Empty prescription pill bottles
What items can we take?
We are taking #5 plastic prescription bottles - check the bottle to see if there's a 5 in the recycling symbol! All pill bottles should be rinsed and dried, with personal information blacked out or removed. Caps should be left on the bottles!
#5 plastic prescription pill bottles without labels
If you have the lid, please fasten it onto the bottle.
#5 plastic prescription pill bottles with labels
Make sure to black out or remove any personal information. If you have the lid, please fasten it onto the bottle.
#5 plastic prescription pill bottles in various colors
Any color is fine as long as they are transparent and made of #5 plastic!
What isn’t in this category?
We cannot take bottles with medication left inside them. Please dispose of any leftover medication through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Drug Take-Back Program.
Medicine
Please dispose of medicine through a local medicine take-back program
Bottles with medication left inside
Please dispose of medicine through a local medicine take-back program
White plastic pill bottles
Vitamin or over-the-counter bottles
Many curbside recycling programs will take these - check with your local provider!
Glass pill bottles
Check with your curbside recycling provider to see if they can take these
Foil or paper seals
Cotton balls
Empty prescription pill bottles.
66% of American adults use prescription medications, but sadly prescription pill bottles aren't accepted in most curbside recycling programs.
We're partnering with specialty recyclers who can process pill bottles, so that you can feel good about where your old bottles end up!
Partnering with Merlin Plastics
Merlin Plastics, a circular economy-focused plastic recycler servicing the U.S. and Canada, gives used plastic a new life, providing an alternative to virgin resin to be used by plastic manufacturers. Used plastics, like your plastic items collected by Ridwell, are shredded, washed, and pelletized into a post-consumer resin (PCR) at Merlin. Ultimately, PCR is used to make various commercial and industrial products like nursery planting pots, piping, and more. Merlin is committed to circularizing discarded packaging in an environmentally sound, economically efficient, and socially responsible fashion.
FAQ
Where can I dispose of medicine?
Oregon residents can dispose of medicine using The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Drug Take-Back Program, which offers drop-off and mail-in options. Find a location or order mail-back supplies on the Drug Take-Back Program website.
Washington State residents can safely dispose of medication through the Department of Health's Safe Medication Return Program. Information on free mail-in and drop off options are available on the Washington DOH website.
Join the movement to build a future without waste.
