Empty prescription bottles are easy to toss in the trash without giving them a second thought. But these little plastic containers are sturdy, lightweight, and useful for storing all sorts of small household items.

Many prescription bottles are made from #5 polypropylene plastic, which is known for its durability and resistance to moisture. Before throwing yours away, take a look at these 16 ways to put empty pill bottles to use.

Store Garden Seeds

If you collect seeds from your garden, empty pill bottles can keep them sorted until the next planting season. Write the plant name and harvest date on each bottle so you know exactly what’s inside.

Organize Screws, Nails, and Hardware

Small hardware pieces can get lost at the bottom of a toolbox or mixed together in a drawer. Use pill bottles to separate screws, bolts, washers, nails, and anchors so you can find what you need without sorting through a pile.

Create a Mini First Aid Kit

A clean pill bottle can hold a few small first aid supplies for your purse, backpack, or hiking bag. Pack items such as adhesive bandages and antiseptic wipes, but keep medications in their original packaging and follow their storage instructions.

Store Hair Accessories

Bobby pins, hair ties, small barrettes, and clips are easy to misplace around the house. A pill bottle gives these little accessories one place to stay, whether you keep it in a bathroom drawer or pack it for a trip.

Make a Travel Jewelry Holder

Rings, earrings, and small bracelets can get tangled or scratched when they’re loose in a suitcase. A clean pill bottle gives them a separate place during travel, though delicate pieces should be wrapped individually for extra protection.

Keep Earbuds and Charging Cables Organized

Short charging cables and wired earbuds can turn into a tangled mess inside a purse or backpack. Coil them loosely and place them in a pill bottle to keep them separate from everything else.

Hold Cotton Swabs

Standard prescription bottles are often a good size for storing cotton swabs. They keep the swabs together and help protect them from dust and moisture in a bathroom drawer or travel bag.

Organize Craft Supplies

Anyone who sews, makes jewelry, or enjoys scrapbooking knows how quickly small supplies can take over a craft drawer. Pill bottles are handy for keeping items such as:

Beads
Buttons
Sequins
Sewing needles
Safety pins
Jewelry findings
Glitter

Add a label to each bottle so you can spot the right supplies without opening every container.

Store Office Supplies

Paper clips, thumbtacks, rubber bands, push pins, binder clips, and staples can make a desk drawer messy. Put each type of supply in its own pill bottle to keep everything sorted and easy to find.

Make a Portable Sewing Kit

A pill bottle can hold a few sewing supplies for quick repairs while traveling or away from home. Add needles, thread, safety pins, and spare buttons, but leave out small scissors unless the container is large enough to hold them safely.

Keep Spare Change in Your Car

Many prescription bottles can hold quarters and other loose coins, making them handy for parking meters, laundromats, tolls, or vending machines. Keep the bottle out of sight and avoid leaving money in the car if you can bring it inside.

Pack Travel Toiletries

Larger pill bottles can hold small portions of certain toiletries, such as lotion, shampoo, conditioner, or moisturizer. Check that the container is clean, closes securely, and is suitable for the product before packing it in your luggage.

Make an Emergency Cash Stash

A clean pill bottle can hold a few folded bills for an unexpected expense. Keep it in a secure place at home or inside an emergency bag rather than leaving cash in an unattended vehicle.

Protect Fragile Items During Shipping

Small items such as jewelry, tiny collectibles, and delicate electronic parts can use a little extra protection before shipping. Wrap each item, place it inside a pill bottle, and add cushioning around the bottle inside the shipping box.

Donate Them to Animal Shelters

Some animal shelters, veterinary clinics, and rescue groups accept clean, empty prescription bottles for dispensing pet medications. Contact the organization before dropping anything off, since acceptance rules and bottle requirements vary.

Recycle Them Properly

If you have no use for your empty bottles, check whether your local recycling service accepts #5 plastic. Some pharmacies and community programs also collect prescription containers, so it’s worth checking their rules before putting them in your household recycling.