9 Ways To Reuse A Prescription Pill Bottle
Many of us today, are on some kind of prescription. Some of us, are on several different kinds of pills we take on a daily basis. This adds up to millions of bottles a year at your average landfill. There are other ways we can use these handy little pill bottle long after our pills are gone.
Coin Holder:
One such use for a pill bottle is a coin holder. They are great for holding a decent amount of quarters for whatever you need them for the most. Perhaps going to the laundromat. Or using at a soda machine. Your old bottle will keep them clean and readily available in your car or pocket.
Key Holder:
Another handy item is a spare key holder. Too many people use the under the front mat so much that it is not much of a hiding place anymore. Glue a small piece of rock or other natural items to the top. Then place in a hole in your front yard, down far enough so your rock top blends in with others in your landscaping or yard. Make sure it is just unique enough so that it doesn’t make you forget where it is.
Need a step by step? Check out my post on a DIY Hide A Key – Made From RX Bottle.
Q-Tip Holder:
A good use for people on the go is a Q-Tip holder. Sometimes after the morning shower, you can be in quite a hurry to get out the door and get to work. This can be a handy thing to have in the car when you realize later on you forgot your daily ear cleaning. It keeps them dry and clean also.
Toothpick Holder:
If you are someone who is prone to getting food stuck in your teeth often, it can be a handy portable toothpick holder. You may also want to make a small hole in the cap to have an easy dispenser.
First Aid Kit:
Something also for people on the go is a makeshift first aid kit. Depending on the size of your pill bottle, you can put a decent amount of bandages and perhaps even some antiseptic stick for small cuts.
Earbud Holder:
For those who like their music on the go, it can be a handy earbud holder. Whether going for a run or to the gym, storing your earbuds in a pill bottle will keep them from tangling with other wires or items in your car.
You can even dress it up and make it into a keychain. Check out my post on Pill Bottle Upcycled To Earbud Case.
Candy Holder:
If you are someone with a sweet tooth, it can be a small candy holder. Just the right size for that quick sweet treat just when you need it. You have to be careful though not to use it for this in front of small children so that they don’t confuse prescription pills with candy sweets.
Razor Blade Holder:
If you are someone who uses razor blades often. Perhaps for cleaning windows, it can perfect for safely disposing of your dull blades without leaving them out causing potential harm to yourself or others. When it’s full, throw it away.
Sewing Kit:
You may have a need for a quick stitch from time to time. An old prescription bottle can be used as a portable sewing kit. A larger bottle should be able to even hold some small spools of thread along with an assortment of needles. Perhaps even a small folding ruler and a button or two.
We all have so many items all around us that can be used for another purpose. You may personally find a use for your pill bottle that is not listed here. Chances are you have some around your house now. Try some of these uses yourself or invent some great ideas to reuse this very common handy item.
Jewellz says
I’ve actually used my pill bottles for the 9 ways listed and sooooo many more creative ways like for hardware (nails, screws, ect.), acrylic paints, hair clips, bobby pins and hair bands. These are just a few more to add to your list. ENJOY!!
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Oh those are some great ways to reuse a pill bottle! Thanks for sharing!
Lisa says
I use old pill bottles to keep my full bobbins in when sewing.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
So smart Lisa! I think I am going to try that too as I have a bunch of bobbins kicking around.
Anonymous says
I am a bow hunter. I use pill bottles to store my broad heads in… they are very sharp and I like to keep them safe in used pill bottles.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Good idea!
Nancy says
I like to use an empty pill bottle to carry extra Tums in my purse. Once in a while I have trouble with acid reflux and these help so much, even when I am not home. I am so thankful I thought about this quite a while back!
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
That is a great idea Nancy! I just may have to start doing that as I too have trouble with acid reflux.
Char says
I do the same thing! They stack nice and they don’t take up much room,
Ellen T. says
I always put different sizes of nails and screws in bottles. Mix acrylic paint colors to keep in bottle for few days. Thanks for sharing.
Kim says
You can decorate the bottles with decorative tape. Then it doesn’t look like a pill bottle to young children!!
Anonymous says
I use pill bottles to hold lighters and matches. It helps prevent my kids from playing with them.
Joni says
What a great idea 💡.
MaryG says
I glue a sticker on the bottom of a pill bottle, then fill it with stick matches.
