i have a soft-spot … for glass jars … i think they’re great … i think they’re more than great … but before i wax poetic about how wonderful glass jars are, let me share with you some of the fabulous ways you can enjoy (i mean reuse) these man-made wonders …

glass jars can be used for so much! … each time you reuse a jar, you save the natural resources and energy it takes to manufacture a new jar, or the resources and energy it takes to recycle a used jar … you’ll also save yourself money, as well as a trip to the store …

so here we go … the multiplicity of glass jar uses … glass jars can be re-used as:

• drinking glasses (especially useful for picnics or backyard entertaining)
• storage containers to hold …
  • food left-overs
  • sewing accessories
  • nails & screws
  • paintbrushes
  • utensils for your kitchen counter top
  • loose change & small bills (i.e., a piggy bank!)
  • spices, herbs, loose tea, tea bags, coffee beans, etc.
  • bulk items such as legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, flour, etc.
  • cookies!! (mmmm …. the much coveted cookie jar!)
  • snacks including dry fruit & nut mixes
  • pot pourri or dry flowers (this is a great alternative to chemical “air fresheners”)
  • jewelry
  • any item you want to keep clean e.g., cotton balls
  • beads and other arts & crafts supplies
  • marbles
  • rubber bands, thumb tacks, paper clips, etc.
  • gardening seeds
• juice jugs
• water bottles (also great for keeping home-made vegetable juice or fruit smoothies fresh while you’re on the road)
• flower vases
• planter for potted plants –- can be used inside or outdoors in the garden
• food preserves or canning
• gifts for friends and family (e.g., fill with homemade gifts such as bath salts, herb-soaked olive oil, dry-fruit infused vinegar, massage oil, etc.)
• toilet dam (see this blog entry)
• drink mixers
• candle holders
• party lights (e.g., fill a wide-mouth jar approx. ¾ full with sand & nestle a soy-based or beeswax candle in the centre … decorate the jar with tissue paper of various colours to generate a lovely ambiance … or make a jack-o-lantern for hallowe’en … cut out and paste on eyes, nose, and mouth shapes for the jar, paint over the glass, and then remove the shapes when dry … place a candle inside …)
• paintbrush cleaners
• home-made book ends … fill jars with different coloured sand or decorate with tissue paper, felt, etc.
• home decorations –- e.g., fill with pebbles or ocean water with sea shells you collected from a hike or a visit to the coast …
• make sun tea (place a tea bag or loose herbs into a glass jar with water, place in direct sunlight, and steep sans electricity)
• donate to an artist or make your own art … e.g., make a glass mosaic
• share with family and friends who use plastic tupperware for storing leftovers … using plastic for storing foods, especially hot, spicy, or acidic foods, causes leaching of unsafe chemicals, especially from old plastic that has been used in the microwave or put into the dishwasher frequently

indeed, glass jars are versatile and worthy of a 2nd or 3rd or 4th chance to be put to good use again and again …