What to do with glass jars?

If you’re like me, you have a cupboard full of glass jars of all sizes. Washed out spaghetti sauce jars, olive jars, fancy yogurt jars, kombucha vessels. Sometimes I think to myself “ why am I keeping these? They are just taking up space.” Then I see a creative project on TikTok or I get the whim to make some pickled veggies and just like that, half of my backstock is being used. Since my last post was all doom and gloom, (basically showing that most plastic isn’t recycled- despite having three arrows that LOOK like a recycle sign on them!) I’ve decided to create a fun and informative post about the multitude of things you can do with leftover glass jars. And yes, we know glass can be recycled (and actually is!) but, that also uses precious resources- think of the gas used for the recycling truck to go from point A to B, the machines used to melt it down and process it and the labor that goes into it all. I’m not saying don’t recycle, but if you can re-use what already exists- that's even better!

In the Kitchen 

Spice Jars

Glass jars are great for storing spices because they form an airtight seal, keeping them fresh for up to 24 months! They are durable, non-porous, and free from microplastic toxins. Also, you can bring them to bulk grocery stores and cut the plastic waste out of the equation. Just remember to keep the spice jars out of direct sunlight and in a dry environment with mild temperatures.

Pickling containers

You’ll want to thoroughly wash and sanitize your jars before use for pickling, but with so many different shapes and sizes, think of all the possibilities! Some of my favorite pickles are watermelon, zucchini, and garlic. To avoid spoilage, be sure to follow a recipe online, or even better, check out this book The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Katz.

Shrub Drink

If you like tart, tangy drinks, you’ve got to make a shrub! All you need is vinegar, sugar, and fresh fruit. Berries are great since they mash up easily and the natural sugars make fermentation a breeze. After a few weeks, strain and add some soda water for a refreshing, (mostly healthy) beverage.

Meal Prep

Overnight oats are great if you have the foresight for them. Layer your salad inside with the dressing at the bottom, then mix when you’re ready to eat. You can also substitute Tupperware with glass jars, using them for leftovers or after you’ve pre-cut your produce for the week.

In the Bathroom

Storage

Organize things like floss pics, cue tips and cotton balls. Make a designated cup to hold your toothbrush upright. Make candles or air fresheners. Use a jar to store your toilet brush (and please- never for anything else!)

In the Garage

Battery Storage

As mentioned in my first blog post, you can keep dead batteries in a glass jar until you have enough to recycle them.

Nail and screw storage

Screw the lids onto a 2 x 4 and fill each jar with different types of nails and screws. Then screw the jars back onto the lids.

In the Garden

Hummingbird feeder, tiki torch, outdoor bottle tree, herb garden.

As you can see, the list of things you can do to re-use your glass jars is endless! So go ahead and designate a space to store your glass until you can give it a new life. I know some of you may be thinking that isn’t very “minimalist” advice. While that may be true, it can help limit future consumption and save you time and money in the long run. For instance, instead of purchasing more plant pots while you’re at the store, you may have an "ah-ha!" moment and remember that you don’t really need a new plant pot, since you have some jars waiting to be reused at home. If you decide to make something inspired by this blog, please post it to Instagram and tag @clutter.call.camille so we can see and share! Happy creative re-using!