How to Dispose of Perfume

Last Updated: June 3, 2021 References

Unwanted, expired, or empty perfume bottles can take up a lot of unnecessary space in your home. Since perfumes are made with a lot of strong ingredients, you should never pour any unused perfume down the drain. Although there isn’t a set global standard for tossing and recycling your fragrances, many regions have specific rules and regulations that make the process a lot easier. Search online to see what the best options are in your area so you can make an informed decision when you go to dispose of your perfume.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Disposing of the Liquid

1
Place your bottles in the trash if your town recommends it. Collect all of your unwanted perfume bottles in one place. Place these bottles in a garbage bin or cart so they can be collected later on. Make sure that all lids, nozzles, and caps are secure so the perfume doesn’t spill.^{[1]
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- Only toss out your perfume if your city or county specifically recommends it.
Note: Not all cities have the same laws for how you should dispose of potentially hazardous materials, which includes perfume. Check you local waste management ordinances before doing anything to make sure that you're doing it legally and safely.
2
Store your perfume in a covered container if you’re dropping it off somewhere. Check that the lid, nozzle, or cap on your perfume is secured tightly to the bottle or can. If your city or county specifies, arrange your unused or unwanted perfume bottles in a plastic bin, making sure that they won’t spill or tip over. Make sure to keep your perfume in its original container so there’s no confusion about what it is.^{[2]
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- Some places won’t accept large containers of perfume.
- Check your town or municipal site to see if your local government has any specific requirements about perfume disposal.^{[3]
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3
Leave your perfume at a problem waste drop-off center if there’s one nearby. After placing your perfume in a sturdy container, drive your unwanted bottles to a drop-off facility designated by your local government. Leave your bin at this facility so the employees can properly dispose of your perfume in a way that won’t hurt the environment.^{[4]
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- These places are sometimes called hazardous waste plants.^{[5]
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- Some areas host collection events, which allow you to drop off your unwanted perfumes and other household waste on a certain day.^{[6]
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Call a hazardous waste collection group to see if they’ll pick up your perfume. Check online to see if there’s a municipal group that will stop by your home at a later date. To make an appointment, dial the provided number to schedule an at-home pick-up.^{[7]
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- You may need to be at your home when the pick-up group arrives.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Recycling the Glass

1
Toss your empty perfume bottles in the recycling bin. Collect your empty perfume bottles in 1 area, then place them with the rest of your recycling. As long as there’s no fragrance inside of them, you can recycle your empty bottles with the rest of your unwanted glass.
- If you aren’t certain about your town or region’s recycling protocols, check online for more information.
- Depending on where you live, you might be able to donate glass perfume bottles to a bottle bank.^{[8]
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Give any unused perfume to a charity shop. Search online to find stores that accept donations of new or unused fragrances. Check that the seal on your perfume is intact before giving it to 1 of these organizations, or else they might not accept the bottles.^{[9]
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- Groups like Cancer Research UK, PDSA, and British Heart Foundation all accept sealed, unused bottles of perfume.
- Some cosmetics stores will accept your empty perfume bottles.^{[10]
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3
Donate your unused perfume to a woman’s shelter. Visit your local women's shelter and ask about the types of donation items they accept. If they accept personal care products, set up a time to donate your unused perfume to the organization.^{[11]
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- For example, groups like Connections for Abused Women and their Children as well as Sarah’s Circle both accept new or unused perfume bottles.
4
Offer any unwanted perfume to your friends and family. Talk to the loved ones in your life and see if they’d be interested in your old beauty products. Explain that you no longer want your perfume, and that you’ll likely donate or recycle it unless they want it.^{[12]
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- Perfume can also be a great gift!
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Repurpose your perfume bottle into a flower vase. Fill an empty bottle of perfume halfway with water, then place a few flower stems inside. Leave these bottles around your home as a fun, decorative accent!^{[13]
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Tip: You can also use empty perfume bottles as fun hanging decorations! Fill your bottles with colorful beads, then use a chain or wire to hang them from the wall or ceiling.