How can I reuse or recycle pump action bottles?

pump_action_bottle180.jpgWe’ve had an email from Katerina. She’s been busy posting lots of useful comments around the site lately – including on the pump action spray page – but she’s got a suggestion that’s just a little different from that:

My boyfriend has an eczema and he uses a lot of emollient, creams and liquid soap that comes in pump dispensers, some specialised emollients come from pharmacist in VERY big bottles with pumps. As you can imagine – he goes through a lot of them, and I think of the ways to re-use them.

I keep dreaming of how good would it be to be able to have stations in pharmacies and supermarkets to re-fill your pump dispensers (but obviously – this is too much to ask for).

The two organic shops near us allow you to refill Ecover pump bottles in store with more of the liquid soap/washing-up liquid – but I don’t know if you’d be able to refill other random bottles.

So any other suggestions?

(Photo by nyuszika)

Related Categories

bathroom, household, items, packaging

Search for other related items



10 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle pump action bottles?”


  1. We decant plant food into pump action bottles and use them to measure out plant food into a watering can. It’s dead easy to calibrate.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Most places that sell soaps/cleaning products in bulk will let you do it with whatever containers you have.

    Pump bottles are also really useful for dish soap.

  3. Megan says:

    They could also be useful for home-made cleaning solutions. Or salad dressing! Rinse them out well and you’ve got a much improved salad dressing or condiment pump.

  4. Katerina says:

    Thanks Megan! this is great – I can see my salad dressings and mayo and ketchup migrating to the smaller bottles!

  5. Gulia says:

    Fill it with paint that is not too thick, and then pouring it out on a surface while making an art project or painting will cause no mess.
    You’ll have to lean a bottle a bit.

  6. Gulia says:

    Try to use it to replenish oil in a car. Small portions and small spout will let you to do it neat and precise.

  7. Medeea says:

    Well, the obvious: liquid soap.
    I have a large 1 lt bottle with dispenser that sits in the shower, for the shower gel. Saves a lot of time, not having to maneuver the bottles.
    Another one (250 ml) holds olive oil, and I use it after shower.

    I think they could be handy for anything with cosmetic use: after shave, face wash, make up remover etc.

  8. Janet says:

    Does anyone have or know where I can get a Foam soap dispenser, if you have one and would like to find a new home for it I will pay postage.

    I am in england

    • scaussie says:

      Hi Janet,

      my 3yo dd got one in the kids section at the chemist, think it was a Dora the Explorer one and cost about £1.

      We keep filling it with 1/4 liquid soap and 3/4 water and this is what she uses to clean her hands. Less waste and means I don’t have to fork out a fortune while she is learning less is more lol



Leave a Reply to Medeea

Your name
Your email (it will not be published. If you want people to contact you, leave your email address in the message too.)
Your website (if you've got one)