Maya Ellison
Plastic garden pots are a convenient and durable option for gardeners, but they can be difficult to dispose of responsibly. While most plastic bottles are recyclable, many local council recycling programs do not accept plastic garden pots in their curbside recycling bins. This is because garden pots are often made from a different type of plastic than household containers. However, there are still ways to recycle plastic garden pots properly and reduce waste.
How to recycle plastic garden pots
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic garden pots accepted by retailers | B&Q, Dobbies Garden Centre |
| Plastic garden pots can be recycled at | Local Household Waste Recycling Centre, some out-of-home recycling points |
| Plastic garden pots can be reused for | Planting seedlings |
| Plastic garden pots can be replaced with | Terracotta-coloured pots, paper and fibre pots, egg boxes, biodegradable pots made from toilet roll tubes, pots made from old newspapers |
| Plastic garden pots can be reused by | Offering them for free on social media, giving them to allotment holders, fellow gardeners or a gardening club |
| Plastic garden pots should be | Clean and free of dirt, food residue, and plastic film before recycling |
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What You'll Learn
- Rinse plastic pots before recycling to avoid food residue contamination
- Return plastic plant pots to garden centres, like B&Q, for recycling
- Reuse plastic pots for planting seedlings, like toilet roll tubes
- Buy recycled plastic pots from garden centres or online
- Recycle plastic pots in your curbside recycling cart or at a local centre
Rinse plastic pots before recycling to avoid food residue contamination
Plastic garden pots can be recycled, but they are often made from a different type of plastic than the plastic used for household bottles, tubs, and trays. Before recycling, ensure that the pots are clean and free of any dirt, plants, or food residue. Leftover food residue can contaminate other recyclables, so it is important to give the pots a quick rinse before placing them in the recycling bin. You can use leftover washing-up water for this.
It is worth noting that plastic garden pots are usually not accepted in kerbside recycling bins, boxes, or bags. However, they can be disposed of in your local council's kerbside residual bin or at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre. Some retailers, such as B&Q, operate their own recycling schemes and may accept used plastic plant pots. Alternatively, you can offer them for free on social media sites or to local allotment holders.
Another option is to choose pots made from recycled plastic or more environmentally friendly materials, such as terracotta. Terracotta pots are long-lasting and can be bought at most garden centres. If you prefer reusable options, consider using yoghurt pots or other small food containers for planting. You can also create your own pots from old newspaper or egg boxes, which are biodegradable.
When recycling plastic garden pots, keep in mind that labels and lids can usually be left on, but plastic film and absorbent pads must be removed and disposed of in the waste bin. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your plastic garden pots are properly recycled, reducing waste and contributing to a more sustainable future.
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Return plastic plant pots to garden centres, like B&Q, for recycling
Plastic plant pots are often made from a different type of plastic than the kind used for household bottles, tubs, and trays. As a result, they can't be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin. However, there are several ways to recycle your plastic plant pots, including returning them to garden centres like B&Q.
B&Q has launched a plastic plant pot recycling program across over 100 of its stores in the UK. The company has set up recycling stations in its stores where customers can drop off their old, damaged, broken, or whole plastic plant pots to be recycled. The pots are collected and taken to a reprocessing facility where they are turned into plastic pellets, which are then used to make new plant pots. These recycled plant pots are sold at B&Q for £4 and are weather-resistant and made of 100% recycled plastic.
To find out if your local B&Q store has a recycling station, you can check their website at DIY.com and search for your area. If your nearest B&Q does not offer this service, you can try other garden centres, as some of them have similar schemes. For example, Dobbies provides plastic pot recycling bins in collaboration with the planter brand elho across 69 of their stores.
In addition to returning your plastic plant pots to garden centres, you can also ask the retailer you bought your plants from if they will recycle used plastic plant pots. Alternatively, you can offer them for free on social media sites or to your local allotment holders. The Horticultural Trade Association (HTA) has also launched a national plant pot take-back scheme, enabling its members to send trays and pots for recycling.
