It’s a fantastic example of turning everyday waste into something useful and creative. That lady, and many others since, have come up with a whole host of brilliant ways to repurpose those little plastic pill bottles.
Here are some of the most clever and practical ideas for giving old pill bottles a new life:
For the Home & Organization
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Travel-Sized Toiletries: Perfect for lotion, shampoo, face cream, or even a dab of laundry detergent. They are leak-proof and TSA-friendly.
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Small Parts Organizer: Keep screws, nails, pushpins, beads, seeds, or buttons sorted and contained. You can even glue the lids to the underside of a shelf and screw the bottles into them for storage.
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Q-Tip & Cotton Ball Dispenser: Simply pop a few holes in the lid for a hygienic and convenient bathroom organizer.
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Emergency Candle: Fill the bottle with wax and a wick for a small, durable emergency candle for your car or camping kit.
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Spice Jars for Lunches or Travel: Pre-measure spices for a recipe or take your favorite seasoning to work. Label them clearly!
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Pencil Shavings Catcher: Keep a small one in your pencil case to avoid messy shavings all over the desk.
For Crafts & Hobbies
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Mini Paint Palette: Squirt small amounts of acrylic paint into the bottle for a project, or use the lid itself as a tiny palette.
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Bead & Jewelry-Making Supply Holder: Keep different types of beads, clasps, and headpins separate and spill-proof.
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Embroidery Floss Bobbins: Wind different colors of thread around the outside of the bottle and secure the end under the rim of the lid.
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Glitter Containers: The secure lid is a craft-lover’s dream for containing the “crafting herpes” that is glitter.
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Stamp Pad Ink Refresher: Place a saturated sponge inside the bottle, and you have a mini ink pad for small stamps.
For On-the-Go & Travel
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Pill Fob (Ironically): Use a clean, old bottle to carry a dose or two of medication for the day, keeping your large prescription bottle at home.
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Pocket Ashtray: For hikers and campers who practice “Leave No Trace,” a metal pill bottle can hold cigarette butts until they can be properly disposed of.
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Tiny First-Aid Kit: Stock it with bandaids, antiseptic wipes, a few safety pins, and a single-dose of pain reliever.
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Earbud & Cable Keeper: Prevent tangles by wrapping earbuds or small charging cables inside.
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Mini Survival Kit: Fill it with waterproof matches, a small compass, a fishing hook, and line for your backpack or car.
For the Great Outdoors & Garden
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Seed Storage: They are perfect for keeping different types of seeds dry, organized, and labeled for the next planting season.
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Fire Starter Kit: Fill a bottle with cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly. They are lightweight, waterproof, and will catch a spark easily.
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Mini Watering Can for Seedlings: Poke a few small holes in the lid to create a gentle sprinkler for delicate plants.
Important Safety Note:
Before reusing any prescription pill bottle, it’s crucial to thoroughly clean it and remove or completely obscure all personal labels. Soak the bottle and lid in soapy water, peel off the old label, and use Goo Gone or rubbing alcohol to remove any adhesive residue. For your privacy and safety, never reuse a bottle that still has someone’s prescription information visible.
So, next time you go to toss an empty pill bottle, remember it’s not just trash—it’s a tiny, waterproof, durable container waiting for its next act