HamJars began in September 2013 when I realized I’d accumulated an awful lot of empty jam jars in my kitchen cupboard that I’d used, washed and for whatever reason, not thrown away. Covering a range of sizes from pesto to industrial pickled eggs, I decided I could not bear to submit them to the recycling bin, along with all the other rubbish which probably never sees a recycling plant in its life.
I had over 20 at this point, so needed something I could produce en masse and that would not require immediate consumption….and so the most logical (?) thing to do was make chutney – HamJars was born!
After acquiring my first batch of apples from my parents’ doorstep from a friendly neighbour with a glut, I soon realized how easy chutney was to produce and very quickly ran out of jam jars. The problem had now flipped; how would I get more empty jam jars to supply the now increasing supply of unwanted apples?!
I posted a little note through a few neighbours’ doors, stuck a plea for unwanted jars outside my house, and before long the word spread; I now have a steady supply of jars delivered to a yellow bucket on my doorstep! Various friends, businesses and local pubs have supported the cause and donated their empty jars so this, combined with Autumn’s apple overload, has allowed me to produce the chutney that you have – or will soon have – tried!
Recycled, up-cycled, sustainable and delicious, HamJars is a group effort from so many of my friends, family, neighbours and strangers, showing what you can produce from other people’s waste.
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