Recycling for Charity: medicine, pill and vitamin bottles
This page lists charities and other organisations collecting empty plastic pill, vitamin and medicine bottles.
If any details are incorrect or you know of any other groups collecting them, please leave a comment below and I’ll update the listings.
- For ways to reuse the bottles instead, check out our post: “how can I reuse or recycle plastic pill and vitamin bottles?“
| Who wants it | Why | Country | Contact details |
| No one at the moment | If you’re a charity or organisation that collects old medicine or pill bottles, please leave your details below. |
- Find out how to recycle other things for charity with the Recycle This Recycling for Charity Directory
We have alot of pill bottles and are trying to find a place to send them too. We did have an organization that was supposedly sending them overseas for pill distribution in foreign countries, but that we are not sure of. Does anyone else have an organization that we might send them too. We are a non-profit organization The Telephone Pioneers of America. Thank you Patricia Hanna
Patricia,
This organization accepts clean pill bottles with no labels. They use them in Africa for children with Aids. PS: My Dad was a retired Telephone Pioneer of America. :-)
Mailing Address:
Tanya Weaver, Executive Director
American Foundation for Children with AIDS
6221 Blue Grass Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Telephone:
Tel: (888) 683-8323
Tel: (717) 489-0206
Fax: (717) 489-0214
Email:
info@AFCAids.org
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Are there any organizatons doing the same in the Humble Tx or Houston, Tx?
Rose
please let me know if American Foundation for Children with AIDS still recycling medicine bottles.and the address to sent them is locate it in Harrisburg.
I am interested in sending empty pill bottles to any organization, to help with suppling medical assistance to counties who are in need of help.
Hildred Cherry
147 Quinn Road Apt 2
Clover, SC 29710
I cannot get the labels off my pill bottles. Is there someone who can do this for me? I’ve tried soaking them off but that doesn’t work.
I live in Canada and have about a hundred bottles.
i secured a box of empty pill bottles today. Is there a place in the Des Moines, IA Area I could drop them off for use in impoverished countries? Thank you.
Are you still collecting used medicine bottles?? Have bov to send somewhere ifn you are interested. Thanks
hi there. the American Foundation for Children with AIDS no longer accepts medicine bottles. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY. Thanks to all who contributed in the past.
Tanya Weaver
AFCAids.org
I am actually looking to collect pill bottles for an art project at my pharmacy school……to raise funds for a non-profit…..
May I ask where you are located?
I am in London, Ontario. There used to be a pharmacy in Kitchener Ont. but I can’t locate which one.
i live in Ingalls In. and i have a 2gallon bucket full of empty lables perscrition botlles. I don’t want to just throw them away especially if there is a use for them.
Hello,
Are u still looking for clean empty prescription pill bottles?
I’m in Florida, happy to send you about 50 empty bottles. Please send your address!
I need pill bottles has I can not get them out of the package you get them in so I would be happy if you could send me some thank you so much x
We are planning on sending empty pill bottles to the Malawi Project Inc. Is this still an up and going project? Anyone know?
no they have stopped collecting and the children with aids don’t collect either. I am still looking.
THEY ARE STILL TAKING PILL BOTTLES UNTIL THANKSGIVING 2015 THEN THEY WILL RESUME AFTER CHRISTMAS UNTIL THE 2ND WEEk OF JANUARY 2016….DON”T MAIL THEM BETWEEN THANKSGIVING- XMAS
I went to the Malawi , project website. They are asking people to stop asking others to save for them. They are shutting down this project. They are asking all groups who have pill bottles ready to send to try to get them mailed in by thanksgiving. they don’t want to jam the post office in December, because of Christmas mail. They said they will continue to receive bottles the first 2 weeks of January…
You can read about it here. http://malawiproject.org/
After Malawi Project stops taking these bottles in January 2016… These pill bottles are totally recyclable here in the U.S.A……If your community doesn’t recycle take them to a community that does
The Malawi Project has stopped taking pill bottles due to the large response they have received. I read it today on their facebook page as I was getting a box ready to send to them.
