Even as a young boy, I enjoy recycling all kinds of things. I have repurposed paper towel rolls, toilette paper rolls, plastic coffee containers and more but I have never considered recycling or reusing/repurposing empty pill containers. When I found the article below, it got my attention. The article was written by Jessica Shields in March of 2023. Jessica Shields writes for How Stuff Works.
Over 64 percent of Americans take one or more prescription drugs. From antibiotics to antidepressants, 4.7 billion prescriptions were dispensed in 2022.
Pill containers are usually made of number five plastic (polypropylene, or PP), which is what yogurt containers, and many reusable food-safe containers are made of. You can tell if you're dealing with a number five recyclable plastic by looking at the bottom of the container for the chasing arrows with the number 5 in the middle.
These plastics also take years to break down in the environment, and as they age, they release toxic chemicals and methane, a dangerous greenhouse gas into the environment.
So, if you're one of the millions of people who have empty pill bottles lying around your house, you might be wondering what to do with them. Of course, in some cases, you can recycle them — some cities have curbside recycling programs that accept number five plastics. But you can also reuse these sturdy, airtight containers in your everyday life.
Here are 15 uses for your used pill bottles:
1. Child-proof Container
One great thing about pill bottles is that they were specifically designed to keep little kids out. That means you can fill them with things you want to make it difficult for kids to get to — razor blades, thumb tacks, supplements or even your secret glove compartment stash of M&Ms.
2. Seed Storage
Another great aspect of pill bottles is that they're designed to keep prescription drugs dry. If you're a gardener, these containers make great, moisture-proof storage containers so your dried seeds can overwinter in a place where they won't be likely to rot. Consider pill containers for any small stuff you want to keep dry.
3. Hair Accessory Storage
Bobby pins, barrettes and hair ties are things that tend to get scattered all around your house, your car and your handbag. All these little hair doodads are exactly the right size for a pill bottle, and that means you don't necessarily have to live amongst a pile of discarded barrettes and hair ties anymore.
4. Cash Stash Holder
Pill bottles are discreet and tinted, and can be stashed in any little hideyhole. U.S. quarters are the perfect diameter to fit into a normal prescription bottle, so you can always have a supply for a parking meter, a vending machine or the laundromat. If you want to stuff a rolled-up wad of cash in a pill bottle, that will fit, too.
5. Hide-a-key
The key to your front door will fit in a prescription bottle hidden in nooks and crannies around the outside of your house. If you want to get really fancy, you can hot glue a small rock to the lid of the bottle and bury it in the landscaping somewhere inconspicuous. Who says you need to buy a key hiding rock?
6. Travel Toiletry Bottles
If you need to carry a liquid, paste or gel in your airplane carry-on, current TSA regulations require they be in a container that carries 3.4 ounces (100.6 milliliters) or less. A standard prescription pill bottle will usually hold enough shampoo, peanut butter or moisturizer to get you through TSA and your vacation.
7. Survival Kit
Nobody's planning to get lost in the woods, even briefly, but sometimes your phone battery runs out and you have to get yourself to safety. A pill bottle survival kit can be thrown into a daypack and could come in handy. Stuff it with a button compass, needle and thread, some Band-Aids, a few matches and a razor blade. Wind three-stranded twine or duct tape around the outside of the bottle.
Joe Mojica
Laer Realty Partners
Mobile: 561-431-4069
Office: 772-207-7669
Email: Flproperties@joemojica.com
Serving the Beautiful & Rich Treasure Coast of South Florida
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