How to Recycle Prescription Pill Bottles
Every time you fill a prescription, you are given a brand new pill bottle. Over time, this creates a lot of plastic waste. Responsible disposal of your bottles can have a huge impact on the environment. Recycling them can help reduce water usage and the development of greenhouse gasses and other harmful pollutants.
That said, recycling your pill bottles may not be as easy as tossing them into the recycling bin. In many areas, you can’t recycle pill bottles yourself. This article discusses the issue and provides you with solutions to reduce plastic waste and safely dispose of your prescription pill bottles.
Why Recycling Pill Bottles Can Be Difficult
Prescription pill bottles are generally made of orange plastic, which is called polypropylene. Polypropylene is a commonly used plastic with the resin code #5. The issue with this type of plastic is that many recycling services do not accept it. This type of plastic is particularly hard and heat resistant, making it difficult to recycle.
Polypropylene is a commonly used plastic with the resin code #5.
Another issue with prescription pill bottles is their size. Many recycling centers use a trommel to sort recycled materials. A trommel is a cylindrical screen that rotates to remove contaminants from the recycling stream. Small items like pill bottles fall through the holes and are thrown away.
To make sure that your prescription pill bottles are actually recycled, you’ll need to find a recycling provider that specializes in handling pill bottles, #5 plastic, and small items.
How to Recycle Prescription Pill Bottles
If you want to recycle your empty prescription pill bottles, start by searching for a specialized provider. These recyclers will wash, shred, and recycle your bottles. The washing process uses heat and water to remove drug residue that remains in your bottles.
Check with your provider to make sure they accept plastic bottle caps.
The best recycling providers provide free, no-obligation quotes and are flexible to book around your schedule. Once you have selected a service, remove any leftover medication and dispose of it safely. For extra safety, you should remove the label or scratch out your information with a permanent marker. Prescription labels include protected health information (PHI) — your name, address, and prescription number. Thieves can gain access to and steal your medical records using PHI. Shredding destroys your information and prepares the plastic for reuse.
Check with your provider to make sure they accept plastic bottle caps. Some providers ask you to separate the caps, while others may prefer them left on. Drop off your bottles or fill a box for mailback or pickup. Your bottles will then be safely recycled.
Pill Bottle Disposal With Medical Waste Pros
While prescription pill bottles can add up fast, there are plenty of safe, responsible solutions. If you’re not sure what to do with yours, Medical Waste Pros can help. Our pill bottle disposal services provide an easy, environmentally friendly way to dispose of your old bottles.
We have a nationwide network of trusted providers who offer compliant disposal for other types of medical waste as well. From pharmaceutical and biohazardous waste to used sharps and chemotherapy waste, we’ve got it handled.
Medical Waste Pros is here to help you find compliant medical waste services in your area. Give us a call at (888) 755-6370 or fill out the form to connect with providers near you and receive free quotes within minutes.
