Heidi Norton
Throwing away perfume bottles can be heartbreaking, especially considering the many ways they can be reused, recycled, or repurposed. From upcycling into decorative items to refilling with new fragrances, there are several eco-friendly alternatives to simply tossing them in the trash. With a bit of creativity and some DIY skills, old perfume bottles can be transformed into beautiful and functional pieces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Disposing of perfume bottles | Place the bottles in a garbage bin or cart for collection. Check local laws and waste management ordinances for guidance on how to dispose of potentially hazardous materials. |
| Recycling perfume bottles | Wash the bottle with vinegar and dish detergent, then recycle with other glass items. Some cosmetic stores and bottle banks accept donations of perfume bottles. |
| Repurposing perfume bottles | Perfume bottles can be used as decorative items, vases, or for storing other liquids such as alcohol or dishwashing liquid. They can also be used in DIY projects, such as creating chandeliers or lamps. |
| Donating perfume | Unused perfume can be donated to charities, women's shelters, or given to friends and family. |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling perfume bottles
Empty perfume bottles can be reused in a variety of creative ways. Some of the ways to recycle perfume bottles are:
Upcycling
Perfume bottles are great for upcycling because people are always looking for pretty glass bottles to use. You can pass your bottles on to someone else through a free online marketplace. Create a posting for your perfume bottle on Freecycle or Craigslist. You can also offer your bottles to local groups on Facebook or BUNZ, a popular trading app.
Refillable bottles
Refillable scents are a great way to eliminate unnecessary waste, and you won't have to get rid of a beautiful bottle.
Creative DIY
You can use your empty perfume bottles to create decorative items such as chandeliers, lamps, or sculptures. You can also fill them with different coloured beads, tie a ribbon around the neck, or fill them with glitter.
Donate to a charity shop
Groups like Cancer Research UK, PDSA, and the British Heart Foundation all accept sealed, unused bottles of perfume.
Use as a flower vase
Perfume bottles can be reused as flower vases.
Use as a car freshener
You can use your perfume as a car freshener by simply opening it and letting the scent diffuse, or spraying it on a cloth and leaving it in the car.
Use in aromatherapy
You can spritz perfume into the steam coming off a tap when preparing a bath, or spray it into the air directly before a hot shower.
Make scented lotion
You can add a few drops of perfume to an unscented moisturiser or lotion to make your own scented cream.
Before reusing or recycling perfume bottles, it is important to clean them thoroughly. To eliminate the scent, wash the bottle with warm white vinegar, then rinse with water and wash with dish detergent.
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Reusing perfume bottles
There are many ways to reuse and repurpose old perfume bottles. Some common methods include:
Recycling
Before throwing away your perfume bottle, check if it can be recycled. Look for a triangular arrow symbol with a number inside on the bottom of the bottle. If you can't recycle it through your local recycling centre, contact the manufacturer directly and see if they accept their bottles back for recycling.
Upcycling
Perfume bottles, especially the decorative ones, can be reused as statement pieces or display items in your home. You can also turn them into something useful, such as:
- Flower vases
- Candle holders
- Reed diffusers
- Oil burners
- Mini planters for herbs
- Containers for fairy lights
- Bathroom storage
Refill and reuse
You can also refill your perfume bottle with a new scent or make your own perfume by mixing different scent notes. Alternatively, you can fill the bottle with a DIY room spray or aromatherapy spray made with essential oils and water.
Donate or regift
If you don't want to keep the bottle, you can pass it on to someone else through a free online marketplace or donate it to a local group or charity.
Other creative uses
There are many other creative ways to reuse old perfume or its bottle:
- Scented letters
- Car freshener
- Scented lotion
- Deodorising the carpet
- Room freshener
- Scented linen
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Donating perfume bottles
There are many ways to donate perfume bottles instead of throwing them away. Firstly, you can repurpose the bottles by using them as vases, diffusers, or decorative pieces. You can also pass them on to someone else through a free online marketplace such as Freecycle, Craigslist, Facebook local groups, or BUNZ. If you are based in the UK, Anglo Doorstep Collections offers a unique service where they collect donations of perfume and toiletries directly from your home and donate them to charities supporting women and children who have been victims of domestic violence.
