How To Recycle Essential Oil Bottles

Essential oils are everywhere now. You can order them online, grab them at the health food store, and even some grocery stores.

When you are done with the precious oils inside, what do you do with the bottles? Do you throw them away, never to see them again?

Can You Recycle Essential Oil Bottles?

Have you wondered how you can recycle essential oil bottles? Is that even a good idea?

Yes, you can definitely recycle essential oil bottles. Recycled bottles are great for personal blends, or for sharing a bit of your oils with a friend. They are really easy to clean out and store for later use.

But in order to do this, you have to clean them first. I’ll give you more information on how to do that below!

Why You Shouldn’t Throw Out Essential Oil Bottles

When you’re finished with an essential oil bottle, you may be tempted to simply toss it in the recycling bin.

However, there are a few reasons why you shouldn’t do this. First of all, glass takes a long time to break down.

In fact, it can take 4,000+ years for a single glass bottle to decompose. This means that it will sit in a landfill for centuries, taking up valuable space.

Additionally, when glass does finally break down, it releases harmful toxins into the environment. These toxins can contaminate soil and water, and can even enter the food chain.

So next time you’re finished with an essential oil bottle, be sure to recycle it properly. You’ll be doing your part to help preserve our planet for future generations.

Cleaning Essential Oil Bottles

To clean out your essential oil bottles, first you need to use all the oil in the bottle.

When you have drained that last precious drop of oil, remove the plastic bottle’s reducer. This may take the edge of a spoon to do, but it pops off just like a canning lid from a jar.

I add a 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the bottom of the bottle to clean out any remaining residue. You can always add this to a bath soak later if you save the salt.

After the oil has been removed, place the reducer and the cap in a bowl of warm, soapy, vinegar water.

This will help clean out any residue left over. Soak for 15 minutes, rinse well, and lay on a clean towel to dry. Remove as much of the label from the bottle as you can.

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Remove the band from the bottle by carefully snipping it off with a pair of sharp scissors and toss in the garbage. This will help you keep track of what bottles are clean and ready to reuse.

You can check with your local recycling department to see if they are recyclable, but sadly in our area, they are NOT.

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Next, wash the bottles out with warm, soapy, vinegar water. The vinegar helps to remove the stubborn oils from the bottle. You can let them soak in the water for 10-15 minutes as well. Just shake a bit and rinse well.

If you have a label that won’t budge or the sticky of the label won’t come off, rub a bit of lemon essential oil on the bottle and wipe with a tissue to remove it.

washing essential oils bottles in soapy water

Allow the bottles to dry for at least 2-3 hours to ensure all the water has dissipated.

You don’t want water to possibly mix with your oil blends, as that may introduce mold and shorten the shelf life of the oils.

oil mid bottle 4

Once the bottles, reducers, and caps are all dry, store for later use. I like to use them to make custom oil blends.

Creative Ways to Reuse Essential Oil Bottles

If you’re like me, you probably have a few essential oil bottles lying around that you no longer use. Instead of letting them collect dust, here are some fun and creative ways to reuse them!

Use Them to Create Your Own Essential Oil Blends

If you love essential oils, chances are you have a collection of empty bottles gathering dust on a shelf.

Before you toss them in the recycling bin, consider repurposing them to create your own custom blends. It’s easy to do and a great way to save money. All you need is a selection of essential oils and a carrier oil like jojoba or grapeseed oil.

Start by adding 10 drops of your chosen essential oils to a 2-ounce bottle. Then, fill the rest of the bottle with carrier oil. Shake well to blend the oils.

You can use your new blend immediately or store it in a cool, dark place for future use. Just be sure to label your bottles so you know what’s inside.

Make Travel-Size Bottles

We all know how important it is to have our toiletries with us when we travel. But lugging around full-size bottles can be a pain, not to mention a waste of space.

A great way to save space and still have everything you need is to repurpose your old essential oil bottles and use them to store travel-size toiletries.

These bottles are the perfect size for carrying small amounts of soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and other liquids. Plus, they’re easy to clean and reuse.

Simply wash out your old bottles and then fill them up with the toiletries you need for your trip. You can even label them so you know what’s inside.

