Take-back of votive candles

The ordinance on dealing with old votive candles in Slovenia defines how the old candles are to be collected for disposal and correctly recycled.

An old votive candle is not directly hazardous waste. But its incorrect disposal can have damaging effects on the environment. Old votive candles therefore do not belong on the waste tip with other conventional municipal waste. Because when polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC) decomposes with seepage water it releases chlorine into the environment in the same way as if PVC were to be burnt. It is thus very important to have an effective system for the separate collection and recycling of votive candles.

Separate local collection

Those parts of a votive candle made of plastic or glass and metal are to be classified as packaging. This is why these candles have to be collected separately; in the appropriate containers on the graveyard marked "For votive candles only".

The graveyard administrator must ensure that visitors to the graveyard are informed about the possibilities and obligation of a separate collection of votive candles.