Are Perfume Bottles Recyclable?

Are Perfume Bottles Recyclable?

 

Recycling is something we should all do more. Before you go ahead and throw away your empty perfume bottle, it is a good idea to think of ways in which you can reuse it.

 

Is glass in perfume bottles recyclable? If your council recycles glass, there is no reason why you should not put your empty perfume bottle in the glass recycling. However, there is more to perfume bottle recycling than meets the eye.

 

But, before diving into the world of perfume bottle recycling, we are taking a quick at the history of perfume bottles. Modern branded bottles are something relatively new.

 

The Launch of the First Perfume Bottle

 

It is not clear when the first branded perfume bottle was launched. The idea of named perfumed bottles likely originated in France after 1850.

 

From what we know, it seems that branded perfume bottles only became mainstream after the 1930s. Before that date, most ladies used atomisers.

 

When you ran out of your favourite scent, you would take your atomiser to your perfume shop and they would top it up for you. The practice still goes on in the Near and Middle East today. The bazaars of Egypt are full of perfume shops that happily sell you an empty perfume bottle or top up your existing one.

 

In many ways, this is what we are going back to. In the future, it is likely that we see major brands launch high-quality atomisers that are easy to reuse. Some brands have already launched refillable bottles.

 

Top Reasons You Should Recycle Your Perfume Bottle

 

Can I make money out of my used perfume bottles? Yes, you can. Perfume bottles are collectible. Some brands are more collectible than others.

 

Selling Perfume Bottles for Cash

 

Selling perfume bottles for cash is one way of making the most out of your bottle. Some perfume bottles are worth more than others. Top brands such as Chanel, Dior and Hermes sell well.

 

Other popular brands include Police and Jean Paul Gaultier. If you have an empty Gloria Vanderbilt bottle or Nina Ricci LÁir Du Temps, you are in for a bigger payday. Nina Ricci LÁir de Temps bottles are rare - they don’t stay for sale for very long.

 

Kenzo perfume bottles are also very collectible. They make great flower vases once you remove the sprayer.

 

List your empty perfume bottle under empty perfume bottles on eBay but don’t forget to set a reserve.

 

If you don’t fancy listing your empty perfume bottles on eBay, you could try selling them at your local car boot fair. One word of warning if you are planning on doing this. Collectors know what they are worth. Don’t make the mistake of selling your bottle too cheap.

 

Why Do People Buy Old Perfume Bottles?

 

People buy old perfume bottles for many reasons. Stop and think about it and you soon realise you can use old bottles for many purposes in everyday life.

 

Not only are old perfume bottles collectible in themselves. Once the perfume is gone, you can use them for many other practical purposes. They make great bud vases and decorative objects.

 

Perfume Bottles as Decorative Objects

 

Bottles aren’t only used for personal decorations. Many stylists and set designers also use perfume bottles when designing sets. Even photographers buy used perfume bottles as props. The market for your used perfume bottle is pretty endless. Hanging onto it is a better idea than thinking about putting in the bin or recycling it immediately once it’s empty.

 

You can use your bottles in your home in many different ways. We talked about bud vases, but you can use them in other ways as well.

 

If you use reed diffusers to make your home smell nice, you can use your perfume bottle as a holder. Adding small fairy lights to a bottle makes an interesting display.

 

You can also use them as candle holders, objects dárte and name holders for your dinner party. There are many ways in which you can turn empty perfume bottles into a bit of a talking point.

 

I like to fill smaller perfume bottles with glitter and use them as name holders. Larger bottles are better for fairy lights, flower vases and candle holders.

 

You can also paint your bottles. Most perfume bottles have some kind of pattern on them. Make the most of the pattern to create a decorative object.

 

Of course, you need to buy glass paints. The good news is that glass paints have come a long way in recent years. You can now buy specialist pens that make painting on glass easier.

 

Don’t assume it is only top brands that have cornered the market. Perfume bottles from companies such as Avon are also popular with collectors and crafts people.

 

Empty perfume bottles are becoming so popular as collectibles that they are popping up on social media platforms. When I am looking for new ideas, I often search for what to do with empty perfume bottles on Pinterest. You can also check out Reddit for ideas.

 

What Happens With My Perfume Bottle?

 

What happens with my perfume bottles when I put them in the recycling?

 

Here is the sad truth about perfume bottles you put in recycling. Despite many local authorities and councils claiming they recycle them, your empty bottles often end up in a landfill.

 

Why does that happen? Unless you have removed the metal top part of the bottle and the paper label, the recycling centre thinks it is too much hard work to recycle your bottle. They would have to remove the metal top and the label. This takes manpower which they probably don’t have.

 

If you don’t want to rethink the way you can reuse your perfume bottle or sell it, you need to remove the label and all metal parts completely. Only put the glass bottle itself in the glass recycling. It is also a good idea to make sure no remaining perfume is present.

