Is It Safe To Reuse Glass Jars: Ideas to reuse safely

Nowadays, we hear the words sustainability, environmentally friendly, recyclable, and reuse almost everywhere. But what do these words mean to be? Why is the necessity of these words now? Well, Before thousands of years ago, Our earth is one of the finest places to live, but now 

our mother earth faces various climatic changes, global warming, and rising sea levels. These impact the environment and the ecology in diverse ways. Hence, to sustain sustainability, Reuse is one of the best spotlights. Reusing materials not only protects the environment but also gives us immense pleasure. In this blog, we’ll see reusing reusable glass jars, whether it is safe to reuse, pros and cons, and so on.

Glass is made up of naturally occurring materials. They are well known for their transparency, high tensile strength, and longevity. But most of us use these glass jars or containers for single-purpose, or sometimes we don’t use them due to their heaviness. Have you ever thought about reusing glass jars or containers until they break? Or do you know how they can be reused? Well, this blog will clarify and provides more about reusing glass jars or containers. Scroll down for more information.

Can we reuse glass jars?

Glass is an amorphous and non-porous material made of bio-available products such as sand, soda ash, and lime. Due to their porosity, they can be widely reused or recycled because a non-porous material will never get stained or residue with the previously used product. Apart from this, some glasses are made of minerals that need to be mined. Hence, disturbing these resources frequently will result in a lack of sustainability. Thus, it is suggested to reuse glass jars to sustain the environment.

We can’t achieve zero waste without reuse.

Is it safe to reuse glass jars?

Most of us are always concerned about whether reusing glass jars is safe. 

• Health: Health is most important than wealth in today’s world. The pandemic has shown the essence of everyone’s health. Glasses are natural products made of sand, lime, and soda ash. Hence, they don’t contain harmful chemicals leached to our health. 

• Eco-friendly: Not only are they safer for us, but it is also safer to reuse glass jars to reduce global warming, pollution, and climatic changes.

• Recycle: Apart from this, glasses are 100% recycled without any quality deterioration. Though they require high heat and cost to shape, we can use them numerous times until they break. Thus, it is safer to reuse glass jars.

Why is it safe to reuse glass jars?

According to the PET reports, every single tonne of reused glass jars can reduce one-tonne emission of carbon dioxide and deploy the usage of one tonne of raw materials. In addition, reusing glass jars or containers may reduce the by-product or waste when recycled. Hence, reusing glass jars or containers is a closed-loop system because it benefits our health and strives for a better ecological balance.

Types of reusable-Jars

Various types of glass jars are available in diverse colors and shapes. Dark, light, and colorless glasses are available in the market. Most of the time, you can reuse all types of glasses. However, reusing glass jars with tensile strength and durability is always recommended. You can reuse silicate glass jars, borosilicate glass containers, soda-lime glasses, fiberglass, and amorphous glasses.

Ways to reuse glass jars

Glass jars have high durability, corrosion-resistant, and longevity which are very suitable for reusing. Nowadays, most glasses are nontoxic, have zero chemical interaction, and are available with an FDA certificate, which is safer to reuse and recycle. To create a zero-waste environment, these ways are going to help you. Keep on reading to know more.

Bulk goods

It is easy to buy bulk goods, but it is challenging to store them. Usually, people prefer to keep bulk groceries or items in a plastic container to use them for a more extended period. But storing bulk goods in plastic may result in health issues. According to the World Health Organisation survive, people who eat foods stored in plastic consume bits and pieces of plastic particles without their knowledge.

Hence, keeping the bulk stuff in glass jars, containers or vessels is highly recommended to avoid this. If you prefer to store a larger quantity of food, then it is worth buying glass jars that are temperature resistant and of high durability.

Fermented foods

Fermentation is a process that takes a longer duration. Whenever you look into the kitchen for an object to initiate the fermentation, glass jars are one of the best utensils. If food is fermented in a plastic container, the chemicals in the plastic and the bacteria yeast responsible for fermentation may react together. Hence, to avoid such discomfort, you can reuse glass jars and containers to make fermenting veggies, salsa, sauerkraut, etc., which makes the process well.

