With the rise of organisation and decor tiktoks and reels, glass jars have risen in popularity. While you can always buy a fresh set of glass jars, repurposing glass jars that come with pickles and spices is a good way to save some money and reduce waste.
Glass unlike plastic is reusable and safe to freeze and microwave. This makes it a good choice to repurpose it for a variety of things around the house. Here are 3 simple ways to reuse your old glass jars.
Storing food
Once you have gone through that jar of pickle, don’t throw the glass jar away. Wash it carefully to remove any lingering taste or smell of food and use it to store other foods around the house. Glass jars are a safe choice to store food in the fridge and freezer. Unlike plastic, they don’t pose the risk of leeching microplastic in your food and are safe to be used in the microwave.
Glass jars in particular are a popular choice among meal preppers. Here are some ways to use them even if you aren’t one:
- Store washed and cut veggies and fruits in them for the week
- Store your herbs in a glass jar filled with water (use different amounts of water for different herbs)
Glass jars can be used to store dry food as well so the next time your paper or plastic packaging of cereal or rice is destroyed, simply transfer it into an old glass jar.
Organisation
No one likes a bunch of pens and pencils lying around and organisation supplies can get expensive. So why not use your old glass jars to keep your home organised? These organisation jars can be left as they are or you could decorate them to match the decor of your home.
Don’t know where to get started with organising? Here are a few ways to get your ‘home organisation gears’ running:
- Use them as pen and pencil holders for your desk
- Organise your loose washing pods by putting them all in one jar
- Keep all your pins in a jar so that you don’t lose them
Growing plants
Who said you had to use plastic pots to grow plants? Glass jars are just as good for growing smaller plants.
‘Bottle plants’ are plants that are able to thrive in just a bottle and some water. This makes them ideal for those who want plants in their homes but want to avoid the maintenance that comes with it. Bottle or jar plants also come with added benefits- they can be easily moved and are small enough to hang from a hook or to keep on a windowsill.
Here are a few plants that you can plant in an old glass jar:
- Money plant
- Monstera
- Song of India
- Philodendron
- String of pearls
Glass jars can be used for various other purposes such as a money bank, or trinket jar and can even be made into a piece of DIY decor. They offer a low-cost, sustainable alternative to expensive decor and organisation tools. Another bonus point when it comes to glass is that it is easily recyclable making it better for the environment.