No it is not as of January 15, 2016
need contact info for sending pill bottles to charity.
Would like information on where to recycle pill bottles in our vicinity, i.e., Cicero, Stickney,Berwyn, Brookfield, Illinois. There is a SCARCE office near by, but I can seem to get an answer from there.
R. Davis
Amoore1062@aol.Com
Can I turn in empty medicine bottles to any AMVET for use in Africa? I live in Hampton Roads, VA.
I am soooo happy to find this inf. Who can I contact in London, Ontario. Canada or anywhere to get started again.
Please let me know also we are getting lots to & I can deliver to Kitchener sometime. I live in Northern Ontario or if you know of any place between New Liskeard & London ON email: mjkmacleod@ontera.net
Has anyone found a place in Canada.
I am glad to see there is an organization I can mail them, but is there in the Humble or Houston Tx area?
Thank You
The Carriage Hills Retirement Center in Conroe, TX collects them for donation to charities.
I think they have been sending them to Doctors Without Borders.
Their address is:
750 Longmire Rd
Conroe, TX 77304
our Girl Scout troop would like to start a campaign to collect medicine pill containers. We just want to be sure this is a current information to send to AvMet and any other organization that can re-use the containers.
We look forward to confirmation.
thanks!
American Foundation for Children with AIDS is still accepting pill bottles. Mailing informatioin is above.
If you are looking for other projects, please check out http://www.AFCAids.org for a list of things the Girl Scouts can do.
thank you,
tanya
As of 1/13/16 this group is not excepting pill bottles. I just talked with them to check before mailing bottles.
I have a bunch of empty median ice bottles all sizes that I would love to recycle and not throw away. So if anyone wants them just send me your mailing address and email so I can just charge you for postage costs and you can have them all. I also have 3 blue glass bottles if you like to make art stuff these are great as well. They are brand new and I just hate to throw it away. Again just pay cost for shipping and its yours.
Lisa
I have a bunch of empty median ice bottles all sizes that I would love to recycle and not throw away. So if anyone wants them just send me your mailing address and email so I can just charge you for postage costs and you can have them all. I also have 3 blue glass bottles if you like to make art stuff these are brand new Again just pay cost for shipping and its yours.
Lisa
I live in the south suburbs of Chicago. We’ve already collected a garbage bag full of the bottles. But, is there somewhere locally where we can drop them off rather than having to ship them. Thanks, Jan
I would like to find an organization in the Oxford, North Carolina area that is accepting empty pill bottles.
I have quite a few empty pill bottles that I’ve finally taken the labels off of that were just tossed in an empty drawer. I live in a far south suburb of Chicago (Will County) and wanted to know if anyone nearby needs them, otherwise I will put them in the recycling bin. Respond back to this post on this site if you or an organization could use them.
I belong to AMVETS Aux. in PA. We are looking for a place to recycle pill bottles. We have contacted several places but they aren’t interested in the bottles. What do you do with yours? Thanks for any ideas.
I would love to know if there is a location located in arlington,tx or dfw area.
Please reply to this post or email me with any info.
Thank you,
Yo
Looking for a location in the Cincinnati OH area that is interested in clean prescription bottles, my church group is considering this as a outreach project. If you know of any locations in the Cincinnati OH area please let me know. Thanks.
My Mom’s church gives them to the Matthew 25 ministries, in Blue Ash.
Our church is looking for an organization to which we can donate the empty prescription bottles collected from our church members. We are located approximately 50 northwest of St. Louis, Missouri. Any ideas?
we are collecting empty prescription bottles please send if you still have available remove all labels send to Normandy United Methodist Church 8000 Natural Bridge Rd, St. Louis Missouri 63121 attn: Shirley Stevens
Is your church still collecting pill bottles? I have some I want to send somewhere that can use them. Thanks – Denise Sherman
Hello Shirley, I read your request for collecting Rx bottles. I have a lot and I am running out of space for them. They are in GREAT condition and clean. I have not been able to find a place close by my address to take them too. So i would be glad to ship them to you. I’m not looking for any money to be made I just want to donate them for a good cause.
