What to Do With Your Candle Jar When It’s Finished

Please don't just throw your candle jar in the bin!

If you really can't be bothered cleaning it out and finding a new use for it, please at least recycle it. But if you're more inclined to be a bit creative and reuse it, here are a few ideas.

The coconut and rapeseed wax I use is fairly soft, so it's actually not too difficult to get the last of it out. I usually use a teaspoon or a blunt butter knife to lift out the remaining wax.

There'll usually be a little bit left around the bottom and sides, so I warm the jar slightly to soften this and then wipe it out with a tissue or some kitchen roll before washing the jar with warm soapy water.

The hardest part is probably the label residue. It does come off, but it can take a bit of work. A good soak and a bit of scrubbing usually does the job.

Once it's clean, you've got a nice amber glass jar that can be used for all sorts of things.

A few ideas:

• Cotton pads or hair ties

• Jewellery

• Make-up brushes

• Pens and pencils

• Matches or tealights

• Small plants or cuttings

I'm also looking into whether a jar return scheme could work for Light & Align. I'd love to find a way of getting some of the jars back and giving them another use, but I also need to be realistic about what I can manage as a very small business. I don't want to create a lovely idea that then leaves me with a mountain of jars to clean every week.

So for now, if you've got an empty Light & Align jar, get creative with it if you fancy it.

And if you really can't be bothered, that's okay too. Just please recycle it.