Virginia Sole-Smith
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So I've moved my Plastic Project out of the bathroom and am now taking a good, hard look at how I can use less plastic in the kitchen. Which is easier said than done (I'm just not sure I'm ready to give up seltzer, people). But one easy-peasy thing we can all do is stock up on mason jars. They're absurdly practical, attractive, durable, and dishwasher/microwave/stove-top safe. Here are the main ways I'm using mason jars right now:
1. As glasses! Which, to be honest, isn't replacing that much plastic because most of our glasses were well, glass, to begin with. But when we have a crowd over, the sturdy mason jar is a much better choice than the flimsy disposable plastic cup. We also figured out that they're great for transporting beverages to picnics since you can screw the lid on nice and tight.
2. As lunch boxes! My husband takes his lunch (usually leftovers from whatever we cooked at the weekend) to work in pint-sized mason jars and reports that they are spill-proof and breakage-proof, even when he throws them in his backpack for a 75-minute train ride.
3. As Tupperware! In fact, mason jars are the perfect size for most leftover storage because the pint-size ones will hold one to two servings nicely, depending on the dish. And they are safe to microwave in (lids off!) because the glass won't leach chemicals into your food the way plastic might. I also like to put dry goods from the bulk bin in mason jars, to cut down on plastic packaging and stave off pantry pests.
4. As fresh herb storage! Put a damp paper towel on the bottom, then chop up your herbs and pack them in tight and they'll stay fresher in the fridge for longer. You can also preserve garlic by packing peeled cloves into a jar with a little olive oil. (Good to know if your CSA unloads 20 bulbs a week on you, like mine does.)
You get the idea. The list of uses for mason jars is pretty much endless. Pen holders, vases, bathroom storage, candle holders...for more tips see 50 Ways to Hack a Mason Jar. I bought about three dozen brand new, but have also stocked up at thrift stores, flea markets, and antique fairs (especially good for the big old-fashioned kind with the glass tops and wire closures).
Read more from this series:
The Plastic Project Part 1: What This Will Be All About.
The Plastic Project Part 2: The Plastic In My Bathroom
The Plastic Project Part 3: What's In Your Tampons?
The Plastic Project Part 4: Safe Plastic Swaps for Your Hair
The Plastic Project Part 5: Three Natural Deodorant Alternatives that Work