Robin says
Safety pins, push pins, paper clips
Jo says
Use an ice pick warmed over stove to punch a hole in the lid of the pill bottle so that you can drop in your old sewing machine and hand needles.
I sometimes also use an old pimento jar to store old rotary blades also,
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
What a smart idea Jo! Thanks for sharing.
Claudia says
How do you get the labels off?
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Hi Claudia, you can peel what you can off. Then for the rest, you can either use something like vinegar or GooGone to take off what is left.
Jane J. says
You can also make a paste of oil (canola, olive what ever you have on hand.) Then add baking soda till it makes a paste. Rub this where the sticky label used to be. Then wash with soap and hot water. All the sticky will be gone. I actually keep a supply of this in a pill bottle, since it has a good lid and will not go bad.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Thanks, Jane for the tip! I will have to give it a try.
June h. says
Have used a hint from someone, a thin coat of peanut butter on the glue left on bottles ECT and let it set even all night and it wipes off easy!
Stephanie says
If you throw the bottle in the freezer before you start, for about 30 min to hour, the entire label will peel right off
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Thanks for the tip Stephanie!
April says
Put in the freezer for a few mins and they just peel right off.
Grandy P. says
Rub a bit of oil (vegetable, baby, mineral oil — any kind) over the label and let is sit overnight and the label will practically fall off with no residue except the oil.
Anonymous says
Chair blowdryer, heat label, it should peel off
Lyndsey H. says
If you use a hair dryer for 30 seconds on the label the heat can release the label if it’s stuck and peel it right off works with any label.
Cheryl says
I just pick a corner and when it comes up enough to grab it, you can peel it right off.
Brenda L. C. says
Works on some labels but not all.
Depends from which pharmacy.
My husbands pharmacy – they come off. But my pharmacy. Nope.
Go figure. Different labels I guess.
Vonda says
Pull off easy use mine for saving flower seeds
Brenda L. C. says
I do too !
Andree says
Buy your favorite powdered sweetener loose in jars, instead of in the expensive individual packets. Pour the sweetener into a pill container to carry in your purse. When needed, just take out the container and sprinkle what you need.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
I have never thought of using a pill bottle for sweeteners, what a great idea! Thanks for sharing Andree.
Aubrey says
My sister did this (let me add she’s quite young 24, might not happen if your older) and she got pulled over for speeding and the officer saw this and detained here for over an hour because he thought it was drugs!! She begged them to just taste it but they insisted on testing it, then still emptied it and told her to not use an empty pill bottle for such a purpose!! It was just Equil because she’s diabetic. They told her to just “save” packets from the gas station!
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
That is so crazy!!
Paul says
I was just about to say the same thing. Any powder or pills in a container in your vehicle or on your person can be highly questionable.
Brenda L. C. says
🙄😢
Kay says
Store flower seeds in for next year or veggie seeds.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
I love that idea Kay! Thanks for sharing.
Sabrina says
I carry single-use dental floss picks in a pill bottle in my purse for those times I’m out to lunch with friends and need a quick touch up between the teeth to continue my day. I put another pill bottle with the dental picks in my lunch bag when I’m carrying my lunch.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Floss is a great idea!
Graciela P. says
Have a big empty pill container? Take it to the beach and on hikes. Great for small shells, sea glass, smooth stones… You get the idea.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Great idea!
Kathy says
I already do that. Pill bottles are great for Q-tips and floss sticks and traveling. It is so easy to use these items when I travel.
Brenda L. C. says
Oh wow. Yes. Great idea. I always must have dental floss picks as I have issue with food sticking between my tight teeth. lol.
Drives me crazy and I have to clean them but I am always searching through the purse to find it. Pill bottle is a great idea. Thanks !
Anniston says
When I go on overnight stays I put enough for one cup of coffee so I can brew my own coffee . And in another I put my cream and sugar . JUst the right size .
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
What a good idea! I am a coffee lover and often do not care for hotel brand coffee. Will have to start packing some in a pill bottle and toss it in my bags.
Lisa says
Best idea on reusing something!!!! Genius.
Jeanie says
As an avid fisherman (woman, really), I put fish hooks in pill bottles. Make sure the eye of the hook goes in first and you’ll be able to pull out one hook rather than a bunch of tangled hooks. Bottles are slso good for keeping individual treble hooked lures.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
What a great way to reuse pill bottles! Thanks for sharing.