Convert Them to Roller Bottles

Once you’ve used up all the essential oil in a bottle, don’t just toss it in the recycling bin! With a little bit of elbow grease, you can upcycle those bottles into fantastic roller bottles.

All you need is a glass cutter, some super glue, and some new caps (which can be purchased online or at your local hardware store).

First, use the glass cutter to carefully remove the bottom of the bottle. Next, use super glue to attach a new cap to the newly cut edge. Finally, add your favorite essential oils to the bottle and enjoy!

Roller bottles are a great way to apply essential oils topically, and they make it easy to take your oils on the go.

Make Essential Oil Blends to Share With Others

If you have a collection of old essential oil bottles, don’t throw them away! Instead, you can use them to create your own unique blends to share with others. Simply add the oils you want to use in equal parts, then shake the bottle well to mix them together.

Make sure to label the bottle with the name of the blend and the date it was made. You can also include any additional information, such as the specific benefits of each oil used.

DIY Mini Sprays

Before you toss them out, consider repurposing them into miniature spraying bottles! These little bottles are perfect for carrying around in your purse or gym bag, and they can come in handy for a variety of situations.

For example, if you’re feeling a little anxious, you can reach for your DIY Mini Spray and take a few calming breaths.

Or, if you get a headache while working at your desk, give yourself a quick spritz of peppermint oil to help relieve the tension.

You can also use these sprays to freshen up your home or car. Simply add water and a few drops of essential oil (or oils) to the bottle, screw on the spray top lid, and voila! You now have a homemade, portable air freshener.

DIY Bug Spray

All you need is some witch hazel, distilled water, and your choice of essential oils. For a basic bug spray, mix together 1 part witch hazel and 1 part distilled water. Then add in 10-15 drops of your chosen essential oils.

Some good options for repelling bugs include citronella, lemongrass, and lavender. Once everything is mixed together, transfer it to your old essential oil bottle and give it a shake. Now you’re ready to enjoy the outdoors without fear of being bitten by bugs!

Make Miniature Vases

To make a miniature vase, simply remove the label from an essential oil bottle and use a sharp knife to carefully cut off the bottom. Once you have created an opening, you can insert a small bouquet of flowers or even a single stem.

For added stability, you can fill the bottom of the bottle with sand or rocks. These mini vases make lovely accents for tabletops and shelves, and they’re a great way to show off your green thumb!

Make Epsom Salt Essential Oil Infusions

Making Epsom salt essential oil infusions is a great way to recycle your old essential oil bottles and create a unique, personalized product.

The process is simple: add Epsom bath salts and a few drops of your favorite oils to a clean, dry bottle, screw on the lid tightly, and shake well to combine. You can then use your infusion in the bath or shower, or as a soothing foot soak.

Epsom salt is known for its ability to relieve stress and tension, so infusing it with an essential oil can create a truly relaxing experience.

Jazz Up Your Twinkly Lights

If you have essential oil bottles that are past their prime, don’t toss them out! You can upcycle them into chic diffusers for your twinkly lights.

First, wash the bottles out with hot soapy water and let them dry completely. Once they’re clean, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the bottle.

Then insert your string of lights and screw the top on tightly. Hang your new diffuser in a window or any other place where it will catch the light. As the bulbs heat up, they will diffuse the essential oil, filling your home with a lovely scent.

Make a Face Serum

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get quality face serum. In fact, you can use your old essential oil bottles to create a natural and beneficial serum for your skin.

The first step is to clean the bottles thoroughly and remove any labels. Next, fill the bottle with jojoba oil, which is rich in vitamins and minerals.

Then, add in 10 drops of lavender oil and 5 drops of chamomile oil. Finally, seal the bottle and shake it well to combine the ingredients. Apply the serum to your face nightly after cleansing for best results.

Create Your Own Perfume

If you love the smell of essential oils but don’t want to spend the money on a commercial perfume, try creating your own at home. It’s easy to do and only requires a few supplies. First, gather together all of your old essential oil bottles.

Next, choose the scent or combination of scents that you want to use in your perfume. Once you have decided on the perfect blend, simply add a few drops of each oil to a clean, dry bottle.

Finally, add a carrier oil such as jojoba or fractionated coconut oil to help dilute the aroma and fix the scent in place. And that’s it! You now have your very own custom perfume that you can wear with pride.

