What to do with empty pill bottles

The safest options are to reuse them at home, drop them off through a special recycling program, or throw them away after removing personal information if no better option is available. Most curbside recycling programs do not accept pill bottles, even when they are made of recyclable #5 plastic.

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Quick Scoop

Empty pill bottles are small, lightweight, and often rejected by regular recycling systems, so the best choice depends on your local options. If you still have medication inside, use a drug take-back program or follow FDA guidance for safe disposal of unused medicine.

[6][2] [1][5][9] [7][1][2] [2][6]
Option What to do Best for
Reuse Use for travel kits, first-aid supplies, seeds, hair ties, screws, or other small items. Keeping useful containers out of the trash.
Recycle Check for a specialty recycling or mail-back program; clean the bottle and remove labels if required. When local programs accept pill bottles.
Trash Remove or obscure personal information first, then discard. When no recycling or reuse option is available.

Best next steps

  1. Check for leftover medicine. If there is any medication left, dispose of it through a take-back program if possible. The FDA says that is the best option for unused or expired medicines.
    2. [6]
  2. Protect your privacy. Remove the prescription label or scratch out personal details before reusing, donating, or throwing the bottle away.
    3. [2]
  3. Clean the bottle. If you plan to recycle or repurpose it, rinse and dry it first; some programs also ask you to remove lids or adhesive.
    4. [1][2]
  4. Repurpose it. Empty pill bottles can be handy for bandages, small craft items, seeds, earbud storage, or travel-sized essentials.
    5. [5][9][1]

Good reuse ideas

  • Mini first-aid kit.
  • Seed or bead storage.
  • Travel container for earrings, bobby pins, or floss sticks.
  • Small hardware holder for screws, nails, or batteries.
    • [9][5][1]

If you want, I can also give you a state-by- state style checklist for disposing of pill bottles safely at home.