Pharmacy Pill Bottles
- DON’T put the caps into curbside recycling
- DO put the bottle bases into curbside recycling
- DO remove any labels and wash out the inside
- DO consider dropping-off or mailing-in bottles for reuse or recycling (see below for details)
About These Items
These plastic pill bottles are partially accepted by the city’s curbside recycling program. The bottle bases can be placed in with your other curbside recyclables, but the caps or lids are too small to be accepted. However, the caps can be recycled through other channels.
Make sure you remove any paper labels on your bottles–not only does this help recyclers, it also protects your private health information! Also wash out the inside to remove any medication residue.
Some pharmacies accept these bottles for reuse and recycling. They are also collected by numerous charity programs to be reused. These pharmacy pill bottles are typically #5 plastics and can be recycled by several targeted #5 recycling channels.
Safely Dispose of Unused Medicine
If there is any leftover medicine in your bottles, don’t throw in in the trash or wash down the sink where it will enter the water supply. The Pennsylvania Dept. of Drug and Alcohol operates drug take-back programs all over the state where you can safely dispose of your unused medication for free. There are over 70 locations in the Pittsburgh area.
Return to Pharmacy.
Some pharmacy accept prescription and other medication bottles for recycling. Recycle This Pittsburgh has confirmed that CVS pharmacies inside Target participate in this kind of recycling program and they will accept both prescription and over-the-counter medicine bottles.
Donate.
There are many programs that collect pill bottles to donate for re-use.
Re-use.
There are also lots of craft ideas on how to re-use these bottles. Just make sure you thoroughly wash out these bottles before reusing them.
If #5 or #2, drop off or mail in.
Most prescription bottles are rigid #5 (polypropylene or PP) while most white branded medication bottles are #2 *(high-density polyethylene or HDPE). Both #5 and #2 bottles can be dropped-off locally at Reimagined Recycling while #5s can also be mailed in to Preserve’s Gimme 5 program:
Drop-off at Reimagined Recycling
Reimagined Recycling is a local program that collects rigid #2 and #5 plastics to be shredded and turned into raw materials to be made into new plastic items.
They run collections on select Sundays at 1225 Larimer Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Currently collection events are announced on their Instagram @reimaginedrecyling or on their facebook page. Please check these links for exact dates and times of collection events.
Items must be cleaned with all labels removed. Please remember to wear a mask and follow Reimagined Recycling on for updates and more exciting news to come!
Drop-off at Michael Brothers Hauling
Michael Brothers Hauling is collecting ALL #1 and #2 plastics (including clamshells, cups, etc) at their location at 901 Horning Rd. 15236. They also accept (and even pay for) scrap metal. Their drop-off is a drive through.
Mail to Preserve’s Gimme 5 program with other rigid #5 plastics.
Preserve runs a collection program called Gimme 5 that accepts #5 plastics, all plastic caps, prescription bottles, toothbrushes, and dip & dairy containers.
Please note that as of June 29, 2022, Preserver has still paused their Gimme 5 mail in program due to logistical challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that their Preserve Toothbrush Takeback program IS running during this time.
You can mail in your #5 plastics to the Gimme 5 program. (To make this mail-in recycling program as environmentally-friendly as possible, Preserve encourages you to reuse a box and pack it densely, and if possible, ship by ground.)
Mail to:
Preserve Gimme 5
823 State Route 13
Cortland, NY 13045-6574
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