How to Recycle Plant Pots and Trays?

How to Recycle Plant Pots and Trays

Introduction

We are now aware of the amount of waste that gardens produce. There’s plastic everywhere! While the plants we purchase are great for the environment and our garden’s biodiversity, the plant pots and trays are definitely not! What then should you do with all those tiny, annoying plant pots and trays? Excellent inquiry! There are a few guidelines you should follow to recycle plant pots and trays properly.

To put it simply, plant pots and trays are just another type of single-use plastic that finds its way into our homes and according to their composition, ends up in landfills after being used in our backyards. Because they are made of hydrocarbons, which are fossil fuels derived from petroleum, and are coloured black by carbon inks, most communities will not take them for recycling. Here we will see how to recycle and reuse these plant pots and trays.

How to Recycle Plant Pots and Trays?

You may be asking why they are accepted in some regions and not in others. As with everything with plastic garbage, it’s a little bit difficult!

The kind of plastic used in its construction is the second problem. Polypropylene, also referred to as plastic, is a soft, flexible plastic that is typically used to make plant pots. Others are composed of plastic, often known as high-density polyethene (HDPE), which is somewhat more rigid and durable and has a greater recycling rate.

How to Recycle Plant Pots and Trays

Plastic pots and trays, however, are not accepted in some places because they may contain dirt or other organic materials that contaminate other recyclables. Additionally, the most popular black plant pots are typically not accepted since sorting machines are unable to identify them. Therefore, black plant pots require specialized recycling.

Terra-cotta, ceramic, glass, and tile pots are often not recyclable through waste recycling programs. They can be broken down for reuse or repurposed and recycled at home. 

Reuse the Plant Pots and Trays

Use plant pots and trays in the garden

Tiny plant pots and trays work well, as do soil sifters and scoopers. You can use the holes you make in the bottom of the plastic container to spread fertilizer around your plants. It can also be used to cultivate cuttings or seeds. In your garden, broken pot fragments can also serve as great plant identifiers.

Make permanent planters out of Plant pots

You may use your plant pots and trays to create permanent planters in your yard. Make a planting hole the same size as your plastic pots, then place the pot inside the hole. You may now quickly replace your plant pots as needed. When you wish to add some seasonal plants to your garden, this is really helpful.

Utilize plant pots as storage containers

Utilize plant pots as storage containers

Plant pots work well as storage containers as well. Your plant pots can be used to store things all over the house. Additionally, you can repaint them and utilize them within your home as artwork and ornamental elements.

Use plant pots and trays to protect plants from frost

During the winter, you can use your larger plant pot and trays to shield your plants from frost and give them adequate insulation.

Plant pots and trays as Liners

There are ceramic pots without drainage holes. Who wants to open up a lovely porcelain pot with a drill? A plastic pot would make an ideal liner for aiding with soil drainage. You just need to put a plant pot inside a ceramic pot. You can take out the plant pot over time to see whether there is any standing water and occasionally drain it.

Benefits of Reusing Plant Pots and Trays

Less plastic waste in landfills

As is well known, when plastics decompose in landfills, they release toxic compounds that significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions. Reusing or recycling plant pots helps prevent plastic waste from ending up in landfills.

Keeps natural resources safe

Keeps natural resources safe

Reusing those old pots contributes to the preservation of natural resources including water, coal, and crude oil that would otherwise be used in the manufacturing of new plastics. Nursery pots may be recycled and used again, saving the wasteful single-use plastic that is so prevalent nowadays.

Closed Recycling System 

A closed-loop system recycles waste by gathering it, processing it, and turning it back into the original product. Reusing plant pots and trays helps cut down on the demand for fresh plastic. As post-consumer plastics emit fewer carbon emissions, it encourages their use.