Before you ditch that empty container, check out this dozen creative ways to reuse bottles, jars and cans and turn them into practical and beautiful items!
We have all heard the phrase “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. When it comes to priorities of which of the three is best for the environment AND best for our wallet, the order of the phrase is correct.
Reducing is the #1 option, reusing comes second, and as a last choice we should recycle items. While recycling is AWESOME, it does take energy and resources to recycle the items – which makes reusing a better option.
With that said, I love to find creative ways to reuse bottles, jars and cans – things that would otherwise wind up in the recycling bin. Some of the most useful things are cans, jars and bottles.
While classic Mason jars are the easiest to reuse, other jars you bring home from the grocery store can be put to good use after you have used up their original contents.
One of my favorite ways to use old jars is for packaging homemade beauty/personal products like sugar scrubs. (Check out my recipes for lemon sugar scrub or coffee sugar scrub.)
That is just ONE way to reuse jars. There thousands more!! To get you started, here are a few great ideas.
Creative Ways to Reuse Bottles, Jars and Cans
Recycled Can and Mason Jar Vases – DIY Inspired
No More Bored Jar – The Realistic Mama
Disney’s Frozen Craft: Chill Out Bottle – LalyMom
Gold and Glittered Mason Jar Centerpiece – DIY Inspired
Garden in a Jar – See Vanessa Craft
Fireworks in a Jar – I Can Teach My Child!
Gifts Kids Can Make: Jar Lid Picture Frames – Red Ted Art’s Blog
Wood Grain Mason Jar Candle – See Vanessa Craft
Starry Night Light from Recycled Jars – Powerful Mothering
DIY Mason Jar Craft – Katie’s Crochet Goodies
Mason Jar Toothbrush Holder – Fireflies and Mud Pies
What creative ways do YOU reuse Bottles, Jars and Cans?
JeannieD says
I have so many jars that I just save for ideas like this – – I really would rather use glass than the plastics and reusing these jars is so much nicer. The kids will enjoy the crafting.
Marisela Zuniga says
These are some great ideas, I like the toothbrush holder idea
Donna says
These are really creative ideas! I love the toothbrush holder and the starry night light!
Kieran G Ruder says
I finally found uses for those mason jars under the sink!
Vickie L Couturier says
im always looking for fun crafts to make with the grandkids,,love this
Daniel says
What an innovative way to reduce, reuse and recycle! If only everyone could be so thoughtful we wouldn’t be in the current situation we’re in with so much waste!
Lula Ruger says
So creative ! I love the gardening one
John Smith says
With tins, you can carefully decorate them with fancy Italian marbled papers, or similar, and end up not with a tin can but an elegant desk accessory!
Antoinette M says
Great craft ideas. I like the Starry Night Light!
Mary Beth Elderton says
I love the toothbrush holder! This would be a great way to hold makeup brushes, too…or desktop items like pens.
Jerry Marquardt says
I love your ideas on how to use and re-use jars and cans. I like to help out the environment in a decorative way.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
The most creative thing I’ve seen jars reused for is to organize small hardware like nuts and bolts. The person created a way to hang the jars by the necks and you could easily sort and find the items.