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Creative and Practical Ways to Reuse Pill Bottles Around the Home

Let’s be honest—those little orange pill bottles multiply like rabbits in the back of the medicine cabinet. And if you’re anything like me, tossing them feels wasteful. They’re sturdy, compact, and practically begging to be reused. So rather than sending them to landfill purgatory, let’s put them to good use!

Here are 30 clever, crafty, and completely practical ways to reuse pill bottles—from home hacks to travel tips and even a few creative craft ideas your grandkids will love.

Home Organization Hacks

1. Spare change stash
   Pop it in your car’s cup holder, and you’ll never be caught short for a parking meter again.
2. Emergency sewing kit
   A couple of needles, thread, tiny scissors, and a spare button fit perfectly.
3. Tiny hardware holder
   Nails, screws, washers—no more rummaging through random tins in the garage.
4. Safety pin storage
   Stop chasing scattered pins in the bottom of your junk drawer.
5. Toothpick travel case
   Because no one wants loose toothpicks rolling around in their handbag.
6. Matches + striking strip
   Glue a match striker to the lid and toss it in your camping kit.
7. Mini first-aid kit
   Band-aids, alcohol wipes, and a few painkillers—all in one waterproof spot.
8. USB or SD card holder
   Label the lid and keep your data safe and dry.

Craft & DIY Ideas

9. Bead storage
   Perfect for sorting small amounts by color or type.
10. Glitter containment
    Finally, a way to store glitter without it taking over your whole craft drawer.
11. DIY travel paint pots
    A little dab of acrylic in each bottle = no mess on the go.
12. Mini crayon case
    Snap a few crayons in half and toss them in for road trip fun.
13. Yarn needle case
    Stop losing your large eye needles in the couch cushions!
14. Button collector
    Keep vintage buttons or those extras from clothing tags neatly sorted.
15. DIY air freshener
    Punch holes in the lid, fill with baking soda and essential oils, and tuck into smelly corners.

Gardening & Outdoors

16. Seed storage
    Keep heirloom seeds labeled and moisture-free between seasons.
17. DIY watering scoop
    Cut the bottom off and use it to water seedlings gently.
18. Slug bait traps
    Fill with beer, bury level with soil. Say goodbye to slug-munched lettuce.
19. Travel spice holder
    Take your garden herbs camping with labeled, sealed bottles.

Travel & Purse Essentials

20. Earbud holder
    No more tangled cords in the bottom of your handbag.
21. Travel pill sorter
    Instead of dragging the whole cabinet, portion out what you need.
22. Hair ties and bobby pins
    A small bottle keeps these sneaky little things together.
23. Lotion or sunscreen decanter
    Much cheaper (and smaller) than travel bottles from the store.
24. Jewelry protection
    Pop your rings or earrings in a cotton-padded bottle while swimming or traveling.
25. Breath mint container
    No more rattling Tic Tac boxes—just sleek and quiet.

Kids, Pets, & Emergency Prep

26. Pet treats
    Handy for walks or training sessions. Clip to your keychain or leash.
27. DIY “I’m bored” game pieces
    Write fun challenges on slips of paper and store them for school holidays.
28. Mini flashlight storage
    Tuck in a tiny torch and a few batteries—great for glove compartments or emergency kits.
29. Tooth fairy bank
    My kids used to leave the tooth and the bottle under the pillow. Easier for the fairy to find!
30. Message in a bottle
    Classic beach day fun. Bonus points for sealing it with wax.

A Quick Safety Note

If you’re using old prescription bottles, make sure to remove or cover the label completely—personal info should stay your business. And give each bottle a good wash before repurposing.

There’s something deeply satisfying about finding new life for old things. It’s frugal, clever, and let’s be honest—there’s a certain joy in telling someone, “Oh this? It’s just a pill bottle I upcycled.”

Have you found a genius way to reuse pill bottles? Share it in the comments or tag us @CraftGossip on Pinterest or Facebook—we’d love to see your ideas!