Ethan Clarke
Plastic waste is a growing concern, and plastic nursery pots are no exception. While it's tempting to toss them in the trash, these pots can be reused or recycled in various ways. Responsible gardeners can find creative solutions to repurpose these pots, from starting seedlings to constructing bird feeders. Alternatively, recycling programs like Lowe's or local garden centers offer dedicated options for plastic plant pots, though these may require prior cleaning and metal removal. With a bit of ingenuity and dedication, we can reduce the environmental impact of plastic nursery pots.
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What You'll Learn
Reuse as a bird feeder
Plastic nursery pots can be reused as bird feeders by following these steps:
Firstly, ensure that the plastic nursery pot is clean and sanitised. This can be done by brushing off any loose dirt, washing the pot in warm soapy water, and then soaking it in a mixture of bleach and water (a ratio of 1:9) for around 10 minutes. After soaking, rinse the pot with fresh water.
Next, cut some extra holes in the sides and bottom of the planter. Then, drill a hole in the centre of the pot and two saucers. Thread some rope through all the holes, with the bottom saucer acting as a seed catcher and the top saucer acting as a lid for the feeder. The rope can then be used to hang the feeder from a tree.
Before filling the feeder with bird seed, allow your children to decorate the bird feeder with non-toxic paint. If squirrels are an issue, take another plastic nursery pot, cut a hole in the centre of the bottom, and thread it upside down over the pole the feeder hangs on. Secure the pot with a clamp to prevent it from sliding down. The upturned pot will prevent squirrels from climbing the pole.
Another option is to create a birdhouse by measuring the mouth of the planter and cutting a wooden disc to fit snugly inside, adding a hole for the birds to enter and exit. Affix the birdhouse to a shaded tree or fence post. Alternatively, drill two holes vertically in the side of the pot, turn the pot upside down, and affix it to a wooden platform on a stand.
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Reuse as a bird bath
Plastic nursery pots can be reused to create an affordable bird bath for your garden. This is a fun and easy project that will provide water to your favourite backyard birds.
Firstly, you will need to find a good spot for the bird bath, preferably somewhere that is not too windy. You will then need to source some plant pot saucers, the plastic nursery pots themselves, and strong glue. You could also use epoxy glue or other outdoor adhesives that work on plastic. If you are using a terracotta pot, you will need waterproof glue or tile adhesive.
To create the bird bath, glue a saucer on top of an upturned planter. You can also stack planters on top of each other to create a taller bird bath. Allow the glue to cure for 24 hours. To weigh down the bird bath and add stability, fill the bottom pot with rocks or sand. You could also attach a piece of scrap wood to the bottom to keep it level.
Once the glue has cured, spray paint the bird bath with non-toxic, exterior paint. You can use bold colours to make the bird bath pop, or paint it to disguise the cheap plastic. When the paint has dried, add some water to the top saucer. You can add a rock or two as a landing spot for the birds, which will help to prevent small birds from drowning. To keep the bird bath clean, change the water weekly and add mosquito dunks to kill any larvae.
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Reuse as a sieve
Plastic nursery pots can be reused as a sieve to remove stones and other large debris from used soil that you want to reuse in your garden, containers, or for seed germination. Here's how to do it:
First, ensure that your plastic nursery pot is clean. To do this, brush off any loose dirt, wash the pot thoroughly in warm, soapy water, and then soak it in a 1:9 ratio of bleach and water for about 10 minutes. Rinse the pot with fresh water afterward.
Once your pot is clean, you can start sifting your soil. Place the pot over a larger container or surface that can catch the fine soil. As you pour the soil into the pot, the fine soil particles will fall through the drainage holes, while the larger debris, such as stones, will remain inside the pot.
You can also use the plastic nursery pot as a scooper and distributor for dirt, compost, or mulch. The drainage holes in the pot can also be utilized to spread lawn seed, fertilizer, or pest repellents evenly over your garden beds.
Additionally, you can modify your plastic nursery pot to create a shaker for fertilizer, animal repellent, or other granular materials. Simply cut off the bottom of the pot and scoop up the material you want to distribute. The holes at the bottom will allow for a slow and controlled release of the contents as you wave the pot over the desired area.