Use Them as Deodorizers

If you have any empty essential oil bottles lying around, don’t throw them away! Instead, repurpose them as all-natural deodorizers.

Simply add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the bottle, then fill the rest of the way with distilled water. Screw on the lid and shake well to combine.

You can then place the bottle in any small space that needs a freshening up, such as a bathroom, closet, or car.

The essential oils will help to neutralize odors and leave behind a pleasant scent. And best of all, this natural solution is safe to use around children and pets.

Store Herbs

With a little bit of creativity, you can repurpose your essential oil bottles into handy containers for storing herbs.

Simply wash out the bottles and remove any labels. Then, use a sharp knife to make small holes in the lid. These holes will allow air to circulate, preventing your herbs from going bad.

Simply fill the bottle with your desired herb and screw on the lid. Now you have a cute and practical way to keep your herbs fresh.

Make a Mattress Refresher

Did you know that you can use your old essential oil bottles to make a mattress refresher?

This is a great way to repurpose those bottles and keep your mattress smelling fresh. All you need is some baking soda, an essential oil of your choice, and a spray bottle.

Simply mix together the baking soda and essential oil, then put it in the spray bottle.

When you’re ready to refresh your mattress, simply spray the mixture onto the surface. The baking soda will help to absorb any odors, while the essential oil will leave a pleasant scent. You can even add a few drops of lavender oil to help you relax before bed.

Make Flavored Toothpicks

Do you have a bunch of old essential oil bottles taking up space in your cabinets? Put them to good use by repurposing them into flavored toothpicks! It’s a simple process: just add toothpicks to the bottle and then top off with your favorite essential oil.

The toothpicks will absorb the oil, infusing them with flavor.

You can use any essential oil you like, but some favorites include lavender, vanilla, grapefruit, peppermint, rosemary, cinnamon, tea tree, basil, geranium, sweet almond oil, frankincense, lemon oil, orange oil, and sandalwood.

When you’re ready to use the toothpicks, simply remove them from the bottle and enjoy.

Use Them to Hold Tiny Craft Supplies

One great way to use essential oil bottles is to use them to hold tiny craft supplies. For example, you could use a small bottle to hold beads, sequins, or buttons.

This is a great way to keep your crafting area organized and to make sure that you always have the supplies you need on hand.

You could also use a larger bottle to store ribbons, needles, or other small items.

Recycling the Essential Oil Bottles

Don’t want to repurpose? That’s fine! Just take the time to recycle the bottles instead. Here are a few options.

Bring Them to a Local Glass Recycler

Used essential oil bottles can be recycled in a number of ways. One way is to bring them to your local glass recycler. Most glass recyclers will accept essential oil bottles as long as they are rinsed out and the lids are removed.

Once at the glass recycler, the bottles will be sorted and crushed into small pieces called “cullet.” The cullet will then be melted down and used to create new glass products.

Check With Your Local Municipal Recycling Facility

Most municipal recycling facilities will accept glass bottles, so it’s easy to do your part for the environment. Simply rinse out the bottles and place them in your recycling bin.

If you’re not sure whether your local facility accepts glass, give them a call or check their website. By recycling your essential oil bottles, you’ll help to reduce waste and conserve resources.

Send to Recycle Nation

One option for recycling essential oil bottles is to send them to Recycle Nation. This organization collects used bottles and puts them through a recycling process that cleans, sorts and sells the materials to manufacturers.

The cleaned bottles are then made into new products, such as packaging for food and cosmetics.

Recycle Nation also offers a rewards program for recyclers, which can be used to purchase essential oils and other products.

Send to Rocky Mountain Oils

Recycling is important for many reasons. It conserves energy and resources, reduces pollution, and helps to create jobs. However, recycling can be difficult to do if you don’t have access to the right facilities.

This is where Rocky Mountain Oils comes in. They are committed to helping our customers recycle their essential oil bottles.

Simply send your empty bottles, and they will recycle them for you. They accept all sizes and types of bottles, so you can be sure that your recyclables will be put to good use.

Final Thoughts

We hope you found these tips helpful! If you have any other ideas on how to recycle essential oil bottles, please share them in the comments below. Let’s work together to keep our planet healthy and green!

What do you do with your old essential oil bottles? Do you re-use them?

essential oil bottles recycle pin

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