Can you recycle pill bottles?

🗑️ LandfillUsually not curbside — they're small #5 plastic. Check your program.

Prescription pill bottles are made of #5 polypropylene, which is technically recyclable — but they're usually too small for curbside sorting (they and their caps fall through the machines, and many programs won't take anything under ~3 inches). So in most cities they go in the trash, unless your program specifically accepts small #5 containers.

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Remove the label first

Your prescription label has your name, address, and medication on it — peel or scratch it off before recycling or tossing the bottle, for your privacy. This matters whichever bin it ends up in.

Where they can be recycled

Some cities do accept #5 bottles with the cap ON (so it doesn't fall through). A few pharmacies and mail-in programs (for example Preserve's Gimme 5) collect #5 plastics including pill bottles. Larger vitamin/supplement bottles are more likely to be accepted curbside than tiny Rx vials.

Reuse is great here

Clean pill bottles are handy for small parts, beads, travel toiletries, or first-aid kits — and some free clinics and animal shelters accept clean, label-free bottles. Reuse beats both recycling and trash.

Pill Bottles — quick FAQ

Can you recycle prescription pill bottles?
They're #5 plastic and technically recyclable, but usually too small for curbside sorting — in most cities they go in the trash. Check whether your program takes small #5 containers, and always remove the label first.
Should I remove the label from a pill bottle?
Yes — the label has your personal and medical information. Peel or scratch it off before you recycle, reuse, or throw the bottle away.
Are the caps recyclable?
The cap is also #5. Leaving it screwed onto the bottle helps it survive sorting where #5 is accepted; loose caps are too small and fall through.
What can I do with empty pill bottles besides recycle?
Reuse them for small parts or travel items, or donate clean, label-free bottles where a local clinic or shelter collects them.

Related

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Not sure about something else? Point your camera at it and RecycleLens tells you the right bin.