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 My bottle and jar collection is taking over my house and I have to do something about it.  Repurposing  bottles and jars is one of my favorite projects and I want to do more of it. Fortunately or unfortunately, my suply just seems to grow faster than I can use it.  I can’t say no to something that has potential for a really great future project so I add it to the pile. Sometimes I find a funky jar that just begs to become something cool, even if I don't know that thing is yet.

I  also buy things in glass containers as much as possible for several reasons:  they come in cool and interesting shapes, they are reusable and glass doesn’t leach nasty chemicals into my food. It really  makes sense on an environmental level.  Unlike plastic, glass is a cradle to cradle material. It can be recycled and remade into the same thing over and over again without losing clarity or quality – greatly reducing the need for raw materials; unless you live here.  I recently discovered that all the glass collected for recycling in my county is simply crushed up and used for landfill cover.  Landfill cover is a necessity so technically that’s recycling - though I would call it down-cycling.  I also call it heartbreaking.

It seems like such a waste.  I just can’t seem to doom any of my glass to the landfill.  I know, that sounds like the beginning of a Hoarders episode.   Don’t worry; I have it all under control. I have a plan.

Step 1 – hire a professional organizer to devise a system for the flow of glass in the art studio
Step 2 – Spend a weekend putting those bottles and jars to good use – I can always steal them back for arts and crafts as needed..
Step 3 – Help Beltrami County figure out a better glass recycling system.

Step # 1 is underway. I'll be posting future bolgs on that adventure. She is fantastic by the way!  She completely understands my dilema but it is her job to turn the mess into a workable system so I know I am going to have to let some of them go.   
 Step #3 is a big undertaking that starts with spreading the word about the issue - so that’s underway too.   (pst! spread the word)

That brings us to Labor Day Weekend and Step# 2.. I already reuse jars and bottles for a few things but I decided to really kick it up a notch. I needed to organize and de-clutter anyway so why not put my glass stash to good use?

I have a horde of Blue canning jars with glass lids. I use some in the bathroom for cotton balls, soaps and what not. I added more there and used some in the bedroom for décor. 

In the laundry room /walk-in junk drawer – I sorted  things like batteries, sewing supplies, nails and those odds and ends you just know you’ll need some day.  Wherever practical I put like things in glass jars and stacked them on a shelf. Jars worked great for laundry supplies as well.  In the kitchen pantry I transferred the contents of half bags and boxes into jars to save space and preserve freshness.  The jumbo oil and vinegar that won’t fit anywhere went into smaller bottles.  

For years I have used glass jars in place of Tupperware so I added more there too. They are great for leftovers – you can microwave right in the jar and can use a sharpie to label them. It washes right off

Jeff Foxworthy might call me a “redneck” but I even put a few in the cupboard for drinking glasses.

I made soap dispensers from cool bottles, displayed photos in jars and added a colored bottles anywhere I needed an unexpected pop or grouping of color.

Mission accomplished! I saved space, reused a lot of bottles and jars and everything looks great!  The shinny glass surfaces make even my collection of rubber bands look pretty.

I have more bottles and jars to use up before the organizer comes back.  I would love to hear your ideas.  Thanks for checking in!

green janie