11 Clever Ways To Repurpose Old Peanut Butter Jars Around Your Home & Garden
Repurposing and reusing is beneficial for the environment and for your wallet. Instead of throwing an item away immediately after it has served its intended purpose, think creatively about what else it could be used for. This leads to fewer things in landfills and less spending on your part every time you need something new. There are many ways to repurpose old or unwanted items like old clothes and food packaging; peanut butter jars in particular offer a lot of possibilities.
Before you dive into these hacks, make sure you've cleaned the jar and lid thoroughly. Scrape out the remaining peanut butter, remove the label, and wash the inside and outside with hot, soapy water. Use a sponge or brush to scrub off any peanut butter or adhesive residue and let it dry. Now it's ready to be repurposed. Note that the hacks you can do might depend on whether you're using a glass or plastic jar.
1. Container for dry ingredients and snacks
One way to repurpose old peanut butter jars is to use them to store dry foods and ingredients like rice, quinoa, and oats. A line of jars in your pantry or shelf can create a cohesive and organized look, especially if you label them and spray paint the lids in matching colors. The jars also make a great to-go container for snacks like chips or dried fruit. Make sure the lid is secure and you can carry them with you in your bag or in the car so they're in reach whenever you want.
2. Indoor or outdoor plant or flower vase
For a plant, choose a type that does well in jars like a herb or pothos; pour in soil or water and the seed or cutting, and nurture. For flowers, cut up small, fresh flowers and use the jar like a vase to decorate a side table or desk. You can also make a mini terrarium. Cut out a circle on the side in the middle of the jar using a hot knife, flip the closed jar upside down, put in some soil and succulents, and add some water. This is a fun project to do with kids.
3. Hummingbird feeder
Start with a plastic jar, cut about a third of the jar off from the bottom and poke holes in the lid — two in the center and a few all around. Then put bread bag ties or a short wire through the center-most holes and twist in place to make a handle. Replace the lid on the cut-out bottom part and there's your feeder. Fill it with one part refined white sugar and four parts water, leave it outside, and you can help the hummingbirds at no cost to you.
4. A candle holder
This should be done with a glass jar because the candle heat burns through plastic. To make your DIY candle holder, glue a wick to the bottom of the jar, pour in your candle wax to the brim, and keep the wick in place as the wax hardens. Vegan soy wax is recommended because it is natural and non-toxic. We also recommend adding scents using something you already have at home — spices like cinnamon, pumpkin, ginger, or nutmeg. These can also be combined with essential oils to create more unique scents.
5. Plant starter
First, cut out the bottom of the jar, poke holes near the top of the jar for drainage, and fix the lid in place. This will make it easier to move the plant when the time comes, because then you can just take the lid off and the plant will slide out. Next, put in your seeds, water well, and then place the jar in a good spot. Care for the plant regularly and transplant it into a larger space when it's ready. You can also use an iced coffee takeout cup or a solo cup to start your seeds in much the same way.
6. Organizer for hobby materials and seeds
This is a really fun one. If you have hobbies like jewelry making, sewing, or knitting that require tiny materials, old peanut butter jars are great for keeping items like needles, threads, yarns, and thimbles all in one place. This also works with seeds for your home garden. A perk of the jar is that it is a good, portable size to store anywhere and move as needed. It is also transparent, so you always know what you have in there.
7. Outdoor mini lantern
Putting string lights or tea lights inside jars can help beautify your garden, patio, or any other outdoor space. All you need to do is decorate the jars however you want and then spread them so that they light up the space in the dark. You can paint the outside of the jar or apply glitter to make it shiny. You can leave the lights on the floor or tie strings on them and hang them up. As is the case with a few of the other projects listed here, kids will have a blast making DIY mini lanterns.
8. DIY piggy bank
To transform your old jar into a piggy bank, make a slit in the lid so you can easily toss in coins without opening it up. This doesn't have to be limited to just stray change, either. You can have multiple jars and label them based on different saving goals — like a new toy or a weekend getaway — so your family has something to work toward. A tip is spray painting the exterior of the jars if you want final openings to be a bigger surprise.
9. Container for dried herbs and spices
If you're growing herbs and spices like rosemary or sage in your garden, old glass peanut butter jars provide you with a cost-free way to package them for storage. Using them for this also comes in handy at grocery stores that allow you to shop with your own containers. Ensure the lids of the jars are on tight to preserve the herbs, keep them in a cool place, and label them. The labels will add a layer of organization and a nice touch to your pantry.
10. Garage storage
Old peanut butter jars can be used to store loose screws, bolts, and nails in your garage or any space where you store home improvement items. These are important to keep in a container because they can easily get lost or cause accidents if they fall on the ground and someone steps on them, so make sure the jar is always closed properly. Jars can also help you stay organized because you can store your items by type, size, and material.
11. Desk organizer
Using an old peanut butter jar as a desk organizer is a creative and simple way to keep your workspace tidy and maintain easy access to small items like pens, pencils, markers, scissors, and paper clips. To be more organized, use different jars for the different types of items. Want to add a personal touch? Decorate the jars with paint, strings, or stickers. You can also be creative with where you keep the jars. One idea is to make a simple wall mount for them to hang on, which is especially helpful if you don't have enough desk space.