I also have some school books that I want to possibly donate as well for use to people who need free school books for literature, science, reading, etc. So please let me know if you want the bottles and interested in the school books as well.
Thanks and hope to hear from you, Ms. Williams
Are you still eollectiong plastic prescription bottles?
I have called the church for information when I receive confirmation, I will pass it on.
Sorry, Normandy UMC is no longer collecting empty prescription bottles
please contact The Malawi Project 3314 Van Tassel Dr Indianapolis,In 46240
Did you ever find a place that will take empty pill bottles. I live north of St. Louis area in Illinois and you seem to be the only one near an area closer to me that was looking for a place. I hate throwing these bottles away each month so I am looking for someone that is not too far away I could save far and not too far to send or drop off. Thanks, Barb
I, too, have many pill bottles that were donated to me by church members for my medical mission trips. However, the organization that I frequently travel with uses small zip lock bags for dispensing meds. Can I take them to any AmVets drop-of in Ohio?
Make mini medical kits, steri wipes, steri strips, bandages, bee sting pens, many small medical items can fit into just 1 container.
You can also make mini sewing kits as well, very handy a few safety pins some various threads wrapped around a piece of cardboard, a few various colored buttons, 2 needles.
I have a lot of used empty prescription and supplement bottles I would like to donate to a nonprofit or veterinary clinic, preferably in the proximity of Dallas, Texas. Please call me at 972-238-7992.
I’m looking for an organization/group in MI that accepts empty prescription bottles for reuse maybe in third world contries?
I have several pill bottles for who ever is in need of them. I take many medications and have pill bottles ever month that I could give away. I now have 76 bottles of all sizes. So if anyone is interested please email me. We had a church that was taking them for kids in Africa suffering from Aids/HIV but they stopped and so now we need another way to recycle them. If your wondering how to get the labels off the bottles you can use the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and it takes them off with no problem, just a little scrubbing.
Are there any Amvet locations near Detroit, MI?
I have 2 to 3 dozen brown glass pill/supplement bottles to donate someplace. They are all clean, labels removed and ready to reuse.
I need somewhere to recycle plastic bill bottles near Toledo, Oh
I have several dozen. I would like for them to go to a needy charity if possible.
I am planning to start collecting prescription pill bottles at my church for use in a medical mission in Central America. I need to know how they can be sterilized for safe reuse. Can anyone help me with this?
Please let me know where to send rx bottles. I have quite a few and will be a continual supplier.
Carol Ostmark
I to would like the address. you should request them washed and label free. Then you could wash and sanitize as food service or hospitals.
I have been a saving entitles and am willing to ship to anywhere that can help others in need All the sights I have found ha e closed down. Please let me know of of any current needs and I would be happy to help.
If you have any empty pill bottles please send them to me at the address Below. Thank you so much in advance.
6003 Corey Way
Hurlock, MD, 21643
Lindsey, are you with an organization or just collecting them for projects? I have quite a few available to send. Please email me the details. Thanks.
I have empty Rx bottles I am trying to donate. I have already messaged 1 lady on here but I have so many that I have collected to possibly donate to some one for crafts, personal use or to help another country , etc. I am not looking to make any money off this I just strictly want to donate them. I’m running out of room and space for these bottles. I also have some school books that can be used for students both young and adult for learning Science, Math, Literature, etc. I have tried to find a place who would benefit from this as well. Please let me know if you are interested. Just trying to give to someone who can truly benefit from my donations. Thanks and hope to hear from you, Ms. Williams
Is this address still valid to send empty bottles?
Does anyone know of a charity that is collecting empty pill bottles around El Paso, TX. We have bags of them and I would like to get them where they are needed and not into the trash. Thank you,.
