Empty prescription pill bottles can be surprisingly useful if you first remove or completely cover the prescription label to protect your personal information. Be sure the bottle is clean and dry before reusing it for non-medication purposes.
Here are some practical ideas:
- Store small hardware: Screws, nails, nuts, bolts, washers, or picture hooks.
- Organize craft supplies: Beads, buttons, needles, pins, sequins, or sewing notions.
- Keep travel-sized items together: Cotton swabs, hair ties, bobby pins, or earplugs.
- Make a portable sewing kit: Include thread, needles, small scissors, and safety pins.
- Protect matches or a small emergency kit: The bottles are durable and have tight-fitting lids.
- Store coins or spare keys: Useful in a car, backpack, or drawer.
- Organize garden seeds: Label each bottle with the plant name and date.
- Carry pet treats: Handy for walks or training sessions.
- Store chargers or small electronics accessories: Such as USB adapters or memory cards.
If you choose to reuse a bottle for medication (for example, carrying a few tablets while traveling), make sure:
- The medication is clearly labeled so it can’t be confused with something else.
- It is kept out of reach of children and pets.
If you don’t plan to reuse the bottles, many pharmacies and community recycling programs can advise on the best way to dispose of or recycle them, though local recycling rules vary because pill bottles are made from different types of plastic.
