You can’t turn around these days without seeing the word sustainability bandied about. At City Larder, we’re constantly looking for ways to make our business practice kinder on the environment.

While you can recycle your glass jars, the smarter move is to reuse them instead. City Larder labels adhere in a way that makes them simple to remove, giving the jar a second life. We did a quick poll in the office and here are the top ways our team members repurpose those handy-dandy glass jars.

1. Keep them on hand for when the preserving urge strikes. Maybe you’ve come across a windfall of fruit or want to whip up a quick batch of pickles from the remnants of the veggie crisper.
Vegetable Pickles recipe
Ingredients
• thyme sprigs
• 4 baby carrots, peeled & cut into large slices
• ¼ head of cauliflower, separated the florets
• 1 onion, peeled & quartered
• 1 stick celery, cut into large slices
• 1 jalapeno, cut into large slices
• 150ml white wine vinegar
• 100ml water
• 50g white sugar
• 25g salt
• bay leaf, peppercorns, star anise, juniper berries
Method
1) Place sprig of thyme into the base of clean, dry jars then layer up your cut vegetables in an aesthetically pleasing manner. In a small pan, heat through vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and spices then bring it all to a boil.
2) Pour hot pickle brine (including spices) directly into the jar over vegetables. Secure the lid while all still warm. Allow to cool then pop jars into the fridge for minimum of a few days.
3) To serve, decant the pickled vegetables from the brine then top with chopped fresh dill and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

2. The jar’s compact size is ideal for salad dressings. Here’s a basic vinaigrette recipe you can easily put your own spin on - minced shallots, garlic, miso etc.
Ingredients
• 3 parts olive oil
• salt
• freshly ground pepper
• Dijon mustard
• 1 part vinegar or other acid such as lemon juice
Add ingredients to the jar and secure the lid and shake until combined.

3.  Make up your own spice blends such as taco seasoning, tagine spice mix etc.
Robbie’s Basic Curry Spice Mix recipe - adjust to personal preferences
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 10 cardamom pods
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon hot chilli powder
• 1 tablespoon brown mustard seeds
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds
• 10-12 dried curry leaves
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
Dry frying your whole spices before use will unleash their full power.

4. Collected a fair stash of jars? Our jars are an Instagram-worthy way to store dried herbs & spices in your pantry.

5. Take jars with you when you’re doing a bulk goods shop. They’re perfect for small quantities of nuts, spices, bi-carb soda etc.

6. Feeling crafty? Making your own candles is easier than you think and is a fun weekend activity.

7. Reserve those tasty leftover fats from cooking including bacon fat (great for frying eggs) through to duck fat (hello roast potatoes).