Examples of Repurposing Food Containers: 3 Practical Examples for a Zero-Waste Kitchen

Before we talk theory, let’s start with real-life, low-effort wins. When people ask me for examples of repurposing food containers: 3 practical examples I always come back to these three because they’re easy, fast, and genuinely helpful in a busy kitchen.

1. Glass jars from sauces and pickles → pantry and drink heroes

You know those glass jars from pasta sauce, pickles, salsa, and olives? They’re some of the best examples of containers you can repurpose over and over.

Here’s how they shine:

You wash the jar, peel off the label (a soak in warm soapy water usually does it), and suddenly you have a sturdy, clear container that works for:

• Storing dry goods like rice, lentils, oats, nuts, and seeds.
• Batch-made cold brew or iced tea in the fridge.
• Leftover soup or curry that you can see at a glance.
• Overnight oats or chia pudding for grab-and-go breakfasts.

These jars are especially handy if you’re trying to reduce single-use plastic. A 2023 report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that containers and packaging still make up a major share of household waste in the United States.² Every time you reuse a jar instead of buying a new plastic container, you’re quietly pushing that number in the right direction.

A simple example of repurposing food containers here: your empty marinara jar becomes your new favorite iced coffee cup. It’s thick glass, it fits a standard straw, and you can throw on the lid when you’re heading out the door.

2. Plastic yogurt, sour cream, and hummus tubs → freezer and leftovers workhorses

If glass jars are the stars of the pantry, plastic tubs are the unsung heroes of the freezer. When people want real examples of repurposing food containers that save money, I point them to the humble yogurt tub.

Those tubs are perfect for:

• Freezing cooked beans, broth, or homemade stock.
• Storing cut fruit or veggie scraps for future smoothies or homemade vegetable broth.
• Portioning out leftovers for lunches.

Because these tubs are lightweight and stackable, they’re ideal for freezer use. You can label them with a piece of masking tape and a date, then reuse them until they crack or warp.

One practical example of repurposing food containers: every time you finish a large tub of yogurt, wash it and designate it as your “scrap bucket” in the freezer. Toss in onion ends, carrot peels, celery leaves, and herb stems. When the container is full, simmer everything with water to make vegetable stock. You’ve just turned food scraps and a “disposable” tub into homemade broth.

Just be sure to keep hot foods out of thin plastic tubs until they cool down to room temperature. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends following manufacturer guidance on plastic containers and avoiding high heat with plastics not designed for it.³

3. Tins and sturdy boxes from cookies, tea, and candy → organization and gift-ready storage

Metal cookie tins, tea tins, and sturdy cardboard boxes are some of the best examples of repurposing food containers: 3 practical examples because they easily move beyond the kitchen.

You can:

• Store baking tools like cookie cutters, piping tips, and measuring spoons.
• Organize small items: batteries, tape, rubber bands, sewing supplies.
• Use them as gift boxes for homemade cookies, granola, or candies.

A simple example of repurposing food containers: that fancy chocolate tin from the holidays becomes your “baking box” where you store cupcake liners, decorating sprinkles, and birthday candles. Instead of buying new plastic organizers, you’ve reused something that would likely have gone straight into the trash.

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, reusing packaging is a key strategy in moving toward a circular economy, where materials are kept in use for as long as possible.⁴ These tins and boxes are a natural fit for that mindset.

More real examples of repurposing food containers in a zero-waste kitchen

Once you get comfortable with these three core habits, it’s surprisingly easy to spot more examples of repurposing food containers all around your home. Here are some additional, very real examples you can start using this week.

Repurposed jars for bulk shopping and takeout

If you shop at stores with bulk bins, glass jars are your best friends. Instead of using the store’s plastic bags, you bring clean jars, have them weighed (for the tare), and fill them with:

• Rice, beans, and lentils
• Flour, sugar, and oats
• Nuts, seeds, and dried fruit

This is one of the best examples of repurposing food containers because you’re cutting waste at two levels: reusing a jar and skipping new plastic.

Jars also work for takeout and leftovers at restaurants that allow you to bring your own containers. In 2024, more cafes and local spots are open to this idea as customers ask for low-waste options. Just call ahead and ask what they’re comfortable with.

Pasta sauce jars as on-the-go lunch and snack containers

Another everyday example of repurposing food containers: turning pasta sauce jars into portable lunch containers.

You can layer salads in them (dressing at the bottom, sturdy veggies next, greens on top), store cut-up fruit, or pack soups and stews. The clear glass lets you see what’s inside, so you’re less likely to forget about leftovers and let them rot in the back of the fridge.

This small habit also supports food-waste reduction, which matters. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that 30–40% of the food supply in the U.S. is wasted.⁵ When your food is stored well and easy to see, you’re more likely to actually eat it.

Takeout containers as meal-prep tools

Sturdy plastic takeout containers are another example of repurposing food containers that’s almost too simple. Instead of tossing them, wash and reuse them for:

• Sunday meal-prep portions.
• Pre-chopped veggies for the week.
• Marinating tofu, meat, or veggies in the fridge.

They stack neatly, and you don’t care if one gets stained by tomato sauce or turmeric. When they eventually crack, then they can go to recycling (if accepted in your area) after a long second life.

