When I visited my friend’s house recently, I found a surprising number of empty pill bottles. It’s understandable since she needs to take a lot of medicine due to her condition. I was relieved to see that she hadn’t just thrown them away, which would worsen our plastic pollution issue. However, the sheer quantity of empty bottles was quite astonishing to me.
She was aware that there were ways to upcycle or repurpose her bottles but never got around to it. That’s why I took it upon myself to find creative ways to give her stash a new life. I’m excited to share my discoveries with everyone!
Hide a Key
Leaving a spare key in common hiding spots like the mailbox or under the welcome mat is too risky since burglars often check there first. If you’re concerned about locking yourself out (we’ve all been there!), a clever alternative is to hide a spare key inside a pill bottle with a rock glued to the lid. This way, it’s discreet and unlikely to be discovered. Just remember which rock to look for when you need it!
Candle Holder
You can create a beautiful candle holder by painting and gluing together bottles of various heights and shapes. When paired with tealight candles, it becomes a stunning centerpiece. You’d never guess its humble origins!
Makeup Organizer
The size of prescription pill bottles makes them ideal for storing your beauty products and tools, such as brushes, eyeliners, and mascara. This clever trick helps keep your dresser neat and organized.
Love Prescription
Here’s a sweet and fun idea for Valentine’s Day or whenever you want to bring a smile to your partner or close friend. Fill a bottle with their favorite candy and write a humorous “prescription” for them.
Jewelry Holder
When traveling or staying over at a friend’s, use one of these containers to keep your small rings and earrings safe. I tend to overpack jewelry because I like to be prepared; perhaps this tip will lighten the load!
Piping Tip Organizer
Here’s a tip for all you bakers out there. Piping tips can be a bit pricey, so it’s important to keep them safe and organized. I really like this idea because you can number them on the lids to easily identify each one.
Fire Starter
When you’re camping or hiking in the woods, prepare an excellent fire starter by stuffing some cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly into an empty pill bottle. Just remember not to burn the pill bottle itself, as burning plastic harms the environment.
Travel-Sized Shampoo
When you’re traveling or camping, save space in your bag by filling up empty pill bottles with shampoo, conditioner, or lotion instead of carrying large bottles. It’s a clever way to pack efficiently!
Cotton Swab Container
Q-tips, or cotton swabs, fit perfectly into a regular-sized prescription pill bottle; it seems like such an obvious match! This is great for traveling, or even just keeping around the house in each of the bathrooms.
Rainbow Crayons
If you have a young child, you probably have a collection of broken crayons – their thin shape makes them prone to snapping in little hands. Rather than tossing those broken pieces, melt them into a pill box to create colorful rainbow crayons that are easier for your little ones to grip and use.
Portable Sewing Kit
My friend’s mini sewing kit in her handbag has come to my rescue several times. I used to tease her about it, but now I’m considering making one to keep in my car’s glove compartment. You never know when you might need thread, needles, pins, safety pins, or buttons!
Bobby Pin Storage
As with many women, I’ve likely purchased countless bobby pins over the years, yet I only seem to have a handful at home currently. Prevent them from disappearing by storing them in an empty bottle, which is also convenient for keeping in your handbag.
Survival Kit
None of us want to imagine getting lost in the woods, but for those who frequently enjoy outdoor activities, this compact kit could be a lifesaver, or at the very least, prevent discomfort or infection. I’m genuinely impressed by how much can fit into such a small bottle!
“Bamboo” Vase
I adore this project because it showcases people’s creativity; who would’ve imagined that stacking empty pill bottles could create such a cool bamboo-like vase?
I recommend giving it a paint job to enhance its realism.
Credit – MichLInLA
Center Pull Yarn Ball
Here’s a money-saving tip for knitters and crocheters: Instead of buying an expensive ball winder, use an empty pill bottle to wrap your yarn around. This technique helps create the center gap you need. It’s a real game-changer!
Credit – IAlwaysPickTheThimble
Snowman
Transform your empty bottles into adorable snowmen for the holiday season! This fun craft is perfect for getting the kids involved. You can display them on your mantelpiece, in the kids’ rooms, or even hang them from the tree.
Credit – CraftingAGreenWorld
Vitamin Packs
Personally, I’m not big on taking lots of vitamins and supplements, but I know many people find them beneficial. When traveling, instead of hauling around bulky bottles, simply repurpose your empty pill bottles for their original purpose: carrying pills! It’s a simple and practical solution.
Credit – TheBeautyBlog
Light Garland
If you have several empty pill bottles lying around, you can achieve a softer amber glow for your LED string lights by using orange pill bottles or mini lamp shades. If you prefer a more discreet look and want to conceal their true identity, remove the lids and cover them with decorations like small craft flowers or butterflies.
Nail Polish Removal
If you’re rushing to remove chipped nail polish before heading to work, repurpose your old pill bottle into a convenient solution. Fill it with cotton balls soaked in nail polish remover. Simply dip each finger in and twist to quickly clean off the polish.
Credit – WhoKnew?Tips
Coin Holder
When it comes to coins, I can’t even begin to count how much money I’ve lost over the years. It’s probably a significant sum that could have been spent on something amazing. Instead of letting coins disappear into the depths of your handbag, couch, or car seats, utilize a perfectly-sized empty pill bottle to keep them organized and accessible.
Credit – WDWPrepSchool
Child Proof Container
Because these bottles come with a convenient child-proof feature, they are ideal storage containers for items you wouldn’t want children to access, such as sharp pins, beads, or any small objects that could pose a choking hazard if swallowed.
Tooth Holder
Here’s a charming idea for moms with children who still believe in the tooth fairy. Sneaking into their room to retrieve the tooth from under the pillow can be quite a challenge. So, why not make this adorable little tooth holder instead? It makes things easier for the “tooth fairy” and she can leave her exchange of coins or treats inside.
Handbag Trash Can
A woman’s handbag often becomes a cluttered mess, making it difficult to find important items. Here’s a brilliant idea: use an empty pill bottle to store candy wrappers, receipts, and other miscellaneous items until you can dispose of them properly. It’s just the right size to hold everything without taking up too much space in your bag.
Earphone Container
One of life’s minor yet annoying frustrations is dealing with tangled or broken earphones. I’ve learned this firsthand from carelessly tossing mine into my bag. Save yourself the irritation by storing your earphones safely in an empty pill bottle!
Jewellery
I never would have imagined cutting up a plastic bottle to make jewellery, and I certainly wouldn’t have expected it to turn out so attractive instead of tacky! Once you start getting creative and let your imagination run wild, I bet there are plenty of beautiful pieces waiting to be crafted.
Seed Storage
If you need to keep your seeds safe during the winter, an empty pill bottle is the perfect size to store them until planting time arrives.
Grow Magnet
Here’s a fun activity for kids, almost like a mini science experiment. They can observe the roots and plant growth through the transparent pill bottle. Once the plant outgrows its small container, you can teach the kids how to transplant it into a larger pot.
Interesting Lamp
Here’s a unique and modern DIY project that’s surprisingly cool: a lamp crafted from reused pill bottles (preferably larger ones). It would make a striking addition to any room, especially when hung on a wall as an eye-catching feature.
Single Flower Vase
I adore this concept because it’s incredibly straightforward, and its understated elegance is what makes it so appealing. You can create several of these and place them around a mantelpiece or group them together to make a stunning table centerpiece.
Cat Toy
You can create the perfect DIY toy for your cat by filling an empty pill bottle with beans or dry rice and adding a jingle bell. You can even knit a small cover for it, allowing your beloved cat to play with it endlessly. Just a heads up, if you’re a light sleeper, you might want to hide it at night!v