One of the best ways for individuals to have a beneficial impact on the environment is to work towards a zero-waste home. There are so many easy changes to reduce the amount of plastic you use. You can use a reusable water bottle and fill it up from your sink or a filtered pitcher and bring a reusable cup when you get coffee from your favorite coffee shop. Bringing your own bags to the grocery store is so simple but makes a huge impact. Another easy idea is to keep a set of reusable eating utensils and reusable straws in your bag or car.
A great way to reduce your impact on the environment and update some of your décor and storage options is to use glass jars. There are so many great options for glass storage jars out there, especially as they have been rising in popularity in the last couple years. Below are some simple and useful ideas for how to use those glass jars.
6 Easy Glass Jar Ideas
- Reuse Glass Jars – So many of our grocery store bought food already comes in glass jars. Instead of purchasing new glass jars you can clean out the glass jars you already have and use them again. Do you have some old candles laying around that are too used up to work anymore? Melt down the remaining wax and clean out the jar to use again! You can use coconut oil to remove the sticky glue and labels before repurposing your jars.
- DIY Candles – Now that you have all these fresh empty candle jars you can make your own candles! Just use some new soy wax and your favorite essential oils. Making your own candles with essential oils has the added bonus that you know you aren’t breathing in any toxic additives.
- Bulk Grocery Shopping – Are you lucky enough to live close to a bulk grocery store? Bring those jars with you to fill up with your favorite cooking staples and snacks. Even if you don’t have a bulk grocery store close by, most grocery stores have a bulk section where you can buy staples like rice, beans, and grains. Filling the jars directly at the store is a double bonus: you aren’t using harmful one-time use plastic bags, and they are ready to be stored in your pantry immediately. No need to re-package when you get home!
- Pack a Lunch – Glass jars are perfect for packing a delicious layered salad. You can also bring soups and leftovers in glass jars, just be sure to check to make sure the jars are microwaveable safe before reheating.
- Gift Packaging – DIY gift baskets are thoughtful and super fun to put together. Put your old jars to use by putting gifts inside. Glass jars are also great for gifting baking mixes. Tie some ribbon around the lid with a cute gift tag and you’re good to go.
- Storing Fresh Flowers – Shatto (or any) milk jars make perfect vases for fresh flowers. They have an adorable farmhouse aesthetic, and it is easy to see when you need to refill the water.
We can all do a little something each day to reduce our impact on the environment. Reusing glass jars and replacing plastic items with glass is one of the easiest ways to start your no-plastic journey. Have more ideas? We would love to hear them!
Coach Carly
Pinnacle Gymnastics
Recreational Program Director
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