We all have them in our homes, and most of us throw them in the recycling bin: jars. While a recycling center is a good alternative to just throwing them away, many of us are neglecting some creative ways that we can reuse jars for another purpose.
We live in a society where fast fashion and over-consumerism are taking over the culture. By rejecting this, we help the environment. One way to reject the throw-away mindset is by reusing glass products in your home. Here are five ways to reuse jars.
- Use them for smoothies and other beverages. Making smoothies and coffee at home reduces waste in numerous ways. Instead of going out and buying an overpriced, plastic, reusable or non-reusable cup that will end up in a landfill, why not just reuse that pickle jar?
- Make homemade cookies or hot cocoa mix as a gift. Making homemade gifts is one of the best ways to battle consumerism during the holidays. Putting the dry ingredients in a jar with a cute ribbon is a gift that keeps on giving. You can do this with cookie mix, hot cocoa mix, lemonade mix, and so much more.
- Use as a planter or a vase. Reusing pickle and jelly jars for flower vases is a cute way to brighten up any space in your home.
- Make a money-saver jar. This is a great way to save up for something you really want or to start a rainy-day fund. You’re now saving money and being kinder to your environment, too.
- Make sourdough starter or Kombucha. Both sourdough starter and kombucha scoby are stored in jars. This is another fun way to get creative with your food, make things at home, and reuse your jars.
This is by no means an extensive list. There are a multitude of ways you can reuse old jars in your home.. Reusing glass jars prevents us from buying plastic and is a better alternative for the environment.
According to the Glass Packaging Institute, glass does not lose its quality or purity over time, and by reusing glass, we are also reducing CO2 emissions.
So, how exactly do you do it?
Step 1: Rinse out and clean your jar with hot, soapy water. This works to get rid of any food residue.
Step 2: Remove the label. This should be easier once you have washed the jar completely.
Step 3: Dry your jar.
After you have done these steps, your jar is ready for flowers, cookie mix, or sourdough starter.
