This email claims that a large number of bottle caps, some say 1,000, others 1,500 or even 10,000, can be redeemed for one chemotherapy treatment for a patient in need. The email, which began making rounds in the USA in 2008, generated several news stories in Virginia and West Virginia, some of which repeated the claims while others refuted them.

After extensive research, the American Cancer Society has concluded that the Plastic Bottle Caps for Chemo program is a hoax. The origin of the hoax remains unclear, but it is similar to other “cash for trash” hoaxes that have circulated worldwide for years. One national hair and skin care company has said it will recycle the caps for use in their future products. You can read more about that program here..