Barbara says
I use them for my spice mixes and label them for favorite dish. Saves time.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Smart thinking Barbara!
patty says
I donate all my pill bottles. I remove the labels, Then I donate them to Compassionate warehouse. The Doctors without borders get pills in large containers. So they appreciate the pill bottles to give dosages by small quantities. The paper envelopes they were using did not stand up to the humid climates many work in..
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
I never even thought of that Patty! That is a great idea. I will have to look around and see if we have a donation place around us that does that.
Heather Best says
How do I donate to this? I hate just throwing them in a recycling bin. Would love to do this instead. Thanks in advance.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Not sure where you are Heather, but it looks like the place Patty said she gives her bottles to is in Canada. This one looks like they are in the US and looking for donations. https://earth911.com/inspire/diy/reuse-pill-bottles/
Anonymous says
Humane Societies that have Vet care available can reuse them for pills they give to pets .
Anonymous says
Awesome idea
April says
Do you have a and address for this to donate? I use to send to Africa for this. I also put in operation Christmas child boxes w/ nails and and a hammer. Thanks!
Linda says
Patty,
Do you have a address where they can be sent?
Eva says
Love this idea! I’m going to do this!!
Thanks
Robin Peters says
I use them to measure out laundry detergent. The included cup is much too large for measuring the soap.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Never thought of that Robin, thanks for sharing!
Donna says
I use them as durable mini jewelry cases for my gym bag or travel bag.
My husband uses them to keep miscellaneous screws, nails, bolts, etc sorted in his workshop.
It is ideal because it is see-through.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Thanks for sharing Donna! Those are some really great ideas!
Tina says
I use them for beads great for keeping colors separate .
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
What a great idea to keep craft supplies organized Tina!
Darlene says
I put odd coloured and sized buttons in there with threaded needles all set to use. You never know when your going to lose a button and must replace it from an embarrassing place on your clothes. And manicure scissors fit in a large bottle.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
That is a great idea, Darlene!
Kareing4 says
These are wonderful ideas. I also use them for emergency prepping, as example, keep salt packages or pepper packets dry and organized in emergency bag. As well one pill bottle ,a larger one as a fishing kit, filled with a few hooks, leaders, fishing line wrapped around piece of cardboard, ,tiny bobber, or to keep matches corralled and dry in the emergency bag
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Yes, they make wonderful ways to pack small items and kits to help keep them organized.
Las says
I keep my small bottles of essential oils in them. It keeps them from mixing the scents and keeps inevitable leaks in check when traveling.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Oh that is a wonderful idea!
April says
Great idea when traveling! I’ve had them leak! Thanks!
Cindy says
I really like the idea of sending these bottles for charity. I will now save them . I did get the address for one:
Matthew 25: Ministries
11060 Kenwood Rd.
Cincinnati, OH
45242
I do lots in repurposing the little bottles most are all the ideas that were shared. Great ideas!!
Lynn R. says
When travelling, I carry my sample size glass bottles of perfume in one. No chance of leakage or breakage and I have a choice of fragrances.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Smart thinking, I hate when I have stuff that spills all over my bag.
JVZ says
I found out that the vet here will take our empty bottles to use for meds for dogs and cats that come in for treatment.
Patricia says
I use them in the bottom of planter pots, so I don’t have to use so much potting soil.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
That is a good idea!
Julie says
I found using milk jugs or pop bottles work better as when filled with water it can stabilize the tall pots. Plus at end of year you can still recycle them. I donate my old clean pill bottles to my Vet.
Anonymous says
do NOT use for candy!!! Can confuse and endanger children, who will think that the bottles are made for candy and then take medications.
Brenda L. C. says
Children should not be able to open them. All my pill bottles are child proof. As long as we put the lid back on properly.
Carol K. says
I keep one by my sewing machine, when I need to throw away a needle I put it in the pill bottle. When full I can throw in the trash without anyone getting stuck with a needle. I even put pins, hand sewing needles in also, if they are rusty or bent, broken, etc.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Smart idea!
Lynett says
At our church we put cleaned pill bottles in a basket under the holy water font. People can take a sample of the holy water home.
Alisa says
I keep safety pins in them in the bathroom because they used to rust otherwise.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Great idea!