Anyone collecting empty pill bottles for a cause? Please let me know where to send them and what cause.. thanks J
I’m interested in knowing this also. I can recycle them in my area, but would prefer they were reused in some way first.
Labels can be removed easily by using blow dryer.
Thanks for the tip!
Will the Post Office accept these prescription bottles without having to pay the postage? It would make this an excessive expense for one on a fixed income.
Has this been answered I would like to know the same.
I am now using UPS – much less expensive.
We have some used pill bottles and would like to donate them, where can we send them and can we get credit for them for our Ladies Aux. ? Thanks for you information!!
I have dozens of empty, clean, labels removed prescription bottles. But, after reading all of these posts, it doesn’t sound like there is any specific organization that is definitely accepting them for charity. So, I have a few other ideas: some artists are making beautiful chandaliers and other forms of artwork out of prescription bottles, some people with basement workshops, use them to store small items such as nails, screws, washers, etc., and there are carpenters who make spice racks using cast off prescription bottles. I’ve found several online sites that use old prescription bottles for the reasons I mentioned, so I guess it’s just a matter of getting addresses for those who use them.
Have 150+ prescription bottles that I would like to donate for FREE — for whatever charity can use them — I’ve seen some addresses in the above postings, but no reply as to whether or not any of them are accurate. Thank you for any advice you can provide. I am willing to mail them anywhere in the U.S.
I started collecting pill bottles and now need a place to take them. I live in the Tacoma, WA area and we have an AmVet locally.
Can I take them there? I wish the site was more organized and responsive. It seems you have many contributors willing to do this but but nowhere to take them.
I have empty pill bottles and I hate to throw them out is there somewhere that is currently collecting them for the needy?
Hi,
We are in Iowa and are a creative reuse center. If you don’t have one near you, please consider sending us your empty pill bottles without lables. We have scouts and schools using them and we are also collecting to send overseas. We are a nonprofit organization and would love to help.
We are taking crayons too, for the crayon project. Broken, whole, doesn’t matter, we want them all.
Many more items needed if you want to send or live local. Email me at MakeItYoursUpcycle at gmail dot com Also find us on facebook and pinterest. Thanks.
Good afternoon, I will like to know if you are still collecting the empty pill bottles. I was going to send them to the Malawi project, but they stopped. please let me know, I would hate to throw them out. Thank you.
I have almost 2,000 empty clean prescription bottles all sizes. I want to donate. them. to a medical place (ex. Doctors Without Borders) or a vet clinicwhere I know they will be used for medical supplies. I am looking for somewhere close to me as I am retired and don’t have much money. I am in eastern Arizona in the White Mountains. Please email me at bob101857@gmail.com Thank you
Hello, I am part of a small group study program whose noble purpose is to inform and educate the ( Mattapan Neighborhood of Boston) community in making smart-healthy eating and fitness choices. Our study group is organizing a November 14th Health Fair and we are seeking 100 +prescription bottles for a craft project. We are not a 501c3, however we could really use and appreciate your help. I may be reached at 617 533 7129. Thank- you,
Please keep information if you will need any more? I wish I had looked last week.
Hello,
My name is Lynda. My company is UBhapE2(you be happy too). I am also on the Colorado NORML Board of Directors.
In Colorado, we have a plethora of medical grade containers and prescription bottles due to regulation of marijuana. They are colorful and not transparent. They are childproof caps. As well as many other types of small “tubs” and containers with childproof lids.
Can we arrange anyway to recycle these bottles in programs? I can send photos if you are interested.
Thank you,
Lynda
I am looking for a place in Jacksonville, Fl. to take my empty pill bottles to. Does anybody know one? Thanks
asgator54@att.net
Hi! I am wondering if you can tell or show me what kind of containers you need and the ones you have enough of.
I am looking for a place to bring empty prescription and supplement bottles in the St. Louis Missouri area.
