Glass
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Reuse clean glass bottles for your own home-made, flavoured vinegars and oils? It's very easy to make your own - just remember to follow the bottle cleaning instructions scrupulously! Once your oils or vinegars are ready, pour into a clean recycled glass bottle and then reuse a clean wine cork as a stopper. Add a label with how-to instructions that you've made from recycled cardboard or old cards.
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To ensure that these containers get re-used again (and again) by the recipient, include how-to instruction labels with your gifts. If you're looking for ways to raise money for your favourite cause, or want to start a small home business, this idea would be a great way to start.
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If you’re concerned about your kids (or yourself) drinking too much commercial pop, why not make your own? Fill a clean and dried glass bottle 1/3 full of sparkling mineral water. Top up with freshly squeezed orange, apple, or grape juice. Seal with a clean cork. Or you can omit the juice and just add a freshly cut slice of lime, lemon, or cucumber for a refreshing drink.
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Now that plastic drinks bottles are taboo in most schools and public buildings (at least here at home), save your glass bottles for taking juice or water to work, school, or wherever.
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For a pretty tabletop bouquet, raid the recycle box for jam jars and pop bottles and group these on a pretty tray or large plate. Pull them together with a length of ribbon and plop a single flower in each one.
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Small glass jars (baby jars are the perfect size) make wonderful candle votives. Wrap thin wire around the neck of the jar, add a wire handle, pop in tea light is all it takes. I make dozens of these to use outside in the summer and hang them everywhere--the porch, fence and trees. Makes for an enchanting backyard!
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It's easy to make a fragrant mister bottle for your linen cupboard by recycling bottles that come with squirt tops. Fill the bottle with distilled water (available at drugstores) and add a few drops of lavender essential oil (or any other scent you like). Use this to mist over bed linen or use it while ironing. Why not make a smaller sized travel version for the car or your office?
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Recycle smaller glass jars with your own homemade bath concoctions. To make a soothing sugar bath rub, fill an empty, clean glass container with brown sugar and mix in few drops of essential oil.
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Refill old salt and pepper shakers with colourful candy sprinkles for your favourite morning beverage or for sprinkling on pancakes or favourite baked goods like cupcakes or pies.