If you are looking to donate the perfume inside the bottle, Project Beauty Share in Spokane, Washington accepts new, unopened, and unexpired cosmetics, hair and skincare products, nail polish, perfume samples, and personal care items. Beauty Bus Foundation in Santa Monica, California, accepts new, sealed products that are at least six months from their expiration date, but they cannot accept perfumes.
Before donating perfume bottles, it is important to clean them thoroughly to eliminate any scent. This can be done by rinsing the bottle with warm white vinegar, shaking it for 30 seconds, and letting it soak for at least an hour before rinsing with water. The bottle can then be washed with dish detergent and hot water.
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Selling perfume bottles
There are many ways to sell empty perfume bottles. Firstly, it is important to clean the bottle with white vinegar or soap and water to remove any scent and residue. Next, you can decorate the bottle with paint, adhesive lace, rhinestones, feathers, or jewellery. You can also fill the bottle with different coloured beads, glitter, or shells. These decorated bottles can be sold as home decor or ornaments.
Another option is to turn the empty perfume bottle into a lamp or a vase. You can also cut the glass and assemble multiple bottles together to create a sculpture or totem. These upcycled creations can then be sold at craft stalls or online marketplaces such as eBay, Craigslist, or Freecycle.
Some rare or vintage perfume bottles can sell for higher prices, ranging from a few pounds to hundreds of pounds. However, it is important to note that decorated Chanel bottles cannot be sold due to copyright issues.
In addition to selling the bottles themselves, you can also create new products using the empty bottles. For example, you can make candles or scented lotions using the old perfume bottles as containers. These value-added products may attract buyers who are interested in unique, handmade goods.
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Disposing of perfume bottles
There are several ways to dispose of perfume bottles. Firstly, check your local waste management ordinances to ensure that you are disposing of your perfume bottles legally and safely. Some cities and counties have specific recommendations for disposing of potentially hazardous materials, such as perfume.
If your local ordinances allow it, you can place your perfume bottles in the trash. Make sure that all lids, nozzles, and caps are secure to prevent any spillage. You can also take them to a problem waste drop-off center.
Alternatively, you can recycle your perfume bottles. As long as they are empty, you can place them with the rest of your glass recycling. Some regions have specific rules and regulations that make recycling perfume bottles easier, so check online for more information. You can also donate glass perfume bottles to a bottle bank or take them to cosmetics stores that accept empty perfume bottles.
Another option is to upcycle your perfume bottles. You can clean them with white vinegar and then decorate them with paint, adhesive lace, rhinestones, or other materials. You can also fill them with home fragrance and leave them open to scent a room or use them as a flower vase. Perfume bottles can also be used to create sculptures or lamps.
You can also pass your perfume bottles on to someone else through a free online marketplace or give them to friends and family. Some collectors may also be interested in purchasing rare, old, or iconic perfume bottles.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to repurpose old perfume bottles, from upcycling them into decorative items to selling them to collectors. You can also recycle the glass, but make sure to check your local waste management ordinances first.
First, make sure the bottle is empty and clean it with white vinegar. Then, check your local recycling protocols to see if you can recycle the glass. If not, you can donate it to a bottle bank or a charity shop.
You can get creative and turn your old perfume bottle into a vase, a lamp, or even a piece of art. You can also fill it with beads, glitter, or home fragrance and use it as a decorative item.
You can use up leftover perfume by spritzing it into a steamy bath or onto a cloth in your car. You can also add a few drops to an unscented moisturiser to create your own scented cream. Alternatively, you can donate or regift the perfume to friends, family, or a women's shelter.
