Empty Vessel Bring Back!
Growing up, I never really thought much about the idea of “waste”. In our house, we always cleaned plates and didn’t run water too long while we washed dishes, and recycled soda cans each week, but we never really talked about what it mean to be environmentally friendly—we just did those things!
But one day, I remember watching an episode of a cartoon show on where the whole episode was about saving how people could help rescue the town by doing three things: REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE. To this day, I can sing the song that they made up to teach about taking care of the environment and reducing pollution. (Check out a link to the clip/lyrics at the bottom)
Who says all TV is bad??
Fast forward to last fall when I put out a poll via Instagram and asked people what they did with their glass vessels after burning down their candles. I was blown away to find out that a healthy portion of the people who responded said that they throw away the glass jars! It never occurred to me, especially as a person who tries to reuse or recycle just about anything, that the jars weren’t going to use after the candle were finished.
So, in an effort to reduce a little bit of waste and to create an incentive for people to think about the benefits of recycling their old candle jars, the Empty Vessel Bring Back program was born!
Now, can bring your empty Usu Company candle vessels to any local market that I participate in, and get a $4 discount on a new candle!
Here’s what you need to know about Empty Vessel Bring Back:
* The jar doesn’t have to be completely cleaned out but I does need to be empty/fully burned down (no half burned candles). Oh, and it does have to be an Usu Company candle :)
* You don’t have to have the lid but it’s great if you do!
*CLEAR, 8oz vessels only, please!
*You don’t need to peel off the label.
*The new candle that you buy CAN be a different scent from the scent of the jar that you return.
*Only local, in-person returns for now
Hopefully in the future, the program can expand to anyone, anywhere who has vessels that they’d like to return, but in the meantime, here are some great ways that you can make use of those beautiful glass jars!
Propagate plants! This seems to be one of the most popular uses
Water/Cocktail glass set. Fun fact, Usu Company candle jars are actually made to be drink tumblers! You can wash and use them as water glasses or for cocktails.
Storage containers. My empties usually end up being cup holders or toiletries holders. Cotton balls, pens, mints, paintbrushes…they fit just about anything.
What are some ways that you’ve reused your empty candle jars, or tried to reduce waste in your day-to-day activies?
It can feel overwhelming to try and do everything , but we can all do something small to help out and be a little more resourceful with the extra things we have in our lives.
P.S. Here’s the video link! http://www.nickalive.net/2016/04/recycle-song-rockos-modern-life-splat.html