England
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Empty, rinse and put the lid back on; from October 2027 drinks bottles carry a 20p deposit you can reclaim at shops.
England-wide guidance, checked 26 Sep 2026. View the source
Empty medicine bottle (not sure which type)
Also called: medicine bottle, empty medicine bottle, empty pharmacy bottle, pharmacy bottle, prescription bottle, empty prescription bottle
Recycle at home
National rules. Choose your council to see its answer.
Your council's answer
The answer can differ by council. Choose your council to see its rules for this item.
How to prepare it
- Empty bottles only: take any leftover medicine back to a pharmacy, and never flush it or put it in a bin
Where to take it
Place data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
Get the app
Snap a photo instead of typing, and get a reminder the evening before bin day.
National rules
The answer isn't the same in every UK nation. Choose your council to see the one that applies to you.
Scotland
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Empty, rinse and put the lid back on; from October 2027 drinks bottles are due to carry a 20p deposit you can reclaim at shops.
Scotland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
Wales
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Empty, rinse and put the lid back on; from October 2027 Wales's deposit return scheme will also let you return drinks bottles at shops.
Wales-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
Northern Ireland
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Empty, rinse and put the lid back on; from October 2027 drinks bottles will carry a deposit you can reclaim at shops.
Northern Ireland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
Rules in the rest of the UK
England
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Empty, rinse and put the lid back on; from October 2027 drinks bottles carry a 20p deposit you can reclaim at shops.
England-wide guidance, checked 26 Sep 2026. View the source
Scotland
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Empty, rinse and put the lid back on; from October 2027 drinks bottles are due to carry a 20p deposit you can reclaim at shops.
Scotland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
Wales
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Empty, rinse and put the lid back on; from October 2027 Wales's deposit return scheme will also let you return drinks bottles at shops.
Wales-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
Northern Ireland
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Empty, rinse and put the lid back on; from October 2027 drinks bottles will carry a deposit you can reclaim at shops.
Northern Ireland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
What is the bottle made of?
The answer depends on the type. Choose the one that matches.
Recycle This isn't run by or endorsed by any council or the government. Councils change their services, so check anything important with your council.