Mason jars are a great way to replace all the single-use plastic invading your house. They’re versatile and readily available. They’re also nonporous and impermeable, allowing what’s inside to keep it’s aroma and flavour — without any packaging aftertaste. Ever.
Whether they’re small, medium, or large, regular or wide mouthed, when it comes to using Mason jars, there’s always a size that’s just right for storing food and non-food items. And since they can be adapted with all sorts of interchangeable lids (like pumps, sipping cups, and snack packs), their functionality is endless — and even incredibly creative.
So stop slinging those empty glass jars into the recycle bin (or trash can, EEK!). Here are some of our favourite ways to eliminate waste and reuse glass jars at home …
10 wonderful ways to repurpose Mason jars at home
1 Store snacks & single-serve meals
Skip the plastic wrap and single-use sandwich bags for all your cookies, veggie sticks, and crackers. You can also skip the plastic containers and use Mason jars for single-servings of leafy and pasta salads and things like yogurt and granola parfaits.
2 Store leftovers
Mason jars are a great way to store leftovers in the fridge and freezer. Not only can you easily see what’s inside, but they won’t leach chemicals into your food and are less expensive than plastic containers — especially if you’re reusing jars from previously purchased items (like pasta sauce, jam, honey, and salsa).
Find tips on freezing food in Mason jars here.
3 Store canned goods
Definitely nothing new, since canning’s been around since the 1800’s. Given that it remains a healthy, economical, eco-friendly, and sentimental (connects us to our culture and heritage) way to preserve food, it’s still going strong today. Just be sure to have the proper lids and choose your canning method accordingly.
4 Organize spices
Avoid a cluttered cabinet, drawer or open shelf by storing your spices in clearly marked glass jars that seal solidly. You’ll never hunt for another spice again!
5 Store dry goods
This is great whether you buy in bulk or end up with three near-empty packages of the same item like coconut sugar, lentils, oats, pasta, rice ….
6 Store beauty & cleaning products
Organize, store, and dispense household beauty and cleaning products like reusable makeup remover pads, cotton swabs, laundry soap, hand soap (hello, pump lid!), and hair products (from scrunchies and bobby-pins to shampoo and conditioner).
7 Take drinks to-go
Mason jars are great for transporting water, smoothies, and cold brew.
8 Grow some herbs
Start an indoor herb garden in the brightest spot in your kitchen. Herbs best suited for jars are: cilantro, rosemary, dill, mint, chives, and thyme.
Deep rooted veggies won’t work, but you can also grab your favourite lettuce seeds and plant yourself some leafy windowsill edibles.
Skip the herbs altogether and create a Mason jar succulent planter to give as a gift (or keep all to yourself).
9 Feed the birds
You can buy a special attachment that screws onto the neck of the jar or DIY yourself a Mason Jar bird feeder using only four supplies.
Either way, hang your new feeder from a tree or plant hook and enjoy watching all your feathered friends flock to your yard.
10 Get crafty
Whether you need jars for flowers, candle holders, extra glasses for brunch, or something to gift your neighbour cookies in, get Googling! The creative options are endless when it comes to using Mason jars around the house.
Photo credit: Gareth Hubbard via Unsplash