We try very hard to use herbal remedies in our home, but plastic pill bottles still squeak in from time to time. I HATE tossing things and I consider myself rather skilled at discovering new uses for old things. There is a chance I’ve morphed into a upcycling addict. Oh well, there are worse things.

So with a huge stash of pill bottles needing a new purpose, I hopped on Pinterest to get some ideas. If you’re not following me on Pinterest, you really should.

As always, click the image to get the tutorial for making these awesome upcycles.

#1

You can create fire starters with them. I’m not sure I’d get my kids involved (we have some “rambunctious spirits), but maybe for responsible kids.

#2

You can make a hide-a-key. I saw a similar one that used a pine cone.

#3

You can use pill bottles to store shampoo, conditioner and lotion when traveling. I think these are the right size to be approved by airline security.

#4

You can make a travel sewing kit with attached pin cushion.

#5

You can make your own pill bottle survival kit. My husband has made about 20 of these and has them everywhere he spends any time.

#6

You can store small craft and hobby items, such as cake piping tips, small beads, and needles.

#7

You can make cute Halloween potion bottles.

#8

Maybe Halloween isn’t your thing and you’d prefer a winter snowman?

#9

You can make fun rainbow crayons. You get 2 “upcycle points” if you are upcycling broken crayons (another thing I refuse to throw away).

#10

You can make a faux bamboo vase.

#11

You can make one of those quick nail polish remover tubs.

#12

You can store ammo in them. I know nothing about hunting, but I’ve heard that dry ammo is happy ammo.

#13

Okay, knitters and crocheters will love this one. Make your yarn balls center pull using pill bottles. No more chasing balls of yarn everywhere.

#14

You can make your own ink daubers. I’m not sure what one would do with an ink dauber – BINGO maybe? – but it looked like a cute idea.

#15

If you’re having trouble finding a place to store all your quarters (I’ve never had that problem), you can use them in a pill bottle.

#16

You can make some cool amber-colored party lights. Maybe for a doctor’s graduation party?

#17

You can create a travel first aid kit. We use these all the time! Again, I have rambunctious children (okay, ONE rambunctious child, but I’m not naming names… Chico)

#18

You can help out the Tooth Fairy by giving her something a bit bigger than a tooth to look for in the mess of bed sheets.

#19

You can store tiny hair doodads in them.

#20

You can lock up your q-tips so your children don’t attempt to clean each other’s ears – yes, it’s happened.

#21

If my DIY Printable Seed Packets weren’t for you, you could store seeds in them.

#22

Last, but not least, you can use pill bottles to organize batteries.

If you’re crazy about upcycling like I am, you should check out Craftsy. They offer all sorts of online classes including my personal favorite, Project Upcycle.

Want to donate your empty pill bottles?

12/01/15 Update: The Malawi Pill Vial Program “has proven the most successful program in our 22 years in Malawi,” reports Richard Stephens, one of the co-founders and member of the Board of Directors for the Malawi Project. He is making reference to the recently concluded pill container collection program conducted by the Malawi Project. Stephens continues, “The original Facebook post reached 5 million people, and churches, schools, and other civic groups all over the nation picked up the story. By late November the number of vials received had passed 1 million. More people have participated in this single program that any other program since our beginning in 1993.” The program concluded the end of November, with all final shipments to be sent to the Project’s offices between January 1st and 15th.

What great uses have you come up with for old pill bottles? Share in the comments below.

And remember, health doesn’t come from plastic bottles, but if it does, make something cute with the bottle afterwards!