Jean says
I use them to keep my toilet clean. Use a matche heated darning needle to poke a hole in the bottom, fill it with a dish detergent, put the lid on and hang it with floral wire just touching into the water in the toilet tank. It won’t hurt your mechanicals and so won’t void your warrantee. Every flush cleans tank and toilet.. Just swish the toilet bowl once or twice a week. Refill as needed per your family needs. I use the largest size pill bottle I have.
Ann M. says
I give mine to the local food bank. They use them for shampoo For the homeless.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
What a great idea Ann! Never thought of that. I may give that a try when I make up my Pay It Forward Bags.
Sonya T. says
I use empty pill bottles for many different things but one I didn’t see mentioned is that I make my own “carry-on” size travel essentials in them. I put shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, shave gel etc into its own bottle and mark clearly what each item is with either a small sticker or a sharpie and then place them all in a zip top bag. They meet the FAA 4oz or less rule and since they are in my carry-on; I know they will get to my destination with me.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Thanks for sharing Sonya!
YP says
We use ours to hold sunscreen on our shorter hikes & in our cars or purses “just in case.”
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Smart idea!
BE says
I carry an empty pill bottle in my purse to dispose of gum, dental floss, tissues.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
That is a great idea! Never thought to use it for that.
Aubrey says
I do the same with used gum. I’m a smoker, so I also use them to throw out my cigarette butts. I glued a cotton ball to the lid and added peppermint oil to keep the nasty smell away.
Bruce C. says
Awesome idea for places with no appropriate place to dispose of cigarette butts!
Julie says
I’m a PreK teacher and use them to store little things, like googly eyes, confetti, pony beads (1 color per bottle), glue sticks, paper clips, rubberbands, etc. SO many uses.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Those are great ways to reuse them, Julie. They really are a handy little item to have around.
Lisa says
I just painted a pill bottle and lid entirely black with acrylic paint, reused a milk jug cutting it to make the wings and paint the wings black. Glued wings to pill bottle. Painted yellow eyes on pill bottle lid. Used fishing line through the cap lock on bottle and hung it up as a bat decoration for Halloween.
Deborah says
I gave some to the Boy Scouts for Fishing gear for when they camp out. I use ours all ways. You can even put spices in them as well.
Joan W. says
Loved all the ideas for use for pill bottles. I have used some of these ideas and have some new ones to try. Thanks Joan
Joni says
I like to keep my USB stick in a pill bottle to keep it clean. I also add a packet of silicone beads to absorb any moisture.
Marsha says
Reuse pill bottles for camping or emergency go bags:
Carry at least 3 days of your medications.
Glue of piece of sandpaper to the top of the pill bottle and fill with wood matches.
Fill with vaseline. Use on minor scrapes, cuts and burns. Also use as a fire starter.
Place a USB flash drive. stored with copies of important documents (birth/marriage certificates, passports,
lists of contacts and bank accounts, health directives/wills, pictures,etc)in bottle to keep dry.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
These are all great tips, Marsha! Thanks for sharing!
Misty M says
I have used my old pill bottles in many ways mentioned. One cool idea that I didn’t see is if you have the type of bottle lids that have both outer threads and the child proof threads on the opposite side, you can screw two bottles together using just one lid. I do this for camping…think salt & pepper, shampoo & conditioner, first aid items, etc.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
What a cool idea! Never thought to do that, thank you for sharing.
Ashley says
I use mine for painting. I paint crafts a lot so buy larger bottles of paint and just put small amounts in the pill bottles. Also I mix colors to make a special color and put that in pill bottles. I have tons of pill bottles filled with paints in my craft boxes.
Ashley says
They’re also good for mica powders that come in the little bags.
Mel D. says
I use small pill bottles to organise my small beads. I glue one of the beads to the top of the container.
I also donate empty supplement bottles to my vet.
Helen Q. says
we have a dice game where we play for pennies and i keep my pennies in one i decorated
Bobbi says
Give my empty pill bottles to my church. They make sewing kits for the women and fishing hooks and pc of line for men of the mission groups in El Salvador.
Anonymous says
Oh wow! Great ideas. Thank you. God bless you and your family.
Ann L says
I like to use mine by making them bases for little crochet mushrooms or stuffed animals to make little tiny piggy banks for gifting. I have a bunch that I haven’t used yet, and I’ll definitely be incorporating some of the ways you suggested. Thank you!