Earth Day 2023: 12 Amazing Ideas For Reusing Your Nut Butter Jars

Did you know that people generate around 4 pounds of trash every day?

Unfortunately, most waste ends up in landfills or in the ocean, which is very damaging to the environment. Although living a waste-free life is very difficult, there are many things you can do to reduce the amount of trash you generate.

Earth Day 2023 is finally here, and if you've been looking for ways to live a more sustainable life, today is a great day to start! Even small actions can make a significant impact.

So, if you've been looking for a way to get started, you've come to the right place. Read on for 12 fantastic ideas of how to reuse your nut butter jars!

1. Turn Them Into Mini Flower or Plant Pots

There is no better way to celebrate Earth Day 2023 than by planting some greenery! Nut butter jars make perfect planters for small plants, succulents, and even some of your favorite herbs. To get started, all you have to do is thoroughly clean your jars, remove the label, and add some soil and your favorite seeds. 

If you choose to, you can decorate the outside of your nut jar to match your aesthetic!

Some of the best things to plant into a mini pot are: 

• Cilantro
• Basil
• Dill
• Begonias
• Pansies
• Succulents 
• Watercress
• And more!

Don't forget to research and see what each plant or flower needs to grow to its fullest potential.

2. Make Some Flower Vases

If you feel like the decor in your home needs a little sprucing up, take this opportunity and turn your empty peanut butter jars into faux flower vases. Because you don't have to plant anything, this easy DIY project is very low maintenance and will make any area of your home look beautiful. 

All you'll need for this project is: 

• Empty and clean nut butter jars
• Floral styrofoam
• Your favorite faux flowers
• Acrylic paint 
• A ribbon of your choice

Remove the label and thoroughly clean your jars. Then, paint them with acrylic paint and let them dry (for a better finish, apply the paint to the inside of the jars). After the jars are completely dry, tie your ribbon around the jar's circumference. 

Finally, measure out how much floral styrofoam you'll need and place it inside the jars. Add your faux flowers, and voila! 

3. Create a Makeup Brush Holder

Do you feel like your bathroom/vanity area is always a mess? If so, you should consider repurposing your empty nut butter jars into stylish makeup brush holders. All you have to do is remove the label, thoroughly clean the container, and add small marbles, jewelry beads, or aquarium glass pebbles. 

The marbles, beads, or pebbles will help your makeup brushes stand up on their own without wobbling all over the empty jar. If you want to, you can also use some acrylic paint and decorate your jar. However, simply adding the beads will make your new brush holder look beautiful!

4. Store Salsa and Homemade Salad Dressings

Making your own salad dressings, sauces, and salsas can often be a healthier and more sustainable way to enjoy these items. And luckily, empty nut butter jars make a fantastic storage item for all of your homemade goodness. Nut butter jars are refrigerator-safe, easy to store and stack, and have a lid. 

To keep everything extra organized, you can remove the nut butter label and add a tag of your own for each dressing or salsa you make!

5. Organize Your Herbs and Spices

Buying unpackaged herbs and spices can be a great way to reduce your waste. However, having a storage system in place is crucial to make this buying habit sustainable for your lifestyle. 

No one likes to have herbs and spices sitting in bags or open containers, so take this as an opportunity to use your empty nut butter jars to create an organization system. Using a label maker or simply scribbling directly on the jar, write down the names of the spices and herbs you plan to store. 

Remember to always clean the jars and let them dry thoroughly before adding any spices!

6. Make a "Happiness Jar"

If you are looking for an easy DIY project that will put a smile on your face every day, this one is for you! A happiness jar is simply a container you fill up with your favorite memories. On days when you are feeling down or need a reminder of things that make you happy, you can pull out one of the memories to cheer up. 

All you have to do is clean your nut butter jar, remove the label, and decorate it however you please. 

Some people add stickers, bedazzle it, or paint it with acrylic paint. You can make it as busy or minimalist as you want. The only true "rule" to this DIY project is to commit to filling it with small notes of things that have brought you joy!

7. Create a Pencil Holder

Another great way to repurpose your nut butter jars is to use them as storage for your stationery. For this, you can decorate a single jar or glue a few together to form a pyramid. 

The single jar option is perfect if you only have a few pens and pencils floating around your desk. All you have to do is clean out one of your nut butter jars, decorate it however you want, and gather your wandering stationery. 

On the other hand, you should consider making a pyramid if you have a big collection of writing utensils. You can start simple with three jars and glue two together for the bottom tier, and add another one on top. Or, if you need more space, make a bigger pyramid using six jars; three on the bottom level, two in the middle, and one on top. 

8. Store Your Leftovers

If you like to meal prep or simply find yourself constantly having a bunch of leftovers, nut butter jars can be a great place to store them.

Because of their convenient size, these jars are perfect for pre-portioning food and snacks, making it easier to enjoy your leftovers on the go. 

9. Use it as a Change Jar

Did you know that adding 50 cents to a change jar every day can help you save almost $200 in a year? Although that might not sound like a lot for a whole year's savings, that money can get you a national plane ticket, some cute new outfits, or a lot of jars of your favorite nut butter. 

Reuse your jars as piggy banks to store your change and positively impact the environment and your money-saving habits. All you have to do is clean out your nut butter jar, decorate it however you like, and cut a coin-sized hole on the lid. 

If you commit to saving a few cents every day, you might need to make more than one of these. Consider making one for each month of the year, and challenge yourself not to count the added change until you've saved for 12 months!

10. Store Your Jewelry 

If you tend to leave your jewelry all-around your house, you should consider creating a system to avoid losing any of your favorite pieces. For an easy and fun way to store your most precious jewels, clean out a jar of nut butter, and bedazzle it using your favorite flat-backed crystals and bedazzling glue. 

Make this jar as stylish as possible, and commit to always leaving it by your bedside. If you have it near you before you go to sleep, you'll never forget to use it!

11. Create a "Memory Jar"

A memory jar can be a fantastic decor for your home or an excellent gift for someone you love. All you have to do to create one is:

1. Clean your nut butter jar and remove the label
2. Print out some pictures of the memory you want to preserve
3. Tape the pictures on the inside of the jar (the image should face the outside, so it resembles a picture frame)
4. Fill the jar with keepsakes

Whether you make one for your latest vacation, a significant life event, or as a gift, memory jars are a fantastic way to reuse your nut butter containers and turn them into something that will bring joy to you or someone you love!

12. Make Overnight Oats

If thoroughly cleaning out your almost-empty nut butter jars does not sound like a great idea right now, you can still reuse the jars and make something delicious. Making overnight oats is a great way to use the jars while simultaneously taking care of those last nut butter bits stuck to the bottom of the container. 

There are many delicious overnight oats recipes out there, and using your American Dream Nut Butter jars is a great way to turn this nutritious food into the perfect on-the-go breakfast. 

Celebrate Earth Day 2023 by Reusing Your Nut Butter Jars!

Earth Day 2023 is the perfect day to start making more sustainable choices and begin your journey of reducing waste. Whether you use your empty American Dream Nut Butter jars for storage or choose to repurpose them and create something like a makeup brush holder, choosing not to throw them away is a step in the right direction! 

Are you looking to stock up on some nut butter goodness? Make sure to check out our product catalog!