Storage 

Storing spices, foods, and other edibles in a plastic container may create health issues such as increased PCOD/PCOS, cancer, and digestion ailments. You can reuse the glass jars or containers if you want to store spices, oil, honey, pulses, nuts, or coconuts. Note that you can’t keep them heavy and full, which may break when you open them.

DIY-cosmetics

Soon, the world switches to sustainability and realizes that chemicals are prohibited, and DIY cosmetics are the boon. So, with all the natural elements and essential ingredients you like, you can create, store and refill them whenever you need them. Even you can use them as soap and hand wash dispensers.

Plantation

If you’re a green lover or going to take you-tube vlogs about gardening, these glass jars help you a lot because glass jars or containers are transparent and porous, which gives you a view of the plant growth with immense pleasure. If storing food in small containers may be difficult, sow some seeds and start rewarding yourself by giving beautiful plants to you.

Candles and decorative items

Candles give and make our day delightful. Especially when it’s a festival or unique occasion candle plays a significant role. Each one of us loves the flickering flame of candles that makes us feel relaxed. You can reuse candles using beeswax. Eventually, follow the steps. 

• Heat the wax
• Add some essential oils 
• Pour it into the glass jars or containers

Freezer

Cooking always remains with leftovers in the home, restaurant, or on occasion. But what to do with these leftovers, because you can’t waste food. Food is the essential element of all living organisms. Whether the leftover is chili or chicken broth, you can reuse the glass jars to freeze them. Even, you can contribute to a zero-waste home and sustain sustainability. Usually, glass jars with twisted caps are suitable for freezing jams, fruits, honey, and vegetables. 

How do clean glass jars for Reuse?

You can follow some essential steps to clean the glass jars for Reuse.

• Step 1: Empty the jars or containers you’re going to reuse.

• Step 2: Take a tub or bucket and fill them with warm water. (don’t use hot water, because sometimes high tensed hot water can break the glass).

• Step 3: Add baking soda, lime juice, or vinegar to the warm water.

• Step 4: Drop all the jars and containers one by one without any damage and leave them for 1 hour.

• Step 5: Now wash them using soap or solution.

• Step 6: If you find an open space or terrace, you can place all the glass jars and dry them using sunlight, which kills all the microorganisms. If you’re living in a closed environment, no worries; you can dry the containers for 1-2 hours at room temperature.

When can it be unsafe to reuse glass jars?

Glasses are meant to be reused, but make sure you use glass jars or clean and shaped containers. Don’t use glass jars with cracks, holes, or loose lids. Because sometimes, these cracks may have pieces of glass that can be consumed without our knowledge. In addition, don’t use containers having loose caps because when you take them in a hurry, there are chances they may break.

Why are glass jars better than plastic?

Glass jars or containers are more sustainable than plastic. The foremost reason is that most glass containers are BPA-free and FDA-approved. Also, they can be 100% recycled and reused without any health issues.

Can you reuse glass jars from the store?

Yes, you can reuse glass jars from the store. But ensure you buy glass jars with high durability and temperature resistance. In addition, it is suggested buy jars which the local government has approved.

Advantages and disadvantages of reusing a glass jar?

There are many pros and cons to reusing glass jars. 

• Pros: Reusing glass jars may reduce usage of fossil fuels and carbon footprint emissions, decrease water pollution, reduce the usage of non-renewable raw materials, lower the production of solid waste, and emission of volatile organic compounds.

• Cons: They are fragile, expensive, and create unemployment. Broken glasses thrown in the garbage or trash can be eaten by animals, which is dangerous to them.

How to reuse the glass jars at home?

You may reuse glass jars or containers for various purposes at home. Such as, you can reuse pasta jars as sewing thread holders, pizza sauce jars as oil dispensers or soap dispensers, nut butter jars as beads and button holders, and Pickle jars as a terrarium.

Conclusion

Reusing glass may not only contribute to the circular economy but also produce zero-waste homes and are eco-friendly. Many countries such as Itlay, America, and Russia have already started to reuse glasses. In addition, if the government supports and initiates various glass collecting stations to collect glasses that can reuse for several other purposes.

The manufacturing units and industries can also set up Reuse or recycling technologies for their glass jars or containers that may reduce solid waste. Apart from these, as individuals, we should also be responsible for creating a zero-waste environment by reusing them.