Anisha Riggs
Empty perfume bottles are often too beautiful to throw away, and with a little imagination, they can be given a new lease of life. If you're looking to repurpose your old perfume bottles, the first step is to check if your local recycling plant accepts them. If not, there are plenty of ways to upcycle them into something practical or decorative. From candle holders to mini planters, reed diffusers to bud vases, the options are endless. You could even fill them with small treats or custom scents as party favors for your wedding guests. If you're not feeling crafty, you can always pass your bottles on to someone else through a free online marketplace or donate them to a local organization.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recycling | Check the bottom of the bottle for a recycling symbol. If you see a number 70, 71, or 72, recycle the bottle with your other glass. |
| Repurpose | Use as a vase, candle holder, decorative storage container, reed diffuser, mini planter, light feature, etc. |
| Donate | Pass your bottles on to someone else through a free online marketplace such as Craigslist, Freecycle, or eBay. |
| Sell | Sell your bottles on an online marketplace such as Facebook, Craigslist, or eBay. |
| Dispose | Leave at a problem waste drop-off center or contact a hazardous waste collection group. |
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What You'll Learn
Sell or donate bottles to crafters or collectors
If your local recycling plant doesn't accept glass perfume bottles, you can try selling or donating them to crafters or collectors. Many people who DIY or create their own products are always on the lookout for pretty glass bottles to use. You can sell or donate your bottles to collectors or crafters by posting them on an online marketplace such as Facebook, Craigslist, or an auction site like eBay. Rare or ornate bottles can often sell for high prices, sometimes even up to $100. A site like Etsy is a great place to market your empty perfume bottles, as buyers on this site are specifically looking to repurpose materials for crafts or collections.
Before selling or donating your bottles, it is important to clean them out thoroughly to remove any residual perfume. You should also remove and discard the nozzle and plastic hose/pipe with pliers and put them in the regular trash, as these cannot be recycled.
If you are a crafter yourself, you can upcycle your old perfume bottles and turn them into practical or decorative items. For example, you can fill cleaned perfume bottles with lukewarm tap water and add slim buds such as baby's breath sprigs to create a pretty decorative accent for your home. You can also use the bottles to store homemade perfume or alcohol, especially amber-colored drinks like whiskey, which look refined in crystal or glass casings.
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Use as a vase, candle holder, or planter
Waste perfume bottles can be reused in a variety of ways, including as vases, candle holders, or planters. Here are some creative ways to transform your old perfume bottles into something new and functional:
Vase
Perfume bottles can be transformed into elegant mini bud vases. Simply remove the spray nozzle, clean the bottle thoroughly, and fill it with water. Add a few fresh blooms or a single stem of your favourite flower. Perfume bottles are perfect for displaying small flowers such as wildflowers, baby's breath, or a single magnolia blossom. This simple upcycling idea adds a touch of elegance and freshness to any room, such as your kitchen or bedroom.
Candle Holder
Another way to reuse perfume bottles is to turn them into unique candle holders. Choose a taper candle that fits securely into the open hole of the bottle. When the candle is lit, the melting wax will drip down the sides of the bottle, creating a romantic and appealing visual effect. You can also cluster several perfume bottle candle holders together to create a charming and cosy centerpiece for your dining table or any other space in your home.
Planter
Perfume bottles can also be converted into mini planters or terrariums. Start by removing the spray nozzle and giving the bottle a good clean. Then, add some soil or pebbles and choose a small plant, such as a succulent or an air plant, to pot inside. You can even add some fairy lights to create a magical glow and bring your bottle back to life. This is a perfect way to add a touch of greenery and brighten up your space.
By reusing waste perfume bottles, you not only create beautiful and functional pieces but also reduce waste and embrace sustainability.
