From Trash to Treasure - Creative Ways to Repurpose
Glass Bottles and Jars
Did you know Americans throw away over 11 million tons of glass bottles and jars each year, even though they’re 100% recyclable? Glass has an unlimited life and can be melted and reused endlessly Instead of just sending your empty bottles and jars off to be recycled, try repurposing them in the comfort of your own home. Keep reading to learn how to reuse glass bottles and jars of all shapes and sizes in resourceful, fun ways
Why Recycle Glass?
Let's face it, tossing perfectly good glass bottles and jars into the recycling bin feels a little well... tame. Recycling is great, don't get me wrong, but there's a whole world of creative possibilities waiting to be explored! Reusing glass is a fantastic way to:
● Reduce waste – Glass takes millions of years to decompose in landfills By reusing glass, you're diverting it from landfills and giving it a new lease on life.
● Save money – Why buy new containers when you can repurpose the ones you already have? Upcycled glass bottles and jars can be used for storage, organization, or even as beautiful decorative pieces.
● Embrace sustainability – Reusing glass reduces the need for new materials to be produced, which in turn helps to conserve resources and reduce our carbon footprint.
But Wait, There's More!
The environmental benefits are just the tip of the iceberg Reusing glass bottles and jars is also a ton of fun! It's a chance to tap into your creativity and transform something ordinary into something extraordinary. Imagine the satisfaction of using a chic, upcycled soap dispenser in your bathroom, or a terrarium teeming with life on your windowsill all created from something you were about to throw away!
Ready to Get Crafty?
The internet is overflowing with inspiring ideas for reusing glass bottles and jars Here are just a few to get your creative juices flowing:
Functional Favorites
1 DIY Liquid Soap Dispenser: Simply purchase a pump - or save one from a plastic container - and you can create a unique soap dispenser using any type of bottle the pump will fit This DIY dispenser would make a heartfelt gift for anyone’s birthday or housewarming party
2. Glass Spray Bottle: Empty glass bottles are a great option for storing cleaning products Just transfer the spray nozzle from an old plastic bottle to a glass one Spray bottles are handy for multiple household chores, but plastic can leech harmful chemicals into whatever it holds. Luckily, glass bottles of vinegar, juice, soda, and other beverages with twist-off lids typically fit the average spray nozzle
Light Up Your Life
3 Upcycled Lamp: Head to your local hardware store for a glass/tile drill bit and a lamp holder, purchase a lampshade and you’ll be ready to light up your home the DIY way. This project is best suited for those with some past DIY experience and the toolkit to match
4. Wine Bottle Tiki Torch: If you aren’t feeling confident enough for the project above, go old-school with this simple idea for reusing a bottle as an oil lamp Purchase wicks, oil, and colored glass gems from a craft store Then, just fill the bottle, assemble the wick and light!
Get Terr-ific
5. DIY Terrarium: Create a terrarium, a miniature world teeming with plant life, inside a recycled jar Fill an empty glass jar with a 2-inch layer of pebbles, enough activated charcoal to cover them, and some potting soil And voila! Your own DIY terrarium is ready to be filled with miniature succulents or cacti to bring a little bit of nature into your home
6
Self-Watering Herb Garden: Do you love using fresh herbs in the kitchen, but don’t have the space or skills to grow your own in a backyard garden? One way to reuse glass bottles is to turn them into planters that water themselves Cut your bottles in half using one of these methods. Then, all you need is a small piece of screen and a thick string to start an effortless windowsill herb garden.
Festive Flair
7. Homemade Holiday Decorations: With some paint, Epsom salts, and Mod Podge, you can reuse glass bottles of any size to create one-of-a-kind holiday décor Fill them with fresh pine branches, glittery craft plants, candles, or anything else your own creativity suggests
8 Outdoor Bottle Tree: A very creative way to reuse glass bottles is to build an outdoor bottle tree for your garden. You can use any variety of bottles you have on hand for this project Simply slip them over the limbs of a tree or wooden frame to brighten up your garden Blue is traditional for bottle trees, but many people today use a variety of colors
Storage Solutions
9 Chalkboard Storage Canisters: Everyone wants their home to be organized and belongings properly labeled. One simple way to reuse glass bottles is to create fun chalkboard storage, serving a practical purpose while creating something nice enough to put on display All you need is the bottle of your choice and some chalkboard paint
10.Space-Saving Spice Storage: Baby food jars and other small containers can be reused as storage for your spices If you buy spices in bulk, this will save tons of space in your cupboards If not, jars are still more stackable than typical plastic spice canisters Jars are also easier to fit your measuring spoons into!
Personal Touch
11. Personalized Pincushion: Grab a fabric scrap of your choice, some batting, and a hot glue gun, and you can recycle a glass jar as a mini sewing kit or button holder, topped with a one-of-a-kind pincushion You can even add custom printed bottle neckers for a personalized touch. This is a great gift idea for anyone who loves to sew.
12 Cute Candy Jars: With a can of silver spray paint and some wooden knobs, you can quickly transform ordinary jars into classic candy jars. Set them out on your counter to satisfy your own sweet tooth or make them the centerpiece of a candy table at a birthday party, wedding reception, or other celebration Enhance the jars with custom printed bottle neckers for an extra special detail.
13.
Reflective Thoughts
So next time you reach for that recycling bin, take a second look at those glass bottles and jars With a little creativity, they can be transformed into something beautiful, functional, and uniquely you So go forth, reuse, and unleash your inner artist! Share your creations online and inspire others to join the glass-reusing revolution.
Citations
1. Budget Dumpster. "Reusing Glass Bottles and Jars." https://wwwbudgetdumpstercom/blog/reusing-glass-bottles-and-jars
2 Brown, Amanda The Art of Upcycling: Creative Ways to Repurpose Everyday Items New York: Greenleaf Publishing, 2020.