Growers and Grocers

Number five plastic. Aluminum foil. Plastic grocery sacks. Common thread? All non-recyclable where I live.

Aluminum foil is easy enough to phase out of the kitchen. Replace plastic grocery sacks with sturdy reusable bags. But you don’t get to choose the plastics that come with your favorite foods and products.

Our local recycling facilities accept #1 and #2 plastics with “neck and shoulders.” But pharmacy prescription bottles lack shoulders, and most are #5 plastic or unmarked. I felt guilty about tossing them, so I squirreled them away in the pantry. That was Plan A. When they took over an entire shelf, it was time to move to Plan B.

The web is full of ideas for reusing prescription bottles. A few that stood out to me:

• Organize office supplies (paper clips, thumb tacks);
• Store coins for the car wash or laundromat;
• Organize craft supplies;
• Sort tiny hardware (nuts, bolts, washers);
• Crafts (make sure kids understand what’s a toy and what isn’t);
• Mini first-aid kit;
• Store plastic grocery sacks in purse or vehicle glove compartment.

But most of us only have so many thumbtacks and paper clips. It’s true that some missions and humanitarian groups have occasionally accepted pill bottle and medication donations, but a good long-term solution must involve reducing the amount of non-recyclable plastic that come into our homes.

We switched from a mail-order pharmacy to a local one that will package a several-month supply in one bottle. Be aware, though, that using insurance may affect the amount of medication that can be dispensed at one time.

How do you handle non-recyclables? Do you have more ideas for prescription bottles?