How To Recycle Prescription Bottles
September 3, 2007 by Jennifer
I received an email from a green-minded reader asking about how she could recycle prescription bottles. In the past (and still) there have been some negative issues surrounding the recycling of prescription bottles and other plastics without necks.
The gist of it is the same reason plastic lids have non-recyclable qualities — even though the plastics may show the same number as your recyclable plastics they go through a very different manufacturing process. Marti at Eco-Cycle has a longer answer that talks about the process part of the problem.
That said there are some things you can do.
First you need to learn your own community’s recycling guidelines. Where I live you don’t check for numbers you just look at the plastic; if the container has a cylindrical quality such as many prescription bottles you can’t recycle it. If it has a neck and shoulder you’re good to go. This is not across the board; some states or cities have different regulations and will simply take any and all plastics, as long as they show the correct number (usually 1-7 or a variation). Check with your local city or county website for links to your recycling program.
Other things you can do:
- I’ve read about some people having luck reusing their bottle at the pharmacy. Such as taking the same bottle in and having the pharmacist refill it; but I also have read a lot where people have loads of trouble getting their pharmacy to do this. Some may consider it a household hazardous waste container
You can always start at the source. If you don’t like how companies are packaging their product write and tell them so. Your pharmacy has contact information for your prescription manufacturer and contact info is also likely on-line. Tell your pharmacy what you don’t love about non-recyclable bottles. Ask manufacturers for bubble pack pill holders (still waste but less) or ask them to switch to a neck based bottle.- Where I live there is a separate recycling plant nearby that will take items that curbside won’t. There may be one near you. Mine is conveniently listed on my county recycling information page. But if you can’t find one easily call your local recycling program and say, “Where do I take stuff that you won’t” they’ll let you know. Mine takes prescription bottles, shoes, hardback books, butter tubs, plastic wrap, plastic packaging materials, bubble wrap, and tons of other items that curbside won’t.
And a few more ideas…
- Plastic lumber manufacturers like this one, tend to take most types of plastics as well so if there’s a plant near you you can try that.
- Certain medical missions accept used prescription bottles.
- Use them for storage of paper clips, buttons, kids glitter, and other small objects.
- Dip the ends in ink or paint for perfect circles in kids art projects.
What else can you think of?
One last tip. Although prescription bottles are the perfect size for small candies; don’t do this. It’s way too easy for kids to translate candy in a pill bottle to all things in bottles are candy. It’s a dangerous practice that I’ve seen some folks do; but really you shouldn’t.
This post is timely for me as I’m about to toss a Nexium bottle. I get my prescriptions through mail order (90-day supply for one co-pay). Not all insurances offer this, but if yours does, go for it — they fit three months of pills in one bottle. Plus, you don’t have to drive to the pharmacy.
Buying in bulk is one great idea for pills (if you can afford it). Obviously, not everyone will be able to but bulk buying is best for just about everything. Plus yes you save extra trips to the store. Thanks for all the ideas Peggy
Great tips.
Thanks Jennifer.
I looked at the bottom of my prescription bottle and it has a #5. My recycling center only accepts #1 and #2. I’ve heard of people actually mailing their higher number plastics to places that accept them, but I’m not sure I want to do that.
I might do as you suggest and ask my recycling center where to take the plastics with higher numbers. They’ve been very nice so far.
Why don’t you want to mail it in? The recycling center will help you out though.
We’re lucky enough to be able to recycle these, but I like to reuse the container a couple time first — they’re the perfect size for storing seeds collected from the garden (airtight and tinted to keep out sunlight, too).
Reusing anything as much as you can is a good idea. I was jaunting about the web and actually it seems like most places have some sort of recycling area for these bottles — it may not be curbside but there’s usually some way to get it done.
Another negative side to putting candy in pill bottles (less crucial than the reason you mentioned though) is the taste. Since I grew up on a missionary hospital compound overseas, we did get reused pill bottles sent over. Some people thought they would sweeten the deal and use up space by filling them with candy, but they all tasted like old medicine. Tons of M&Ms ruined, in a place where we couldn’t buy good ones. Tragic!
Also, I’ve started getting the mail-order 3-month prescriptions too, which is great because it only costs the same as 2-months’ worth.
Some churches collect the medicine bottles for non-profit organizations or missions trips. One time my church collected them for missions. They were going to use the bottles to distribute medicine overseas and the bottles would save them an extra expense. Just a thought of another place to recycle them.
On my recycle page I have recycled a prescription vial, bottle cap, buttons, fabric scraps and added embelishments into my coin purse. Works really well and I get loads of comments.
Nice pill bottles Barbara. Have you seen the pill bottles from Target? They’re slick and a totally different shape.
The Target pill bottles are different with a more modern look. I will have to try one. Thanks
We save the caps from the Target bottles for my son’s kindergarten class to count as they’re always looking for stuff to count…we use the regular orange bottle for pins, buttons, paper clips, etc…. I found a project online for a snowman ornament…just google snowman prescription bottle ornament.
yep. here’s the snowman ornament.
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/bottle-snowman.shtml
I’m looking for some (any) medical mission that will take several hundred empty amber, green, white prescription pill bottles. For that matter, is there any contact information for vetrinary or medical folks who’ll take these bottles. I’ll pay mailing costs.
You could look up missions on the web, or vet clinics in your area. This is not a global site, as in, I can’t say where in your community takes pill bottles. You could check Earth 911 – they can likely help.
Hello, I found out our local Free Clinic will take used prescription bottles, so I’ve been saving them and will take them a bag all at one time.
My husband and I both have alot of them, so it doesn’t take long, even when I do my best to consolidate them. We also use them for crafts, coins, nails, screws and whatever else we can find to use them for.