An old pill organizer can be surprisingly useful once it’s clean and no longer needed for medications. Here are 12 practical ways to reuse it:
- Store small screws, nails, and bolts for DIY projects.
- Organize sewing supplies like needles, pins, buttons, and safety pins.
- Keep jewelry such as earrings, rings, or necklace clasps separated when traveling.
- Sort craft materials like beads, sequins, or googly eyes.
- Store fishing tackle such as hooks, swivels, and sinkers.
- Organize office supplies like paper clips, push pins, staples, and rubber bands.
- Carry travel-size toiletries, such as cotton swabs, hair ties, or bobby pins.
- Store spare batteries for hearing aids or small electronics (if the compartments are large enough).
- Organize seeds by plant type for gardening.
- Keep tiny electronic parts like memory cards, adapters, or small connectors together.
- Make a portable first-aid kit with adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, and other small essentials (avoid using it for medications to prevent confusion).
- Sort coins or small collectibles such as stamps, charms, or miniature game pieces.
Safety tips
- Wash the pill box thoroughly with warm, soapy water before reusing it.
- If you’re still taking medications, don’t reuse an old pill organizer for non-medical items and another similar one for pills, as this could lead to mix-ups.
- If the organizer is cracked, won’t close properly, or has labels that could cause confusion, it’s better to recycle or dispose of it if local recycling facilities accept that type of plastic.
Repurposing a pill box is a simple way to reduce waste while keeping small items organized.