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Reuse plastic pots for planting seedlings, like toilet roll tubes
Plastic garden pots can be reused in a variety of ways, including as seedling planters. Here are some tips for reusing plastic pots for planting seedlings:
- Size and Stackability: Plastic garden pots come in various sizes, and their uniform shape makes them easy to stack and store. Keep a range of sizes handy, especially smaller ones, which are perfect for planting seedlings.
- Drainage: Ensure the pots have adequate drainage holes. If they don't, you can carefully drill holes to prevent waterlogging your seedlings.
- Mulching: Plastic pots can be used as a protective cover when mulching. Place them over your seedlings before dumping the mulch, then remove them when finished to avoid burying the young plants.
- Frost Protection: During cold nights, cover your seedlings with overturned plastic pots to provide insulation and protect them from frost damage. Remove the pots once the temperature rises the next day.
- Pot-in-Pot Technique: For added flexibility, try the pot-in-pot method. Place a smaller pot inside a larger one before filling it with soil and seedlings. This creates air space, making the larger container lighter and reducing the amount of potting soil needed.
- Sharing and Exchange: Plastic pots are excellent for sharing seedlings with fellow gardeners or community groups. You can also offer them on platforms like Craigslist or Freecycle to find new homes for your extra pots and seedlings.
Remember, reusing plastic pots for planting seedlings is a creative and sustainable way to reduce waste and contribute to a greener environment.
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Buy recycled plastic pots from garden centres or online
If you are looking to buy recycled plastic pots for your garden, there are a few options available to you. You can purchase them from garden centres or online.
Many garden centres are now offering recycled plastic pots, and some are even operating their own recycling schemes. For example, B&Q stores in the UK have a recycling container that accepts plastic plant pots, as well as small electrical items, batteries, light bulbs and fluorescent tubes. The Home Depot in the US also accepts any plastic garden container in their garden centres for recycling and sells recycled plastic pots.
You can also find recycled plastic pots online. For example, Ocean Plastic Pots manufactures 100% recycled and recyclable plant pots from rope and fishing nets collected in Scotland. They offer a full collection of sustainable plant pots inspired by the sea.
When purchasing recycled plastic pots, look for options that are fully recyclable and made from materials that have been sourced and manufactured locally to reduce the carbon footprint. Some recycled plastic pots also offer additional benefits such as UV resistance, so colours won't fade and materials won't break down.
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Recycle plastic pots in your curbside recycling cart or at a local centre
Plastic garden pots can be recycled at some out-of-home recycling points. Before recycling, ensure that the pots are clean and free of any dirt, food residue, or plants. Left-over food residue can contaminate other recyclables. Labels and lids can be left on, but plastic film and absorbent pads must be removed and put in the waste bin.
If you have pots that could be reused, consider passing them on to someone else. You can offer them to fellow gardeners, local allotment holders, or via a buy-nothing group. You can also recycle plastic plant pots at 68 branches of Dobbies Garden Centre and B&Q stores.
In the UK, plastic plant trays and pots can be recycled in your curbside recycling cart. They can also be disposed of in your local council's kerbside residual bin or at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
A national plant pot take-back scheme has been launched by the Horticultural Trade Association (HTA), which will enable its members to send trays and pots for recycling.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastic garden pots can be recycled. However, they are often made of a different type of plastic than the plastic used for household bottles, tubs, and trays, so they cannot be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin.
You can recycle plastic garden pots at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre. You can also take them to 68 branches of Dobbies Garden Centre, or to B&Q stores, as they operate their own recycling schemes.
Yes, make sure that they are clean of dirt and plants before recycling. You can use leftover washing-up water to rinse the pots.
No, plastic film must be removed from pots and trays and put in the waste bin.
No, black plastic is not recyclable and should be put in your normal waste bin.
