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The Search for Imperfection | If I Can Do It, You Can Do It

It doesn't have to be perfect, the joy is in the imperfection

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What to Use Instead of Plastic Cups – A Green, Easy DIY Alternative

March 28, 2016 by Jennifer 4 Comments

We’ve all heard of the dangers of plastic, and maybe feel a little twinge of guilt every time we give our kids a plastic cup. They’re just so darn convenient (and yes, we still have some in our cabinets… I couldn’t justify filling the landfills because of my soap-box). But maybe you’re not so sure what to use instead of plastic cups, and worry it won’t be as convenient. (This post contains affiliate links.)

Let me share a solution I’ve found that works great. First, a little back story:

I was totally busted by my husband a few months ago. I had just published a post I was very proud of about simplifying, streamlining, and greenifying (not a word, I know) our kids dishes – The Best Alternative to Plastic Kids Dishes. We banned the plastic and switched to these amazing silicone plates and bowls, and haven’t turned back since.

Soon after I wrote about the horrors of plastic kids-ware, I was doing some shopping (but it wasn’t at Target so I figured I was safe) and let my daughter talk me into buying her another cute plastic drink tumbler. They’re perfect because they’re not sippy cups which she’s a little old for, but they’re not an open container which just begs to be spilled.

I got home and my husband gasped in horror. “You bought a plastic cup after that post you wrote about our plates?!” I gasped in amazement. “You read a post from my blog?!” I hadn’t seen that one coming. Ever since then, I knew I had to do something about the cabinet full of plastic tumblers.

MasonJarStrawCups

What to Use Instead of Plastic Cups and Tumblers

I looked around on Etsy and Amazon, but nothing was jumping out at me. My mom had given us these stainless steel straws for Christmas, and I got inspired. We have a ton of mason jars hanging around our house (who doesn’t these days), and I figured all I needed now were some lids with straw holes.

It seemed easy enough to make them myself. So I found some silicone grommets, but we didn’t have any one piece lids. I was going to have to buy those as well. This DIY project was starting to get pricier and pricier.

Then I found these GREAT straw lids with fun designs on them, for just a teeny bit more than it would cost to make them myself. There were others that ended up being less than making them myself, but I’m a sucker for a fun design. The time saved (and tracking down where our drill was that day) was definitely worth it.

If you are worried about kids and glass, there are a ton of silicone mason jar covers that would make them much safer.

How to Make a Mason Jar Straw Lid

If you DO WANT to make them yourself, however, it’s super easy. Here is how you do it:

First you need a drill with a 3/8″ bit, and your lid.

FirstYouNeedaDrillAndLid

Then you drill the hole (that is my husband drilling only because I wanted to take the picture… I have control issues… anyone can do this).

ThenYouDrillTheHole

Then you take the grommet.

ThisIsWhatTheGrommetLooksLike

And just nestle it in the hole.

FinishedStrawHoleLid

Or you buy some that are already done.

StrawHoleLids

Grab your stainless straws.

StainlessStraws

And enjoy the fruits of your labor. I drink my smoothie from it every day now.

MorningSmoothie

And if you’re feeling extra fancy, you can get oil-based Sharpies and personalize the cups.

PersonalizedMasonJar

All in all, it’s a quick and easy way to get rid of one more plastic items in your household.

Any suggestions for what we should do next?

Related

Filed Under: Crafts & DIY, Homemaking, Living, Semi-Green Living Tagged With: diy, green, mason jar, plastic

Previous Post: « Crockpot Pork and Mushroom Breadcrumb Pasta
Next Post: 6 Ways to Parent on Two Hours a Day »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristin Cook says

    March 29, 2016 at 12:14 pm

    So, I know why throwing out plastic is bad, but I don't really know why using a reusable plastic container is bad. lol. But, I do love drinking out of glass jars :)
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      March 29, 2016 at 12:48 pm

      I totally get it Kristin! It's more about the production process and toxins plastics emit, versus other materials that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly to produce. Trust me, I am NOT an expert. I'm just working towards moving away from plastic for those reasons.
      Reply
  2. Melony Smith says

    June 9, 2019 at 6:11 am

    My good glasses are Ragu jars. :D I reuse jars for sewing stuff, but I like the straw idea, not that fancy of a person, but where would I find the grommets?
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      September 7, 2019 at 5:17 pm

      That's perfect! If you click on the orange "silicone grommets" within the post it will show you where you can get them.
      Reply

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Welcome, I'm Jen! I'm here to offer realistic (sometimes semi-green) parenting, eating, and homemaking tips so that you can embrace life and let go of perfection. Because if I can do it, you can do it! Get to know more of Jen →

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