Glass jars can be recycled instead of thrown away, but it is also great to reuse them. Reusing items that would otherwise end up in the trash saves a considerable amount of money, and they can be used in many practical and creative ways. Consider these frugal ideas, and reuse glass jars instead of spending money on empty containers. After all, why buy a new container one day and throw away another the next? These are some of my favorite ways to reuse empty glass jars.
Precautionary Statement
Use commonsense when using the following information. Never place food or drinks of a drastically different temperature into breakable containers. Also, never store hot steaming food with a lid in place. This can cause breakage and serious injury.
Reuse them for Hardware Storage
Keeping nuts, bolts, nails, screws, and other hardware separated is easier said than done. It is easy to toss it all into one container, but glass jars with lids can make hardware storage and organization easier than ever. Drill a hole through the lids of small glass jars of the same size, and attach the lids to the bottom of an upper shelf or a low beam in a garage, basement, or utility room. Fill the glass jars with hardware, and screw them into place. It will be easy to see what they contain, and unlike store-bought storage containers, they are free.
Reuse Glass Jars for Bulk Spices
Buying spices in bulk can save a lot of money. Instead of storing them in the original containers, save glass jars of the appropriate size. Glass olive jars are perfect for spices. Use a labeler to appropriately mark each container, or buy printer labels. Cover each label with a clear strip of heavy tape to make them waterproof. The spices will be ready to measure or liberally add to dishes.
Reuse them for Food Storage
Save money and reuse glass jars instead of buying plastic zipper bags and containers. Use large glass jars to hold snack foods and even leftovers. They can be washed in the dishwasher and used over and over. Mark the lids and the jars with color-coded enamel paint for quick and easy identification.
Reuse them for Break and Shake Scrambled Eggs
Scrambling eggs is easy when using a jar for a shaker, and this is a great way to reuse glass jars. Simply crack the eggs into the container, add one tablespoon of milk or water per egg. With the lid firmly in place, shake them up until they are scrambled. They will be ready to cook in no time, and individual servings can be prepared if desired. For fast and flavorful omelets, toss in crisp crumbled bacon, finely diced onions, or other finely diced veggies.
Reuse Glass Jars for Craft Supplies
Craft supplies can become a jumbled mess. Plastic storage organizers are available, but why buy cheaply designed containers when it is possible to reuse everyday items? Reuse glass jars of the appropriate size to store and organize everything from buttons to glitter.
Reuse Glass Jars to Make Instant Pudding
It is not necessary to create several dirty dishes when making instant pudding. All it takes is a single jar. Simply place the milk and pudding mix in a glass jar with a lid, and shake it for two to three minutes. The pudding will begin to instantly thicken. Place it in the refrigerator right away and within ten minutes or less it will be set and ready to eat. This is a great way to reuse them since this method saves a lot of time.
Reuse Glass Jars to Store Seeds
Flower seeds should be saved from year to year. Instead of buying seeds from the store each spring, reuse clean dry glass jars to store them. Keep the seeds in glass jars in a cool dark location. They will be ready to plant when spring rolls around.
Reuse Glass Jars for Pet Treats
Pet treats can quickly become stale when stored in their original pouches. Reuse glass jars to store open bags and pouches of pet treats. If soft treats have already hardened, place a slice of fresh bread in the tightly sealed container. In about two days they will be soft and as good as new. Do not throw away the bread. It can be given to the birds or other wild outdoor critters.
Reuse Glass Jars to Store Sliced Onions in the Fridge
Storing sliced onions in the fridge can create a very strong smell that can permeate other foods including eggs and sticks of butter. Instead of throwing away cut onions to avoid smelling up the fridge, and instead of buying an unnecessary plastic container, store them in glass jars with tight-fitting lids. The smell will stay inside where it belongs, and the onions will stay fresher longer. This is my favorite way to reuse glass jars that would otherwise end up in my recycling bin.
