It’s a common sight in many households: a plethora of empty old pill bottles accumulating in medicine cabinets, drawers, and cupboards. These small plastic containers, often brightly colored and equipped with child-resistant caps, appear to be destined for the trash once the medication is used up.
However, the growing need for sustainable living and recycling has led creative minds to find innovative ways to repurpose these ubiquitous items. Instead of throwing them away, many individuals are discovering that pill bottles, with their small size and durability, can be incredibly versatile and useful.
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One woman’s ingenious use of old pill bottles has sparked a wave of crafty enthusiasm:
1. Travel-Sized Toiletry Container
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Pill bottles are perfect for holding small amounts of toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, or sunscreen. Their secure lids help prevent leaks, and they fit easily into carry-on bags or luggage.
Steps:
Wash and dry the bottle thoroughly.
Pour your desired product inside.
Label the bottle with the product name using a waterproof marker or sticker.
2. Mini First Aid Kit

Turn a pill bottle into a portable first aid kit. It’s small enough to fit in your car’s glove compartment, purse, or backpack, yet large enough to hold basic supplies.
Supplies to Include:
Band-aids
Alcohol wipes
Cotton balls or swabs
Small packets of pain relievers
A few safety pins
3. Storage for Small Craft Supplies
If you love crafting, pill bottles are excellent for storing small items like beads, buttons, or sequins. They keep things organized and prevent clutter in your craft room.
Instructions:
Wash the bottles.
Fill each one with a different type of craft item.
Label the bottles for easy identification.
4. Portable Sewing Kit
Keep a mini sewing kit in your purse or desk drawer by repurposing a pill bottle. It’s great for quick fixes when you’re on the go.
What to Include:
A couple of needles
A few colors of thread wrapped around a small piece of cardboard
Buttons
Safety pins
5. Spare Change Holder

Use old pill bottles to collect spare change. Their compact size makes them ideal for keeping in your car’s cup holder or by the front door. Once full, you can transfer the coins to a larger container or take them to a coin exchange machine.
6. Matchstick Holder

Keep matchsticks dry and protected by storing them in a pill bottle, especially when camping or hiking.
DIY Tip:
Place a small piece of sandpaper inside the lid to strike the matches against.
7. Mini Waterproof Storage for Valuables
If you’re going to the beach or doing an outdoor activity where your valuables might get wet, pill bottles can serve as waterproof containers for storing things like cash, jewelry, or keys.
DIY Steps:
Test the bottle by submerging it in water to ensure it’s watertight.
Place your valuables inside, and you’re ready to go!
8. Seed Storage
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Gardeners can use old pill bottles to store seeds for future planting. The opaque bottles will help keep light away, preserving the seeds for longer.
Instructions:
Dry the seeds thoroughly before placing them in the bottle.
Label the bottle with the plant name and the date the seeds were harvested.
9. Earbud Storage Case
Tired of losing or tangling your earbuds? An old pill bottle makes a great case to store them safely in your bag or pocket.
Instructions:
Gently wind your earbuds around two fingers and slide them into the bottle.
Close the lid to protect the earbuds from dirt or damage.
10. DIY Fire Starter
If you’re a camper or hiker, a pill bottle can become a compact fire starter kit. Fill it with cotton balls or dryer lint, and add some petroleum jelly to make the material highly flammable.
Steps:
Coat cotton balls or lint with petroleum jelly.
Pack them tightly into the pill bottle.
Use them as tinder to easily start a fire when you’re outdoors.
Additional Tips for Repurposing Pill Bottles:
Always clean the bottles thoroughly to remove any medicine residue before using them for a new purpose.

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Label each bottle, especially if you have multiple repurposed bottles for different uses.
If you’re using the bottles for food-related storage (like spices), consider using a food-safe liner to prevent contamination.