Medical & Pharmaceuticals recycling
How to Recycle Pharmaceutical Bottles
Plastic prescription and over-the-counter medication containers. Their resin and local acceptance vary; many amber #5 prescription vials are not accepted curbside. The medication and personal information need separate attention first.
Check local acceptanceStandard curbside plastic recycling value; no special payoutLast reviewed August 28, 2026
Quick answer
Empty the medication through a take-back or approved home-disposal route first. Then check the resin code and your local program: many amber #5 pharmacy vials are not accepted curbside. Remove or obscure personal information before using the local route.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- Standard curbside plastic recycling value; no special payout
How to Prepare
- 1Empty out any remaining pills or liquid and dispose of them through take-back, not the bottle recycling stream
- 2Rinse the bottle to remove medication residue
- 3