Things you can do with glass jars!

Updated: Apr 9, 2021

If you have old glass jars, don't throw them away - they are one of the most useful things on the planet! Here are some innovative ways to reuse them! :)

Food storage containers - There are WAY too many ideas to post on here! They can store spices, preserves and honey, flours, seeds, mueslis... really, the opportunities are endless!
Eating bowls - Good for salads! Stouter and wider is best.
Cutlery holder - Stand your cutlery vertically in glass jars and you have a very space efficient solution!
Cake mixes in a jar - These are a good gift idea. You can find recipes online (including healthy ones I believe) or get experimenting!
Cooking pots - SOME glass jars MAY withstand this.
Drinking glasses - Just screw the lids off and you have free drinking glasses! Or you can use an old Passata jar as a water bottle?
Drinks dispenser - Put a large pickle jar on its side, cut into the lid and add some form of tap - you have a drinks dispenser! You could also have it upright and add the tap near the bottom but I think this would be a lot more fiddle-y.
Pet bowls - Glass jars make for very cute pet bowls and the extra depth means less spillage! You could also try tying them to the bars of the pen to save space and when necessary the lids can be screwed back on! If you try this though, make sure your pet can eat/drink properly out of it first. They can also be used as treat containers (Your dog approves!!!)
Temporary pet home - This idea should NOT be a permanent home for any animal! A large jar can be used as a carrier for a fish or hamster (make sure they can breathe etc!) or temporary home for insects if you have picked some up to observe (make sure they go back where you found them and that they can still breathe!).
Money jar - Cut a coin-sized slit in the lid of a jam jar, and you have a money jar! You could use it to collect donations for a charity, or to put pocket money in?
Candle holder - Fill with local beeswax and add a wick for a homemade, sustainable and gorgeous-smelling candle!
Potpourri - Fill with dried rose petals, cinnamon sticks, dried herb leaves, essential oils - anything organic and pleasant-smelling.
Doorstopper - Fill a large jar with something heavy and you have a doorstopper!
Vase - Add water and fill with (organically grown) cut flowers! You could also ditch the water and add dried flowers (you can dry your own flowers - it's easy!) for a much longer lasting effect!
For propagating cuttings - Put water in a jar with some plant trimmings - they might form roots and grow! I have successfully done this with mint.
Plant pot - Fill with homemade or peat-free organic (may have nasty contaminants?) compost, maybe some drainage in the bottom and you have a free pot for houseplants!
Terrarium - This is best for larger jars. You add some drainage in the bottom, (optional???) add some soil or homemade compost and activated charcoal (optional???), then put in small, humidity loving house plants, moss, stones, sticks or even animal toys to create a pretty scenery. Then screw the lid on. It should not need water as the plants will create their own condensation. If you wish, tie some burlap on the lid. You can also leave the lid off and put air plants or succulents inside (these will need watered but not much at all).
Solar oven - Once I work this one out I'll put more information on.
Arrowheads - Make some decorative upcycled arrowheads by breaking your jar up and shaping the fragments using a process known as knapping, usually done with flint. Do your research before getting into knapping, though, as it can be dangerous!