By reusing plastic nursery pots as sieves and soil distributors, you not only reduce waste but also create practical tools for gardening and soil preparation.
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Reuse as a shopping basket
Plastic nursery pots can be reused in a variety of ways, one of which is as a shopping basket. Here are some tips on how to do this:
Firstly, ensure that you clean and sanitise the pots before reuse. Brush off any loose dirt, wash thoroughly in warm soapy water, and then soak the pots in a bleach and water solution (a ratio of 1:9) for around 10 minutes. Rinse with fresh water afterwards.
Now that your pots are clean, you can start using them as shopping baskets. If you're harvesting vegetables, carrying plants, or simply collecting items in your garden, a large plastic nursery pot can be a great way to carry and collect items without having to spend money on a basket or bucket.
You can also use these pots when shopping for items other than garden produce. Take one or several cleaned nursery pots with you to the shops, and use them to carry your shopping items, just as you would a basket. This is a sustainable way to shop and avoids the use of single-use plastic bags.
If you want to get creative, you can decorate your nursery pot with non-toxic paint to give it a unique look. This is also a good way to disguise the fact that it's a reused plastic pot. You can also roughen the surface with sandpaper before painting to help the paint adhere better.
Remember, reusing plastic nursery pots is a great way to reduce waste and avoid adding more items to the landfill. By reusing these pots as shopping baskets, you're not only being practical but also helping the environment.
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Recycle at Home Depot
Plastic nursery pots can be recycled at Home Depot as part of their "Plant it Again" recycling program. The program, which was started in 2009, allows customers to bring their empty plastic plant pots to any Home Depot Garden Center nationwide for recycling. The pots are then sent to Home Depot's partner, East Jordan Plastics Inc., where they are turned into new pots, trays, and hanging baskets.
If you're looking for ways to reuse your plastic nursery pots at home, there are several clever ways to do so. Here are some ideas:
- Use them as planters: You can reuse plastic nursery pots as planters for new plants, especially if they will be hidden behind other containers or under vines. You can even paint them to give them a new look.
- Create a permanent planting hole: Dig a hole and insert a black plastic pot that is larger than the containers you plan to swap out seasonally. This makes it easier to sink and lift the seasonal plants without disturbing their roots.
- Make a bird feeder: Cut holes in the sides and bottom of the pot, and thread rope through them. The bottom saucer will catch extra seeds, while the top saucer becomes the lid. You can even have your kids decorate the feeder with non-toxic paint before filling it with birdseed.
- Create a squirrel barrier: Cut a hole in the center of the bottom of a plastic nursery pot and thread it upside down over a bird feeder pole. This creates a barrier that prevents squirrels from climbing up to the feeder.
- Use as a sifter: Clean plastic nursery pots can be used to sift used soil, allowing the fine soil to drop through the drainage holes while larger debris remains inside the pot.
- Make a strawberry planter: Use small plastic nursery pots filled with potting soil or compost to propagate new strawberry plants from runners. Once the new plants have a substantial root system, you can snip them off from the mother plant and replant them elsewhere.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to reuse plastic nursery pots. You can use them for seed starting, propagation of cuttings, potting up divisions, or storing bulbs. You can also use them as a base to lift planters, as a sifter, or as a bird feeder.
Before reusing plastic nursery pots, it is important to clean and sanitise them to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. Brush off any loose dirt, wash the pots in warm soapy water, and then soak them in a 1:9 ratio of bleach and water for about 10 minutes. Rinse the pots with fresh water before reusing them.
Plastic nursery pots can be recycled at some local garden centres or recycling centres. However, it is important to note that most recycling programs do not accept this type of plastic, and the recycling process can be labour-intensive due to the need to remove metal hangers, rings, or clips by hand. Some organisations, such as Lowe's and the Missouri Botanical Garden, have committed to recycling horticultural plastic. Alternatively, you can offer your pots for free on platforms like Craigslist or Freecycle, or donate them to local organisations or community gardens.