I read an article that Malawi collection ended. If it is still current please let me know. Thanks.
FYI, the Malawi collection was so successful, it was discontinued for individual donations as of Thanksgiving (per the Malawi Project’s most recent e-newsletter): http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=5fc4bbf794686043a6b09f7e9&id=d4f78dd77b
I am looking for a place to recycle prescription pill bottles in the St. Paul, MN area.
I received a letter today from The Malawi Project that they are no longer accepting bottles. My church will start sending to:
{{Address removed by administrator as the charity is no longer collecting them}}
Found them on-line.
Is there an email address for this? I have a TON of bottles!
I got the following message from an organization that I contacted about recycling pill bottles. Hope this helps:
we do accept pill bottles – the program fulfills the dual needs of improving medical care in developing countries and caring for our environment.
Every pill bottle donated enhances one of these missions and the recycling aspect actually fulfills a dual mission, since it not only rescues plastics from landfills and incineration facilities, it generates cash which goes into our programs. As many as 200 gaylords (4 foot x 4 foot x 4 foot boxes) of pill bottles may be saved from the landfill with every truckload of recyclable chips.
Acceptable collection items include:
Prescription Pill Bottles Over the Counter Pill Bottles
Large Pill Bottles Small Pill Bottles
Pill Bottles with Secure Caps (child resistant) Pill Bottles without Secure Caps
Pill Bottles may be blended with other medical supplies and are shipped in open pallets. We prefer pill bottles that have been rinsed and have had the labels removed. Matthew 25: Ministries does not have the capability of washing pill bottles on-site. Volunteers may attempt to remove any attached labels, however we cannot guarantee their ability to do so. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure the privacy of your information.
If you wish to prepare bottles for shipment rather than recycling,
• Sort bottles.
• Bottles with labels which have been removed leaving no glue are ready to be washed.
• Washable bottles must have an all plastic lid.
• Bottles should be washed in very hot water and dish soap.
• Rinse and dry thoroughly.
• Replace lids on clean, dried bottles.
• Clean, recapped bottles should be placed in large ziplock bags marked “Clean Bottles” and these are blended with medical supplies.
Pill bottles may be shipped to:
Matthew 25: Ministries
11060 Kenwood Road
Cincinnati, OH 45242
Pill bottles may be shipped with the service of your choice. The USPS Website http://www.usps.com/prices/parcel-post-prices.htm suggests parcel post for affordable, reliable shipping. However, this is a suggestion only. Please use the shipping method that makes most economic sense for your organization.
Hope this helps. Thank you for considering being a part of this program.
Joodi Archer
Development and Media Director
Matthew 25: Ministries
(513) 793-6256
http://www.m25m.org
Would also like to know if there is a place in Minneapolis,Mn to drop off pill bottles for recycle/reuse?
I have been recycling bottles in Indianapolis to a church group that was giving them to Doctors Without Borders. I remove all label material with GooGone, and wash the bottles and dry thoroughly. I am very interested in knowing of organizations that need used medicine bottles, if not in Indianapolis, then I can put them in a box and mail anywhere in the U.S.
Are there any organizations in Spokane, WA or Denver, CO that take empty medicine bottles?
We are taking the pill bottles for many projects here at the center. We are a non profit creative reuse center in rural Iowa. We will also search for places/countries/organizations that are needing them in bulk.
They must be clean with no labels and no label residue or we just can’t keep them.
Our physical address is
Make it Yours Upcycle Center
411 Main Street
Welton, Iowa 52774
You use that for anything other than the US Postal Service
When sending through the post office please use:
PO Box 70
instead of street address
you can find more info on us at http://www.makeityoursupcyclecenter.org
We are seeking many, many things other than pill bottles and are happy for whatever donations we can get.
We do ask that if you have a local creative reuse center, to check with them first, otherwise we are happy to help. Thank you all very much for caring enough about Mother Earth to do this.
WE are “saving the landfills one junk drawer at a time.” We need your help.