10 Unique Ways to Recycle and Reuse Glass Jars

Everyone knows that glass jars can be recycled with the rest of your regular recyclables, but did you know that there are lots of amazing household uses for glass jars? Glass jars can save you money, cut down on some bills, and may even make wonderful gifts for Christmas and birthdays. Try a few of these ideas for reusing and recycling your glass jars.

Utility Storage

Glass jars of all types and sizes make great receptacles for storing utility items as well as hardware. You can use them to store screws and nails in your garage. If you have an office or work on computers, they can be used to hold small parts. These little utility racks are also great for sewing and craft rooms. Use them to organize buttons, spools of thread, ribbon, and extra pieces of things that you do not want to lose.

To create a utility storage rack that can be easily accessed, you will need a shelf and a long wooden board. Use a hammer to nail the lids upside down to your long board. Nail the board securely to the underside of your utility shelf. The jars can be filled with nuts, bolts, screws, nails, and other parts and then screwed back onto their lids so that they hang down from the underside of your utility shelf.

Food Canning

Food canning is a wonderful way to reuse your old jars and save money. Instead of buying brand new jars to can your food, use jars that you have washed and sanitized. You can make your own recipes in bulk and can them using different canning recipes. Easy foods to can include salsa, tomato sauces, soups, fruits, and vegetables. This is an especially great idea if you are a gardener. Canned food can be saved and used or given away as gifts.

Bath Salts Gifts

Old jars are great for packaging homemade bath salts. You can use them to package other gifts as well such as premixed cookie and cake recipes, bath oils, and hand scrubs. To hide the brand label on the jar lids, cover them with a square of cloth that has been securely glued down. Once the lid is fitted onto the jar, tie the cloth down around the neck of the jar with a piece of ribbon.

Toilet Dam

Reusing glass jars in your toilet can save you money and help the environment. Jars can be used as toilet dams to save water. A toilet dam is a container that is filled with water and placed into the toilet tank. This takes up space in the toilet tank and the size of the toilet dam is the amount of water that you save each time you flush the toilet. Use the largest jar possible to get the most out of your new water saving device. You could save thousands of gallons of water each year by using a toilet dam in your toilets.

To Go Cup

Glass jars make great "to go" cups. When you are in a hurry to get somewhere, you don't have to run out of the house without bringing a drink with you. Just pour your drink into the jar and screw the lid on. You'll be able to hold it in the car or transport it with you just about anywhere without spilling it.

Food Storage

Glass jars make great containers for storing leftover foods. I keep stews, casseroles, rice, beans, and vegetables in mine. You don't need to spend a lot of money buying expensive plastic food storage containers. Glass jars are also safer for heating in the microwave than plastic storage dishes which can leach chemicals into your food.

Jar Candles

Jars make great receptacles for candles. This is also a great way to recycle your old candle wax into something new and useful. Buy some craft wick or make your own by braiding three pieces of 100% cotton string. Use a double boiler to melt your wax remnants and pour them into the jar around the candle wick. You will probably need to use a fork to push the candle wick straight down toward the bottom of the jar. Hold the wick in place while it cools by placing a pencil across the top of the jar and laying the end of the wick over the middle of the pencil.

Paintbrush Cleaner

Save your old pieces of soap and keep them in an old glass jar with just a little water in the bottom. After finishing with your paintbrushes, clean them by swishing them around in the thick soap at the bottom of the jar, then rinse with fresh water several times. This only works with acrylic and other water-based paints. This is a great trick that my grandmother, who is an artist, taught me.

Party Lights

Old jars make great party lights. Use thick craft wire or floral wire wrapped tightly around the neck of your jar to create a loop with which to hang it. Fill your jar halfway with sand and place a taper candle inside. Be very careful not to hang your candle from something that is flammable.

Change Jar

One of the best uses for an old jar is to use it as a change jar. Keep a jar on your end table, in your closet, or near any place that you usually get undressed at the end of the day. Empty the change from your pockets and your purse into the jar each day. At the end of the month, you can cash in your change jar and use the money to buy yourself something special