Glass jars are a staple in a sustainable household and can be used for so many different things. I aspire to own less instead of more, therefore any single item that can fulfill multiple purposes is near and dear to my heart.
This is one of the reasons why glass jars have earned their place as the most sustainable item in my home. One jar, many uses–score!
Mason jars are the poster child of the zero waste movement, and with good reason. I remember a few months ago telling one of my friends how much I love mason jars and her response was “Why? It’s just a jar.“
If you follow some top notch zero waste bloggers on Instagram, I’m sure you’ve seen the iconic mason jar of trash or the aesthetically pleasing plastic-free, mason jar filled pantries.
To somebody who is chasing a zero waste lifestyle, a mason jar holds infinite possibilities. It’s not just a jar. It’s a water bottle. A coffee cup. Pantry storage. A lunchbox. And the list goes on and on.
I have a whole cupboard full of glass jars, all shapes and sizes for whatever occasion might arise. Here are my top 9 ways to utilize these bad boys.
1. Freezer friendly food storage
Freezing in glass might seem unsafe and scary, but the possible chemicals leaching into your food from freezing in plastic is much scarier to me. If you follow a few simple guidelines, you’re well on your way to freezing in glass without ever shattering a jar. Here’s a simple guide to get you started.
2. DIY beauty products
I’m just getting started in this area, but I did recently whip up some body butter to use in place of lotion. Where did I put it? Right into a glass jar! I also recently made my own mascara/eyeliner (read about that experience here) and put that into a small glass jar too.
3. Pantry organization
Whether you’re buying at a bulk food store or just buying in bulk at your local grocery store, it still looks classy and clean as hell to have these beautiful little jars lined up on your shelf. Even when I buy dry goods in plastic (my giant bag of rice), I immediately fill up my jar and stick it back on the shelf.
4. Water bottle
I love that you can take just one jar with you when you’re on the go and it can serve so many different purposes! A mason jar is a necessity for anybody traveling sustainably.
I love taking a pint-sized mason jar when I’m running errands to use as a water bottle. It just tastes good to drink out of glass! It’s also easy for me to track how much water I’m drinking (2 cups in a pint).
5. Takeout container
Since you already have your mason jar along for water, go ahead and chug that water and use it as a doggy bag after you’re done eating out! Leftovers can easily be tossed into a jar and reheated for later. Skip that nasty Styrofoam box altogether. If I Google “Styrofoam decomposition time,” Google tells me it’ll take 500 years–forever. No, thank you.
6. Flower vase
Use a tall, skinny glass jar to put your cut flowers in. It gives off a clean, minimalist vibe that looks beautiful sitting on your kitchen table. No need for vases when you have jars!
7. Coffee cup
You can totally get your Starbucks drink in a mason jar. I haven’t tried it myself since I tend to drink my coffee at home, but I found this article detailing one lady’s experience. Sounds like a sustainability win to me!
8. Lunch containers
Soups, salads and snacks like chips or trail mix all are great uses for a glass jar! I never even realized you could microwave a glass jar until recently. Just use one of the ones with a handle so you don’t burn yourself.
9. Home decor/organization
Put some seashells in a tall skinny jar and use it as a book end. Use jars to keep your pens and pencils neat for your workspace. Put your makeup brushes in a mason jar in your bathroom. The possibilities are endless.
Well, there you have it!
There are the 9 ways you can use glass jars around your home (and on the go too!) to help save the planet. Using something that is coming into your home anyways means you don’t have to buy something brand new. When you aren’t buying brand new, you aren’t sending signals up the supply chain to produce more. And the less being produced, the better for our Mama Earth.
So save the jars coming into your kitchen, soak the labels off (use hot water!), and find a use around your home for them!
What ways do you use glass jars around your house? Let me know if there’s an unusual use you’ve found for the all-encompassing glass jar!
“Like” x 9! Thank you–very informative!
I’m happy you found it helpful!