Can you recycle pill bottles? Yes. Here is what to do with empty prescription bottles.

Before you think about recycling medicine and pill bottles, you have to consider the possibility of reprocessing them. Keep reading this article.

We’ll provide details on recycling medicine and pill bottles near me. But before moving further, let’s check the possibility of recycling this plastic material.

Here is what to do with pill bottles.

Recycling Empty Pill Bottles Near Me

Each year, about 4.3 billion retail prescriptions are filled in the country.

While some people throw open medicine or pill bottles after consumption, others find a way to repurpose them. But have you considered the option of recycling such bottles?

Recycling pill bottles come with many benefit. Firstly, these articles will be kept out of landfills and reduce the production rate of raw materials.

It will also keep the environment healthy and conducive to human and wildlife habitation.

  • Is It Possible to Recycle Empty Medication Bottles?

The response to this question is quite complicated.

Given that, not all curbside recycling programs accept these plastic bottles. This is because pill bottles, particularly the orange, are made of polypropylene (resin code #5).

As such, it makes them non-biodegradable.

Most recyclable medication bottles have codes ranging from #1-#7. This means that they’re biodegradable.

Meanwhile, the fact that some recyclers don’t accept pill bottles doesn’t mean reprocessing them is impossible. We have some facilities that specifically recycle pill bottles. But it would be best if you met certain conditions.

Again, you’ll need to clarify if they accept such bottles through curbside pick-up or drop-off.

How Can Medicine and Pill Bottles be Recycled?

There’re primarily two ways you can recycle empty medicine and pill bottles. These include repurposing and shredding used pill bottles.

Let’s take a look at them individually.

Repurposing Your Empty Pill Bottles

You can repurpose your old medication bottles in different ways. First off, you can use them to store a few play materials that are littering your home.

This includes dice, crayons, bubble solutions, action figures, etc. you can also utilize your empty medicine bottles as LED bulbs by passing circuits and bottles through them.

Other people make it their sewing kit to store their needles, pinks, thread, buttons, and safety pins. What’s more, you can equally make it a mini survival kit. You can keep necessary matchsticks, coins, boating, and more.

Shredding Used Medication Bottles

This is another effective way of recycling waste medication bottles.

The process involves using an industrial shredder machine to produce recyclable materials. Plastic reprocessing industries use them to recreate reusable articles.

However, shredding empty medicine and pill bottles comes with several benefits.

First, it guarantees that the sensitive information on the bottles is scraped off. Secondly, it prevents the bottles from littering the environment, unethical usage, or unsafe uses.

Should I Flush My Old Medication Bottles?

No! FDA doesn’t support people flushing plastic prescriptions down the toilet or dump down the drain.

They are concerned about environmental damage, as this waste can contaminate surface water. Thus, throwing medication bottles in household/community trash would be best.

You can call a plastic recycling program or pharmacy store if you’re uncomfortable discarding empty medicine bottles in community trash.

Most of them have programs that cover unused or expired medications.

More so, you can wait for the “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” and dispose of your waste pill bottles. It’s a day when the community will team up with law enforcement to provide take-back plastic waste.

This program is organized each year.

Places You Can Take Pill Bottles for Reprocessing

Besides pharmaceutical reconciliation programs, you can also contact some collectors for your pill bottle recycling needs. These include Mathew 25: Ministries, recycling centers, Gimme 5, and more.

Allow us to review these collectors.

  • Mathew 25: Ministries

This is a renowned collector you can rely on.

It’s an international humanitarian organization. They accept empty medication bottles of varying kinds for shipment of medical supplies, shredding, and recycling.

Thus, you can contact them for pick-up if you have a prescription and over-the-counter pill bottles or medication bottles without secure caps.

  • Recycling Centers

Many recycling centers in the country accept #5 plastics for reprocessing. Such facilities include Accel Polymers LLC, ACE plastic Inc, B&B Plastic Inc, and more.

You can take your pill bottles for recycling at any of these facilities. However, if you’re not confident about finding a plastic reprocessing center near you, google locator can help you get one.

  • Gimme 5

This is another efficient way of recycling empty pill bottles. Gimme 5 is a reprocessing program run by “Preserve.”

They are into the production of utility items for consumers using plastic waste. A few of their things include a toothbrush, yogurt cups, and more.

Gimme 5 don’t charge extra cost for hauling your plastic bottles to their facility. This is one of the things that sets them apart from other recyclers.

Is It Safe to Use Medicine Bottles to Create Art Pieces?

Oh yes! It’s very safe to use such bottles for your art production. But you have to clean the bottles thoroughly.

Medicine and pill bottles carry remains of substances that can be harmful to kids and adults alike. Remember, they contain medications for various ailments.

Guidelines for Preparing Medication Bottles for Reprocessing

As mentioned earlier, most reprocessing programs have specific standards for accepting pill bottles. To prepare your medication bottles for shipment appropriately, ensure your bottles have lids.

After that, you sort out the bottles according to color and type. Also, use hot water and dish soap to wash the bottles. Then rinse thoroughly and dry.

What to Keep in Mind When Recycling Pill Bottles

There’re a few security tips you need to keep in mind when recycling medicine and pill bottles.

First, remove the prescription labels from your bottles, as highlighted above. Most medication containers carry sensitive PHI. You may not want your sensitive personal information to fall into the hands of crooks.

You’ve seen the possibility of recycling empty medication bottles. You can repurpose pill bottles to avoid taking them to the reprocessing center.

That way, you can promote a healthy environment.