 

In other words, you don’t want to give the recycling centre an excuse to not recycle your empty perfume bottle. As we are encouraged to reuse objects more, the best alternative is to not put your perfume bottle in the recycling. As mentioned, you never know what is going to become collectible in the future.

 

How Do I Start Collecting Perfume Bottles?

 

One of the best ways of recycling perfume bottles is to start your own collection.

 

Classic perfume bottles are worth a surprising amount of money. Just like other glass collectibles including Nutella glass jars, they are increasing in value.

 

The best way to start your collection is close to home. First, check what bottles you have. There are some bottles that are less collectible than others. That does not mean you should throw them away. Even if your perfume is an everyday perfume such as Elizabeth Arden White Tea or Green Tea, the bottle is worth hanging onto.

 

When a perfume brand changes the design of a bottle, the old style often increases in value. If a manufacturer goes out of business, your bottle is worth even more.

 

Why Collect Perfume Bottles?

 

Many collectors are just as interested in the history of certain designer brands. Vintage clothes and bags from Dior and Chanel are collectible. Most of us would find collecting vintage clothes expensive.

 

Collecting perfume bottles or cosmetic jars from top brands is much more affordable. For many, perfume bottles are part of social history. The Victoria and Albert Museum in London holds perfume bottles in its collection.

 

Turning to eBay is easy, but unless you are lucky, you are unlikely to pick up any bargains on the site. The same goes for auction rooms. Perfume bottles for sale in auctions are often expensive.

 

If you want to sell your perfume bottles, auctions and eBay are good places to try. Always remember to set a reserve.

 

Look out for vintage perfume bottles. The tops and working mechanisms of vintage bottles and atomisers were often made from silver.

 

Silver is going up in value which means your perfume bottle may have a silver value as well as a collectible value.

 

Best Places to Buy Perfume Bottles

 

Yes, there are perfume addicts that buy every new perfume that is launched to get hold of the bottle. If you are passionate about perfume and fragrances, it is certainly worth checking out new launches. When top brands such as Hermes, Dior and Chanel launch a new scent, buying a first edition is worth it.

 

Also, if a brand launches a limited edition of a scent, you should think about investing in the bottle.

 

Otherwise, the best places to buy classic and vintage perfume bottles are car boot sales and charity shops. You should also check out antique shops. The downside of antique shops is that most dealers are only too aware that the perfume bottles they have for sale are worth something.

 

Are All Vintage Perfume Bottles Branded?

 

Not all vintage and classic perfume bottles are branded. Remember that many ladies used to visit their favourite perfume house or perfumer to have their atomiser topped up.

 

If you come across antique-looking bottles which are not branded, you should snap them up depending on the price.

 

How Do You Know It Is a Vintage Perfume Bottle?

 

Older perfume bottles from brands have numbers engraved on the base. Pick the bottle up, if it feels heavy and has numbers engraved on the bottom, it is likely to be a vintage bottle.

 

Top brands including Dior and Chanel continued to engrave authentication information on the bottom of their bottles for a long time. Checking for numbers is always a good idea even on newer bottles.

 

Vintage bottles come in many different colours. Don’t assume that a perfume bottle is not genuine because it is not clear. Leading glass manufacturers often made perfume bottles. Look out for colours including blue, yellow, lilac, green and red.

 

Bottles may also have a label on the back. The label often indicates the name of the manufacturer and perhaps a serial number. If the front label has fallen off or been removed, a bottle with a label on the back is still worth something. What many collectors are ultimately after is the iconic shape of the bottle.

 

Red vintage perfume bottles contain an element of gold. They are rare. If you find one at a good price, you should buy it straight away.

 

How Do I Store Perfume Bottles?

 

When the bottles still have perfume in them, you should store them under ambient conditions. The temperature should not be too warm or too cold. Room temperature works best.

 

Even if you are using the perfume in the bottle, you should think about keeping the box. Perfume bottles in their original boxes are worth more than the bottle on its own.

 

Once you have finished using the perfume, you should keep the bottle safe. It is a good idea to have a dedicated display unit.

When you collect perfume bottles to sell, you should keep the bottles in a cupboard so they are not damaged. Monitor the world of perfume and perfume bottles regularly. Top auction houses including Christie's London have specialist perfume and perfume bottle auctions.

 

Should I Use the Perfume?

 

Most perfumes do have a shelf life. If you buy a vintage bottle or are not sure about the age of the perfume, it is best not to use it.

 

If it still smells okay, do a skin test to make sure you don’t have a negative reaction. When it is okay, there is no reason you should not use it.

 

Perfumes are easy to use in burners. Don’t forget that perfumes are oil and alcohol-based. Unless they contain hazardous materials they should be okay for general use - maybe not just on your skin.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Yes, it would be nice to think that the glass in the perfume bottles we put in the recycling is used again. Unless we clean the bottles and remove the plastic and metal parts - most perfume glass is not recycled. It is better to think about what you can do with the bottle instead. Who knows? Your perfume bottle collection could be worth something one day.