Alexei Volkov
Plastic plant pots can be a hassle to recycle due to their size and tendency to get dirty, but they can be recycled at some out-of-home recycling points. Many local authorities collect pots, tubs, and trays through kerbside collections, and some garden centers offer plant pot take-back schemes. Black plastic pots, however, are not accepted by most curbside recycling programs as the machines used are not sophisticated enough to detect black plastic. To recycle black plastic pots, you can try posting them for free online, donating them to local gardeners, or taking them to stores like Home Depot or Lowe's, which have plant pot recycling programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic plant pots can be recycled at | Some out-of-home recycling points, local nurseries, and garden centers |
| Local authorities collect | Pots, tubs, and trays in their kerbside collections |
| Pots that can be put in home recycling | Non-black plastic plant pots |
| Garden centers with take-back schemes | Lowe's, Home Depot, and East Jordan Plastics |
| Other options | Repurpose the pots, post them for free online, or give them away for free on Craigslist |
| Cannot be recycled | "Compostable" plastic pots, ceramic and terra cotta clay plant pots, and plastic tags |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling at Home Depot
Plastic plant pots can be a hassle to recycle, and they often pile up in backyards and garages. Many curbside recycling programs do not accept plastics that are harder to recycle, including plant pots. Black plastic plant pots, in particular, cannot be recycled through most cities' curbside recycling programs as the machines used are not sophisticated enough to detect black plastic.
Home Depot provides a solution to this problem with its recycling program. Since 2009, Home Depot has partnered with East Jordan Plastics to collect and reuse plastic pots from any garden center. Customers can bring back their empty plastic plant pots to any Home Depot Garden Center nationwide, where growers can refill them. When the pots are no longer reusable, East Jordan Plastics recycles them into new pots, trays, and hanging baskets. Home Depot accepts all plastic garden containers, and recycled plastic containers can recover upwards of 60% of the energy tied to initial product processing, diverting waste from landfills.
Before bringing your plastic plant pots to Home Depot, it is important to clean them thoroughly with hot, soapy water and a bit of bleach to kill any pathogens. Additionally, you can consider repurposing the pots for your own use or posting them online for free to find someone who needs them.
By offering this recycling service, Home Depot is committed to reducing its environmental impact and moving towards a circular economy.
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Local nurseries and garden centres
It is worth noting that some larger garden centre chains have discontinued their pot recycling services due to the challenge of finding a suitable disposal method for the accumulated pots. However, smaller local nurseries and independent garden centres may still offer pot recycling or take-back options. Before visiting, it is advisable to call ahead or check their website to confirm if they accept plastic plant pots for recycling or reuse.
When preparing plastic plant pots for recycling or donation, it is important to clean them thoroughly with hot, soapy water and a disinfectant like bleach to kill any remaining pathogens. Rinsing the pots before dropping them off at recycling points is often appreciated, as it reduces the risk of contaminating other plants with chemical residues.
Some local nurseries may also choose to recycle plastic plant pots themselves. For example, Otter Garden Centres in the UK collect plastic plant pots from customers and work with a local zero-waste service, Devon Contract Waste (DCW), to recycle them into new products like furniture, window frames, and fencing. This way, nurseries and garden centres can play an active role in ensuring plastic plant pots are recycled responsibly and sustainably.
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Online listings
If you're looking for places to dispose of plastic plant pots, there are several online listings you can refer to. Here are some detailed suggestions:
- Local Listings: Check online for local listings or websites that offer information on recycling programs or drop-off locations specifically for plastic plant pots. Some websites provide region-specific guidance, such as Northern Gardener, which offers advice for residents in the northern United States.
- Retail Stores: Major retail stores like Lowe's have plastic plant pot recycling programs. You can search online for participating stores near you. These stores often provide designated carts where customers can drop off their plastic plant pots, trays, and tags, regardless of condition.
- Gardening Centers: Local gardening or nursery centers may accept plastic plant pots for recycling or reuse. It's worth searching online for nearby centers and reaching out to inquire about their policies. Some centers may even have employees who will reuse the pots or distribute them to local gardening clubs.
- Online Classifieds: Websites like Craigslist or other online classifieds platforms can be useful for offering your plastic plant pots for free to individuals or organizations in need. For example, someone starting seeds or dividing and giving away plants may appreciate the pots.
- Home Improvement Stores: Some home improvement stores, like The Home Depot, have environmental initiatives and may accept plastic plant pots for recycling. Check their websites or contact your local store to confirm if they participate in such programs.
- Botanical Gardens: Certain botanical gardens, like the Missouri Botanical Garden, have been recognized for their recycling programs that accept plastic plant pots. Search online for botanical gardens in your area and inquire about their sustainability efforts.
Remember to keep yourself updated with the latest information by searching for online listings specific to your region, as disposal options may vary depending on your location.
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Reuse at home
Plastic plant pots can be reused in several ways at home. Here are some ideas:
Seed Starting and Seedlings
Sturdier plastic plant pots can be reused several times for seed starting. You can also use the pots to plant seedlings or divided plants from your garden to give away to friends.
Protecting Plants from Frost
Cover your plants with overturned plastic pots overnight to protect them from frost. Remove the pots the next day when the temperature warms up.
Lifting Planters
Use an overturned five-gallon plastic container as a base to lift a planter above neighbouring plants. The black colour will blend into the surrounding foliage, and the height will make watering more accessible.
Mulching
When mulching, cover your plants with old plastic containers to protect them from being buried or getting too much mulch near their crowns.
Drainage
If you have containers without drainage holes, you can place a plastic pot with holes inside to raise it from the bottom. This will allow you to check for standing water and water the plant outside the solid container if needed.
Permanent Planting Hole
If you like to swap out container plants seasonally, you can create a permanent planting hole by digging a hole and inserting a black plastic pot larger than the containers you plan to use. This will make it easier to sink and lift the seasonal plants.
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Composting
Another option is to use coconut coir fibre pots instead of plastic ones. These pots are made from sustainably sourced natural coconut husks and will biodegrade into the soil or compost over time. They can also be reused for a few years and contain potassium to support root development. When it's time to dispose of them, simply add them to your compost bin. The best homemade compost ratio for these pots is three parts brown materials, such as cardboard, hay, and straw, to one part green.
If you prefer to stick to plastic pots, you can still compost them through recycling. Some local authorities collect plastic plant pots, tubs, and trays through kerbside collections. You can also take them to garden centres or stores like Home Depot and Lowe's, which have recycling programs for plastic plant pots. Before recycling, make sure to clean the pots thoroughly with hot, soapy water and a bit of bleach to kill any pathogens. Additionally, some garden centres may reuse or redistribute the pots, so it's worth inquiring about their practices.
It's important to note that black plastic plant pots are often not accepted by curbside recycling programs due to the optical scanning technology used in recycling facilities. However, some brands, like Proven Winners, offer white pots that are acceptable for curbside recycling. You can also try posting your pots online for free or returning them to the garden centre where you purchased them.
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Frequently asked questions
Black plastic plant pots cannot be recycled through most curbside recycling programs as optical scanning machines cannot "see" black plastic. You can repurpose them for your own use, or post them online for free. Some retailers, such as Home Depot, also accept black plastic plant pots for recycling.
Non-black plastic plant pots can be recycled at some out-of-home recycling points. Many local authorities collect pots, tubs, and trays in their kerbside collections. You can also take them to retailers such as Lowe's and Home Depot, which offer plant pot take-back schemes.
"Compostable" plastic pots cannot be recycled or composted as they contaminate other plastics and take too long to break down. They must be thrown in the garbage.
