Now that the gardening season is in full swing, after a productive planting session, do you find yourself with an abundance of extra plant pots?
Whatever you do, don’t throw them in your recycling bin! Plant pots are often too dirty to recycle, and are made of a low-value resin that is not accepted in the Kitsap County commingled recycling system.
Here is the good news: They are recyclable, just not in the conventional curbside collection system. Next time you head to the local home improvement warehouse, pack those leftover pots along with you and return them to the store.
Most national home improvement stores now have plant-pot recycling programs. Additionally, if you primarily shop at local nurseries, ask them if they have a return program for your pots.
Just remember, keep those pots out of the blue bin and bring them back where you got them.
How to repurpose your old plant pots
In the garden:
When repotting a plant, turn a plastic pot upside down in the new, larger container and add soil around it. When you’re done, pull out the plastic pot and there will be plenty of room inside the bigger container to place your plant’s root ball.
Place what you pick from the garden in clean pots and rinse off dirt with water from your outdoor tap. Let the water drain out the bottom holes before storing your bounty.
In the garage or workroom:
Flip seedling trays upside down and use the crevices to store small saws or workshop knives so that the blades don’t get damaged in storage. Use seedling trays in drawers or on your workbench to sort and store nuts, bolts, nails, and odds and ends.
Bundle and stash cords in an upside-down pot in a garage or workroom. When cords are in use, pull the needed length through the bottom hole, enlarging it as necessary.
Put a ball of twine in a plastic pot, and pull the end through a hole in the bottom to keep it neat when using.
Happy gardening!
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