect candle gift, take our home fragrance quiz.

Desk Organisers

Upcycle Yankee Candle jars into chic, functional desk organisers to keep your workspace tidy and stylish. These jars are the perfect size for holding pens, pencils, paper clips, or other small office supplies. And with a little customisation, they’ll add a personal touch
to your desk, that’s both functional and fun. 

Customisation Ideas:

The jars can be decorated with washi tape, paint, or stickers to match your office décor. The transparent glass lets you see what’s inside at a glance, which is perfect for staying organised. You could even create a matching set of desk organisers in different sizes for a cohesive look.

More Uses:

In addition to storing office supplies, these jars are great for organizing small items like USB drives, charging cables, and earphones. You can even transform a jar into a stylish phone charging station by cutting a small hole in the lid to feed your charger cable through.

Top Tip: Add adhesive rubber feet to the bottom of the jars to prevent them from sliding around or scratching the top of your desk.

Let's recap

Upcycling Yankee Candle jars is a creative way to recycle and a chance to turn something ordinary into something extraordinary. Whether you’re crafting new upcycled candles, creating stylish storage solutions, or making personalised gifts, there are countless ways to give these jars a new lease on life. Candle recycling is more than just reducing waste—it’s about embracing a sustainable, creative lifestyle.

The next time you finish a candle, don't throw away the jar. Instead, let your imagination take over and start upcycling. You’ll be surprised at the amazing things you can create!

Love candles as much as we do? Check out our collection of 100+ candles today!