Pill bottles can be recycled many ways! Any bottles that have a 1 or 2 recycling designation can be put into regular home recycling. Most over the counter medication bottles and SOME prescription bottles are a 1 or 2. Most amber prescription bottles are unable to go into regular recycling, but they can be re-used!

CSPC collects pill bottles to donate to Matthew 25 Ministries, who sends them for re-use in countries where medical supplies are less available. You can read more about their ministries and processes here: https://m25m.org/pillbottles/

Please follow the instructions regarding preparing the bottles for re-use before donating them to CSPC. We want our donations to be able to be put to good use!

• All labels should be removed, leaving no glue or residue. Soaking in hot soapy water usually helps.
  
• All bottles and lids should be washed in very hot water and dish soap, rinsed, and dried thoroughly.
  
• Caps should be placed back onto clean, dried bottles.
  
• Clean, recapped bottles should be placed into large resealable bags marked “Clean Bottles.” These will be included in shipments of medical supplies.

–Erin Murphy 

PS: If you’re disposing old medication, check out this page on the FDA website for information on drug take-back programs and locations, what’s safe to flush, and what’s safe to trash. A little research goes a long way! https://www.fda.gov/drugs/safe-disposal-medicines/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know