The headline “Stop throwing away your old pill bottles: here are 12 ingenious ways to reuse them at home” is a common recycling idea. Empty prescription bottles can be useful for small storage projects, but they should be cleaned properly and used safely.
12 practical ways to reuse old pill bottles
- 🧵 Store small craft supplies
- Buttons
- Beads
- Needles
- Sewing pins
- Small pieces of ribbon
- 🔩 Organize tiny hardware
- Screws
- Nails
- Washers
- Wall anchors
- 🧳 Travel containers
Useful for small amounts of:
- Cotton swabs
- Hair ties
- Safety pins
- Small toiletries (if the bottle is clean and suitable)
- 🪴 Seed storage
- Store leftover seeds in a dry bottle.
- Label the type of seed and date.
- 🖍️ Crayon or pencil holders
Small bottles can hold short pencils, crayons, or markers. - 🧼 Emergency kit containers
Keep small items such as:
- Bandages
- Moleskin
- Safety pins
- 🔌 Cord and cable organizer
Roll up small charging cables or earbuds and keep them from tangling. - 🧲 Magnetized storage
Attach a strong magnet to the outside and use it to hold lightweight items on a metal surface. - 🐾 Pet supply storage
Store small amounts of:
- Training treats
- Waste bag rolls
- Grooming accessories
- 🧼 DIY craft containers
Use them for:
- Homemade lip balm
- Small craft projects
- Paint mixing (for non-food uses)
- 🧊 Outdoor or car emergency storage
Keep:
- Spare change
- A small flashlight battery set
- Emergency contact information (not sensitive personal data)
- 🌱 Mini plant starter (with caution)
A bottle can be used temporarily for seed-starting or small cuttings if it has drainage added—but it is not ideal for long-term plant growth.
Important safety tips
- Remove or cover the prescription label before reusing or disposing of bottles to protect your personal information.
- Wash bottles thoroughly and let them dry completely.
- Do not reuse them for food, drinks, or anything you consume unless the container is specifically designed for that purpose.
- Do not store old medications in reused bottles unless they are the original labeled container and intended for that medication.
Best option for empty medication bottles: Many pharmacies and community programs accept them for recycling or safe disposal, and some have reuse programs.
