How many times have you had Spaghetti Bolognese, minced garlic or pesto in your life? Each of these guys are available in a jar, which should be viewed as an added value to your initial purchase. For example, when you purchase your spaghetti sauce, it also comes with a tupperware container, smoothie cup, vase, pantry organiser and water bottle all in one!
Developing a Circular Mindset
In this blog we'll talk about how you can move from a linear or recycling mindset to a circular mindset. In a circular economy you're thinking of how you'll lengthen your products lifecycle before you've even purchased it. Even your jar of minced garlic, you see, once you have a jar, what's stopping you from making your own minced garlic & storing it in there once you've used the first batch?
Image Source: @the_plasticfree_people
We touch on developing this mindset in our blog 'Beginners guide to reducing waste'.
" When you buy something, you are responsible for its entire life cycle.
It takes 5 seconds to follow this purchasing strategy that will save you time, money & unnecessary clutter. Before you buy something, ask the following question:
How will I dispose of this when I’m finished with it?
Now answer it in the next five seconds:
- Can I reuse it?
- Can I compost it?
- Can I recycle it?
- Is it difficult to recycle?
- Will it most likely end up in landfill?
If you answered yes to 4 or 5 place it back on the shelf and repeat after us:
‘If I stop buying crap,
companies will stop making crap’ "
Why are jars treated like gold in a zero wasters eyes?
They are durable, cheap, leakproof, easily recycled, versatile & did we mention cheap? Plus they won't leach nasty toxins onto your food & drinks.
Prepping reused glass jars:
Firstly, you have to prep your old jars so they don't have that ugly half removed sticker and lingering smell.
How to remove the sticky labels & smells from jars:
- Remove as much of the label as possible
- Rub the area with a combination of bicarb soda & coconut oil to loosen the glue used on the labels
- Wash the jar & scrub well
- Use a 50/50 soak of vinegar & water overnight to remove lingering smells!
Now you're good to go!
Our top ways to reuse glass jars:
- Plants
- Cleaning recipes
- Storing food/ lunchbox
- Tupperware to store soups
- Water bottle
- Smoothie cup
- Gifts (jar of chocolates)
- Cocktail glass
- Candle/ lantern
- Toothbrush/ makeup brush holder
- Tool holder
- Money box
- Terranium
- Pencil holder
- Vase
