Blog: a long slog to ditch non-recyclables, but it’s worth it!
If I was a beginner, it would be so much easier to start gardening without plastic – and by that, I mean the non-recyclable types that will end up in landfill. There are now so many options that make it easy to use natural or recyclable materials, especially in pots. My message to new gardeners would be to check if a plastic item is made of recycled material AND is recyclable. If not, leave well alone!
If you’re new to gardening and on a budget, what do you do? Buy one recyclable or environmentally-friendly pot instead of three containers that will end up in a landfill? That’s up to you.
Gardening without plastic – Price of going green
Gardening without plastic literally comes at a price. Cheap, mass-produced non-recyclable plastic pots are everywhere. There are a few garden centre plants that come in recycled pots.
As for me, I’m making it a priority not to introduce more plastic into my garden. I’ve been gardening for more than 40 years, since I was a kid. The green plant pot in the main picture I bought in 1975 in Bainbridge (now John Lewis) in Newcastle with my pocket money. Yes, I was that sad – and 46 years later, it’s still going strong. A prime example of how robust non-recyclable plastic is!
My garage is jam-packed with old pots, mostly the black plastic variety, which originally housed plants from garden centres. Now, if any pots finally shatter, I reuse them as crocks before sending them to the tip.
Environmentally-friendly replacements
When pots do break, I’m replacing them with greener alternatives. Half of my Pelargoniums (geraniums) are still in cracked black plastic, so I visited Clay’s Garden Centre in Washington for replacements. It stocks Apta Verona terracotta pots, a basic but lovely range at a good price. Prices start from 69p for an 11cm pot. I bought a mix of standard pots 21cm (£1.99), 27cm (£3.99), 28cm bowls (£4.99) and 21cm long toms (£4.99).
Not only have the geraniums been rehoused, so have some of this year’s tender climbers – morning glories, passionflower, snail vines and canary creeper. The pots are made in Italy, so if you’re worried about your carbon footprint, bear that in mind. However, you have to weigh up what you can and can’t afford. There are quality British manufacturers out there, like Whichford Pottery, but for me, these are investment pieces.
Of course, gardening without plastic is hard, but recycled plastics still have their place – see Elho’s range. If you have thirsty plants in big pots that can’t stand drought (Colocasia, bananas) and need to be moved indoors in winter, terracotta’s a no-go. It’s too heavy and dries out too quickly.
Gardening without plastic – Using alternative pots
I’ve been using yoghurt and rice pots for years as growing-on containers. They’re ideal, recyclable and reusable, lasting a few years before they crack and then go into our home recycling bin. If you are using food packaging, as with all things, check that it is recyclable. Plantpak recycled and recyclable seed tray cells are a good buy – they can be reused.
Artificial lawns are another problem. Most fake turf is made of polypropylene, polyethylene, latex and polyurethane. These can be recycled, but the infill is usually sand or other materials, making it difficult to do so. Some companies will recycle them, but most will end up at the council tip. If you want artificial turf, ask if it’s recyclable WITHOUT hiring a specialist to get rid of it at the end of its life and if it is made of recycled products.
I’ll carry on replacing my big plastic pots when they give up the ghost. Don’t forget, other materials are available – other ceramics, metal and wood for starters. It’s a long-term project, but if we all stop buying cheap plastic and demand recycled materials, prices will come down.
Read about recycled plastic garden furniture. Companies flying the flag over plastic recycling include Recycled, recyclable and bio pots from Garland and Recyclable Plant Pots by Hillier Nurseries.