Glass bottles from juices and cold brew as water bottles

Many store-bought juices, kombucha, and cold brews now come in sturdy glass bottles. These are perfect real examples of repurposing food containers for drinks on the go.

Use them as:

• Refillable water bottles at home and work.
• Smoothie or protein shake bottles.
• DIY salad dressing shakers.

This is one of the best examples because it replaces a commonly purchased item: the single-use plastic water bottle. Refill at home, refill at work, repeat.

Small jars and tins as spice and seasoning containers

If you’ve ever bought spices in bulk, you know the struggle of where to store them. Tiny jam jars, mustard jars, and tea tins are perfect for this.

Label them with the spice name and date, and you’ve just created a low-cost, low-waste spice system. This is a subtle example of repurposing food containers that can dramatically reduce how many tiny plastic spice bottles you buy.

Repurposing food containers for non-food uses

Repurposing doesn’t have to stay in the kitchen. Some of the best examples include:

• Using a large plastic coffee tub as a countertop compost caddy (with a lid to control smells).
• Turning a cookie tin into a mini sewing kit or hardware box (nails, screws, picture hooks).
• Using a small glass jar as a pen holder, makeup brush holder, or coin jar.

These real examples of repurposing food containers show how one habit—pausing before you throw something away—can ripple into every room of your home.

How to repurpose food containers safely

A quick word on safety, because it matters more than aesthetics.

• Check for cracks and chips. Damaged containers (especially glass) should not be used for food.
• Avoid heating in unknown plastics. If a plastic container isn’t labeled as microwave-safe, don’t put it in the microwave. The FDA notes that only containers labeled for microwave use should be heated that way.¹
• Use plastic for cold or room-temperature food. When in doubt, use plastic tubs for freezer storage, dry goods, or fridge items—not for hot soups or oven use.
• Wash thoroughly. Remove old labels, wash with hot soapy water, and let containers dry fully before reuse.

When you follow these basic guidelines, the examples of repurposing food containers: 3 practical examples we’ve covered become both low-waste and low-risk.

Building a simple system: how to avoid clutter while repurposing

There’s a fine line between smart reuse and “I now live in a fortress of empty jars.” A few habits keep things sane:

• Set a limit. Decide how many jars, tubs, and tins you realistically use. Maybe it’s 10 jars, 8 tubs, and 5 tins. Once you hit your limit, extras go to recycling or donation.
• Assign roles. Give each type of container a job: yogurt tubs for freezing stock, small jars for spices, large jars for grains, tins for tools.
• Store like with like. Keep all repurposed jars in one cabinet, tubs nested together, tins stacked. That way, you can actually find them.

This is how the best examples of repurposing food containers stay practical instead of overwhelming. You’re building a curated “reusables library,” not a random pile.

Why these examples of repurposing food containers matter in 2024–2025

In the last few years, interest in low-waste living has grown fast. Refill shops, bulk sections, and reuse-focused brands are more common in many U.S. cities and online. At the same time, global plastic production and packaging waste continue to rise.

Small, daily habits—like the examples of repurposing food containers: 3 practical examples we walked through—won’t fix the entire system. But they do three important things:

• They cut your personal waste and your demand for new plastic containers.
• They save you money by replacing products you’d otherwise buy.
• They build a mindset of reuse, which supports bigger shifts (like choosing products with less packaging, supporting refill programs, or voting for better waste policy).

You’re not just saving a jar. You’re practicing a different way of thinking about stuff.

FAQ: Common questions about examples of repurposing food containers

Q1. What are some easy examples of repurposing food containers for beginners?
Start with glass jars from pasta sauce and pickles for dry goods and drinks, yogurt tubs for freezing leftovers and scraps, and cookie tins for organizing small items. These are some of the best examples because they require almost no DIY skills—just wash, label, and use.

Q2. Is it safe to reuse plastic food containers over and over?
Generally, it’s fine to reuse sturdy plastic containers for cold or room-temperature foods as long as they’re not cracked or warped. Avoid microwaving or putting very hot food in plastics that aren’t labeled for heat. The FDA recommends only using microwave-safe containers in the microwave and following manufacturer instructions.⁶

Q3. Can you give an example of repurposing food containers to reduce food waste?
A great example of repurposing food containers is using a large yogurt tub as a freezer “scrap bucket.” Add clean veggie scraps (carrot ends, onion skins, herb stems) until it’s full, then simmer with water to make broth. You’ve reduced both food waste and packaging waste in one move.

Q4. How do I avoid hoarding too many jars and tubs?
Set a clear limit based on your space and habits. For instance, keep only as many jars as can fit on one shelf, or as many yogurt tubs as stack in one cabinet. Once you reach that limit, recycle extras or offer them to friends, neighbors, or local Buy Nothing groups.

Q5. Are there any containers I shouldn’t repurpose for food?
Avoid reusing containers that held non-food items (like paint or chemicals) for anything edible. Also skip cracked glass, chipped jars, and plastics that look degraded or warped. When in doubt, use questionable containers for non-food storage only—like hardware, art supplies, or office odds and ends.

If you start with these examples of repurposing food containers: 3 practical examples and add a few of the extra ideas that fit your life, you’ll feel the difference quickly. Fewer trash bags, fewer new containers to buy, and a kitchen that quietly supports your zero-waste goals every single day.