Yearly, the US produces round 268 million tons of waste. It generates extra waste than some other nation on the planet, however it’s not a title to be happy with. Most waste goes to landfill or will get incinerated, each of that are extremely pollutive and environmentally damaging waste administration options.
Some states are attempting to make progress on the difficulty. In California, for instance, Gov. Gavin Newsom just lately signed off on adjustments to a bottle recycling regulation, which goals to scale back the quantity of plastic and glass headed to landfills.
The problem of waste administration depends on authorized and company intervention. However, that stated, there are small issues that people can do to scale back waste at residence. Upcycling, for instance, is a enjoyable and simple technique to preserve some gadgets from ending up within the trash for longer. And when you’re trying to get in on making essentially the most out of easy gadgets, we propose beginning with empty jars.
Why we have to cease throwing away empty jars
Glass jars and bottles are simple to recycle, however provided that the infrastructure to recycle them is in place. In keeping with one report launched in 2023, glass in Massachusetts and different northeastern states is utilized in landfills and building initiatives. That is largely as a result of they depend on single-stream recycling techniques, the place the glass is combined in with different recyclables so it turns into soiled and is not appropriate for recycling.
This downside has been rumbling on for years. In 2019, an article in Chemical & Engineering Information, titled “Why glass recycling within the US is damaged,” reported that whereas People eliminate 10 million metric tons of glass yearly, solely round one-third of that truly will get recycled.
Upcycling an empty glass jar right into a pencil holder isn’t going to repair this downside, however it can lower down on the quantity of glass waste your family produces. And it’ll make you’re feeling good, too, particularly when you make the method enjoyable and inventive. So, if you wish to repurpose your empty jars (and you must!), listed below are seven methods to get began.
7 methods to repurpose these empty glass jars
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1 Use them as additional kitchen containers
With air-tight seals, jars preserve meals gadgets contemporary, making them ultimate for pantry staples. Bigger jars can turn out to be a brand new residence for dried macaroni, for instance, or you’ll be able to fill them up with cocoa, rice, or quinoa (additional factors when you head to a plastic-free retailer to high them up!). You may additionally flip them right into a deal with jar, and fill them up along with your favourite sweet, popcorn, or cookies (Kardashian type). You’ll be able to even design your individual labels, too, when you really feel like getting artful.
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2 Arrange your desk
You don’t have to make use of additional jars are kitchen storage in any respect. When you’ve cleaned them out, they make for excellent desk organizers and might turn out to be a brand new residence for pens, pencils, paper clips, mini post-it notes, and the rest you prefer to preserve available in your WFH workplace. Plus they’ll prevent cash on additional stationary pots and trays, too. If you happen to’re arty, you can too use them to retailer your paint provides, too.
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3 Pack salads into them
We love Tupperware, however when you’re go-to containers are in any other case engaged (for instance, maintaining all your leftovers contemporary within the fridge), an empty jar makes an important container for an on-the-go salad. Fill it like this: dressing first, adopted by your favourite salad greens, after which components like rice and vegan cheese. While you get to the workplace, or wherever you’re having lunch, seize a bowl and tip the jar the other way up. That’s it! Your yummy lunch awaits.
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4 Make your individual jams or chutneys
If you happen to like to get artistic within the kitchen, preserve your previous empty jars available to retailer issues like home made jams and chutneys (we love this recipe for Vegan Bourbon Bacon Jam, for instance!). They double as nice vacation or birthday presents for family and friends, particularly when you spend a while making cute label designs.
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5 Get pickling
Pickling is simple to do at residence, particularly when you have got loads of empty jars helpful. Merely fill them up along with your favourite greens, something from traditional cucumbers to carrots or beets, earlier than including brine, spices, and herbs, after which depart them to ferment for a number of weeks. The result’s a gut-healthy, deliciously tangy ingredient to cook dinner with. For extra on the advantages of fermented meals and pickling, discover our information right here.
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6 Construct a terrarium
Terrariums are an important, low-maintenance technique to convey somewhat little bit of nature into your private home, and so they’re simple to make, too, particularly when you’ve got a big empty jar available. It’s necessary to start out with a layer of small rocks for drainage, earlier than including layers of activated charcoal and potting soil. After that, add in small vegetation, like succulents and moss, and organize them within the soil, earlier than sealing it shut with the lid. Congratulations, you’ve created a mini ecosystem! For extra on create and preserve a terrarium in an empty jar, observe this information from Kew Gardens.
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7 Upcycle them into cocktail glasses
A unusual, enjoyable technique to upcycle previous empty jars is to make use of them as cocktail glasses. They’re enjoyable to sip from, however as a result of they arrive with a lid, in addition they double up as shakers, too. Merely pour in all your components, scoop in some ice, screw on the lid, and have enjoyable shaking it round. Subsequent, take away the lid, pop in a straw, and also you’re able to go. Discover a few of our favourite vegan cocktail and mocktail recipes right here!
For extra on recycling, learn:
Charlotte is a author and editor based mostly in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
