9 Fun Ways to Reuse and Upcycle Glass Spice Jars

A kitchen cabinet full of herbs and spices is a must and a joy for anyone who loves cooking. You might have a garden full of fresh herbs that you can harvest from, or perhaps have the luxury of being able to buy your spices in bulk. If it’s neither of those things, then you likely buy your herbs and spices in those tiny little jars from the supermarket.

Granted, of late, supermarkets stock spices in cute, little vintage-looking glass jars with metal lids. They look much more stylish on your shelves than the traditional plastic ones and inspire an urge to save and reuse them. That said, if you love cooking and are not in a position to sustainably refill them yourself, those little jars soon pile up.

Sure, you can toss them in the recycling, but we know by now that recycling isn’t the be-all and end-all of saving the planet solutions. If only there was a way to rescue your spice jars. Well, there is. There are dozens.

Clean those little jars, peel the labels off, and get reusing and upcycling.

1. Refill Them with Herbs and Spices

Okay, well, this one just seems obvious, but it needs to be said. Have a look in your area to see if anywhere sells bulk food. Sometimes health food shops will sell at least herbs and spices in bulk, if not other food goods. If you have access to this you can buy your herbs and spices in bulk and refill the jars accordingly. They are often much more affordable to buy this way.

2. Toothpick Holder

Fill one of your jars with toothpicks. They are the perfect size. You can even leave the ‘sprinkler’ lid on and shake out a single toothpick as needed.

3. Refill Them with Homemade Spice and Herb Blends

So, you are filling them with spices again, but this time you have come up with your own spice blend. There are lots of recipes out there for blends that are perfect for different dishes or cuisines. Mix up your own garam masala for curry nights, cajun spice for vegan jambalaya, or pumpkin spice for all of those fall lattes and pies!

4. Seed Saving

Source: Growing In The Garden/YouTube

These jars are ideal for gardeners who are into seed saving. Make sure that your jar is clean and very dry. Store your harvested seeds in these jars, and be sure to label them carefully. Depending on how large the seeds are and how they like to be sown, you can even leave the plastic sprinkler lid on and use it to help disperse the seeds come sowing time.

5. Transport Camping Provisions

Fill your little spice jars with salt, sugar, coffee, cooking oil, washing-up soap, laundry detergent, or anything else that would be better carried as a much smaller version. This is great for short camping trips or picnics where having a jar that seals is a great deterrent for creepy crawlies or spillages.

6. Small Snack Packs

Glass spice jars might be just the perfect size for carrying your afternoon snack. Fill a jar with nuts, seeds, or even some dried fruit and pop it into your bag. It is a great alternative to plastic food containers and is a good size to be hauling around, especially as glass food containers can weigh a bit more than their plastic counterparts.

7. Fill One with Flour

Use an old spice jar with the sprinkler lid still on to make your own flour dredger. Anyone who makes bread or pies knows that a good dusting of flour on your board is key. Use a spice jar filled with flour to give your counter a good covering before kneading that bread or rolling that dough. Equally, you could fill it with powdered sugar if you are making sweet treats.

8. Organize Craft or Tool Cupboards

These jars are a great size for organizing craft beads, buttons, or even small spools of ribbon. You can use them to hold paintbrushes and pencils and even fill one with water to wash brushes if you are having a painting session. Fill them with drawing pins, paperclips, or staples. As well they are a good size for holding nails, screws, nuts and bolts, and any other small DIY paraphernalia that so often ends up in a jumbled mess at the bottom of a drawer.

9. Grow a Windowsill Garden

Source: CaliKim29 Garden & Home DIY/YouTube

Lots of plants, including many herbs, can be grown from cuttings that root in a jar of water. Spice jars are the perfect size for lining up on a sunny windowsill and filling them with future herb plants. You can also root kitchen scraps such as spring onions or leeks in these jars, too.

 Solution Not Pollution Tee by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

Related Content:

• How to Fight Big Ag and Start Your Own Seed Bank
• 6 Quick and Original Gift Ideas From Upcycled Jars
• 18 Ways You Can Use A Mason Jar to Eliminate Unnecessary Plastic In Your Life
• 9 Cool DIY Crafts & Uses for Mason Jar Lids

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