Hello!
I decided to make a short article about recycling some of those gardening items that you usually are stuck with after planting your newly bought flowers and veggies!
That's right, you know what I'm talking about: The plastic trays and pots of your starters.
The ability to mold and shape plastic while creating a light but strong part attracts a wide variety of industries, including the gardening industry.
Greenhouses and local businesses will use these pots and trays because they are cheap but sturdy enough to withstand the lifespan they are required to endure. The question you should ask as a consumer is: What do I do with all these trays after I am done?
- Check if you could reuse those pots and trays for something else. Reusing is always the greatest source of waste reduction
- Check if the greenhouse you bought the plants from will take the pots and trays. In some cases they re-use them for future plants!
- If those two options fail you, then see if the material is recyclable. Normally these trays and pots are provided in 3 different types of materials: #3>HDPE< , #5 >PP< , #6 >PS<. In normal cases these are labeled somewhere on the outside like the pictures below.
Keep in mind that if the material is #6 >PS< then you cannot place it in your normal recycle bin. You should confirm with your curbside pick up to see if they can take those, otherwise find a local recycling center that can deal with #6 >PS<.
In the case of #3>HDPE< and #5 >PP< you are able to recycle them in your normal curbside recycling. Nonetheless, try the first two options before recycling them :)
What happens if there is not label and I nor the greenhouse will reuse it? When in doubt, trash it out. Trust me, it is for the best. If you add a non-recyclable plastic to the stream you might be harming the whole recycling process more than helping it
Follow these little advices and remember to have fun gardening :)
