What To Do With Old Glassware (Do These Things!)
New glassware is a great way to update your place settings, but making room in your cupboards is challenging. Your collection of old glassware keeps growing because it’s in good shape, and perhaps there’s a little sentimental value. With a little creativity, you can come up with new ideas for what to do with old glassware.
Recycle old glassware. Sell it online or at a thrift store or garage sale. Sell older glassware at an antique store. Donate old glassware to support your favorite charity. Use old glassware for scented candles, tea lights, mini cake stands, planters, vases, and desk organizers. Lead glass cannot be recycled.
Let’s take a closer look at what to do with old glassware, as well as how to repurpose lead crystal glasses.
What is Glassware?
When most people think of glassware, what comes to mind are drinking glasses. Glass, though, is a widely-used material in most kitchens that includes casserole dishes, liquid measuring cups, and other dishes that are used for baking and cooking.
Donate Old Glassware
Dishes, glasses, and baking dishes are always popular at local thrift stores. Clean the items, and be sure to remove any baked-on food. Donation centers and thrift shops are happy to take glass kitchen items that are not broken or cracked.
How to Sell Old Glassware
Your old glassware could bring in some extra cash. List it on social media and online websites. College students, new professionals, and single parents may need new glassware, but have limited budgets. The best way to sell old glassware online is to take good photos from different angles. Be sure to include detailed descriptions.
Recycle and Upcycle Old Glassware
It’s hard to dispose of items that still have some potential use. When it comes to old glassware, you can recycle or upcycle. Recycling means that the glassware is broken down and used to manufacture other types of glass items. Upcycling means that you find a new way to use old items, such as glassware.
How to Recycle Old Glassware
Not all old glassware can be recycled. There are two basic types of glass that are used for household items. The first is borosilicate glass. This type of glass has properties that allow it to heat rapidly and cool down without breaking. It is often referred to as Pyrex® or Corningware®. Borosilicate glass cannot be recycled.
The second type of glass is soda-lime glass, and it can be recycled. This is used in most household items, including your windows, jars, drinking glasses, coffee mugs, and even glass countertops.
Can Old Colored Glassware Be Recycled?
In addition to the type of glass, color is another factor that determines if old glassware can be recycled. It’s not so much about the color, but the process that was used to color the glass. Some old glassware contains materials that reduce the quality of the glass that is made with recycled glass. Check with your local recycling station to see if your old colored glassware can be recycled.
How to Upcycle Old Glassware
Considering the limitations on recycling old glassware, upcycling may be the best option. Here are some of the easiest ways to upcycle your old glassware and make room for the new.
Make Candles
Get a little crafty, and turn your old glassware into scented candles. You can find the supplies at a local hobby store. Add interest with dried flower petals and leaves. Stemmed glassware can also be used as candle holders. Just turn it upside down, and put your favorite scented candle on top.
Mini Cake Stands
Use tumblers and old wine glasses for mini cake stands at your next party. Top them off with some scrumptious cupcakes.
Desk Organizers
Glassware of all shapes and sizes can help you organize your desk. Use that old glassware casserole dish for your bills and other documents. Taller glasses make great holders for pencils and scissors, and your old glassware ramekins are great for paperclips, binder clips, and thumbtacks.
Tea Lights
Any type of old stemmed glassware can be transformed into elegant miniature lamps. Set a few out on your dinner table, and put a tea light inside.
Planters and Vases
Old glassware makes great vases for certain types of plants, such as succulents. Fill 1/3 of the glass with rocks and 2/3 with soil. Use old glass bottles for vases.
Can Leaded Glass Be Reused?
Leaded glass was invented in the 1600s as a way to give the final product an impressive clarity and weight. The glass also stands up to cutting for delicate designs. Lead crystal family heirlooms are very common. With the concerns about ingesting lead, many people wonder if old glassware made from leaded glass can be reused.
Because leaded glass cannot be recycled, it is best to find ways to repurpose old lead crystal glassware.
Is Lead Crystal Safe to Use?
After several studies, the US Center for Disease Control released information indicating that lead crystal glassware and other dishes can be used on a very limited basis, such as special occasions. Leaded glass items should not be used as your daily dishware.
What To Do with Old Lead Crystal Glassware
You can upcycle old lead crystal glassware in the same ways as normal glassware, except for potting plants. The lead may leech out of the crystal and into the water. Lead has the same toxic affects on plants as humans, and any plant that gets a daily dose of lead is certain to have a very short life. Here are some other ideas for what to do with old lead crystal glassware.
Votive Candles
Lead crystal wine glasses are great for votive candles. Fill the bottom of the glass with colored sand, and push the candle into the sand.
Garden Art
Use small colored lead crystal dishes for garden art. Use hot glue to create a sculpture. You can also make artistic flowers with the dishes. Get some 14- or 15-gauge steel wire, or use old metal hangers. Cut the wire in 12” to 14” lengths. Attach the dish to the wire using an epoxy glue. Put a piece of floral foam in an outdoor container, and stick each flower into the foam. Complete the design with Spanish moss.
Another great idea for garden art is to make glass mushrooms. This works best with old lead crystal vases and shallow dishes. Stand the vases with the opening at the top. Put small lead crystal bowls upside down on top of the vases. You can use epoxy glue to hold the pieces together.
Patio Decorations
The clarity and intricate designs on old lead crystal glassware makes it ideal for decorative lighting. Buy some small, battery-operated twinkle lights at your local hobby store. Put a strand of lights in each glass container, and put them around your patio.
Winter Decor
Make winter decorations with old lead crystal glassware. Buy small figurines and imitation snow at your local hobby store. Turn the glassware upside down and fill about 1/3 of it with the figure and snow. Use snowflake stencils and spray snow to decorate the outside of the glass.
Window Art
If you have some small, flat pieces of lead crystal glassware, make window art. Find an old window frame at a local thrift shop or antique store. Fit the crystal pieces inside each opening in the window frame. You may need to play around a bit with different sizes of crystal to fill most of the opening where glass is normally installed. Use epoxy glue to attach the pieces to each other and the window frame. Hang the window art in a part of the room that receives direct sunlight or over an existing window.
Related Questions
How do I clean old glassware?
Clean old glassware within equal parts water and white vinegar. Let the glassware soak overnight, and use a nylon scrub to remove any hard water deposits.
How do I wash lead crystal glasses?
Wash lead crystal glasses by hand with regular dish soap. Hand dry the items.
Conclusion
Considering the many ways that glass can be recycled and upcycled, there’s no need to throw out old glassware. With a little creativity, you can find ways to put the items to good use.
Related Guide
Jennifer L. Eggerton loves being hands-on, whether it's with a home DIY project, making repairs, re-decorating a room, or keeping life organized. She enjoys helping people by sharing her knowledge, insights, and experiences, as well as her lessons learned. In addition to her work as a writer, Jennifer is a Jeep® overlander, self-published author, and nature photographer who loves being outdoors.
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