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Make a reed diffuser or scent spray
To make a reed diffuser using a waste perfume bottle, you will first need to clean the bottle thoroughly. Spray any remaining perfume into the air or pour it down the drain. Fill the bottle with equal parts warm water and white vinegar, shake gently, and let it sit for an hour. Pour out the mixture and rinse the bottle with clean water. Use a bottle brush to clean the interior of the bottle with soap and hot water. Dry the bottle in direct sunlight for up to 24 hours.
Once the bottle is clean and dry, you can create your own custom scent by blending essential oils that appeal to you. Dilute your oil mixture with a neutral alcohol like vodka, or with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil. You can also add flower water to your mixture. A typical perfume recipe involves diluting 10-12 drops of essential oil with half as many drops of water, then adding 2 fluid ounces (59 ml) of alcohol. However, for a reed diffuser, you may want to adjust the amount of alcohol or use a different solvent altogether, as alcohol evaporates quickly and may result in a stronger scent than desired. You could experiment with using glycerine or another liquid with a high boiling point.
When you are happy with your scent mixture, use a funnel to pour it into your cleaned perfume bottle. Add your reeds and turn them after 10 minutes, then once a week for a scent boost.
Alternatively, you can use a waste perfume bottle to make a scent spray. Clean the bottle as described above, then fill it with your chosen scent. You can use a single perfume or blend different scents together. If you are using a strong perfume, you may want to dilute it with water or alcohol to adjust the strength. You could also use your perfume bottle to store and display homemade perfumes or other liquids such as whiskey.
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Turn into decorative storage containers
Empty perfume bottles can be used as decorative storage containers in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Beads, Bath Salts and Spices
Fill your cleaned perfume bottles with small decorative items such as beads, bath salts, powdered cosmetics or spices. This is a simple way to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your storage solutions.
Homemade Perfume or Essential Oils
Perfume bottles can be refilled with homemade perfume or essential oils. Dilute your oil mix with vodka or another neutral alcohol to create a subtle scent for pulse points. Alternatively, use the bottle for storing essential oils for aromatherapy.
Jewellery Holder
Perfume bottles can be used as unique jewellery holders. Place stud earrings or rings inside the bottle, or hang necklaces and bracelets around the neck of the bottle to prevent them from getting tangled.
Fairy Lights
If you have a wider-necked perfume bottle, fill it with fairy lights for a stylish and atmospheric finish.
Homemade Bath Salts, Room Sprays and Reed Diffusers
Perfume bottles can be used as containers for homemade bath salts, room sprays or reed diffusers. Fill the bottle with essential oils and water, and add reeds to create a stylish and eco-friendly way to fragrance your home.
Before using your perfume bottle for storage, ensure it has been thoroughly cleaned and dried. You can also decorate the bottle to add a personal touch or enhance its decorative appeal.
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Recycle, repurpose, or reuse the glass
Recycling old perfume bottles is an excellent way to protect ecosystems, save energy, and reduce waste sent to landfills. Before recycling, it is important to check if your local recycling center accepts glass perfume bottles. If they do, ensure that the bottle is properly cleaned and rinsed before placing it in your recycling bin with your other glass items. Most metal or plastic nozzles from perfume bottles cannot be recycled, so be sure to remove and discard these pieces separately.
If your local recycling plant does not accept glass perfume bottles, you can try selling or donating them instead. Online marketplaces like Freecycle or Craigslist are great platforms to pass on your empty or partially-filled perfume bottles to others who may find a use for them.
Perfume bottles are often too pretty to throw away, so consider repurposing them into functional or decorative items. One simple and elegant idea is to transform them into miniature flower vases. Remove any remaining perfume residue, clean the bottle thoroughly, and fill it with water before adding small flowers or cuttings. These dainty vases can add a charming touch to your home decor.
For bottles with a wide brim, you can fill them with fairy lights for a stylish and atmospheric finish. Alternatively, you can display your favorite perfume bottles as statement pieces or use them as reed diffusers by adding a carrier oil and your choice of perfume or essential oil.
With a little creativity, you can give your old perfume bottles a new lease of life and contribute to eco-friendly practices!
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