You Can Use Plastic Spoons To DIY A Candle Holder, But Should You?

Plastic silverware is super convenient for parties, takeout, and days when you just cannot bring yourself to do the dishes. However, single-use plastic items contribute to plastic litter and have negative consequences for the environment. Recycling is better than simply tossing plastic silverware in the trash, but a large portion of it is not successfully recycled for various reasons. 

If you need to use plastic silverware but want to find a way to reduce the negative environmental impact, there are some clever ways to repurpose plastic silverware around the house. For example, you can reuse a large number of plastic spoons to create a spectacular candle holder that looks wonderful in any room of your home. You can achieve a good floral shape using 14, but the size and shape are adjustable based on how many spoons you wish to use. Additionally, you need hot glue, a round object to use as a base for your spoons, and spray paint of your choice. One option for the base is a mason jar lid, but any round object light enough to be supported by the handles of plastic spoons works, including other lids or a wood round. There are many other ways to personalize the project, but there are also some safety concerns you should know about before actually burning a candle in your DIY candle holder.

With these few materials, you can make your gorgeous candle holder. Using hot glue, stick plastic spoons around the circumference of your round base object so that the backs of the spoons are on the inside of the circle. Then, cut off the bowls of enough spoons to fill the gaps of the original spoon circle and glue the spoon bowls in the gaps to create a second layer. The result should look a bit like a flower with the spoon bowls as petals. Once the hot glue has cooled completely, spray paint the whole project whatever color you chose. Gold and silver are classic options that look elegant and match most rooms while bold, bright colors can emphasize the floral design and make the piece stand out more. To get a great result, check out TikTok's time-saving tips that make spray paint projects a breeze. After the paint dries, you can set your candle inside and enjoy your completed project. 

However, you might want to think twice before lighting the candle. Single-use plastic spoons can be made from a couple different materials, but the maximum heat resistance of the most heat-tolerant type is about 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This is fine for food, but the flames of candles are far hotter, plus molten wax can reach up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit in some cases. As beautiful as your DIY candle holder is, disposable spoons are not the best material to have near an open flame since they risk melting.

If you love the idea of this project and do not want to risk the fire hazard of a lit candle, you have a few options. The first alternative is to simply avoid lighting the candle. Choose a decorative candle in a pretty color and make sure your household knows not to light it. Another simple swap is to replace the real candle with a fake one. This lets you get the look of a lit candle without the heat, plus fake candles are often lighter than real wax candles, even when they have batteries installed. Finally, you can remove the candle altogether and use your project to store other objects, such as a small vase with flowers. 

For a more durable and heat-resistant option, replace the plastic spoons with metal spoons. Whether you have extra spoons around your home or a well-stocked thrift store nearby, using metal spoons makes your project stronger. Of course, you need heavy-duty tools to remove the handles from the spoons and file the edges, and you may want to experiment with stronger adhesives designed for use on metal. If you still have an abundance of plastic spoons left after completing this project, you can repeat the process to make a matching set or grab an old light cover and your plastic spoons to DIY an adorable vase on the cheap. Either way, you keep single-use plastic out of landfills while making your home more beautiful.