Your empty flower pots might be used by the Missouri Botanical Garden!
Some companies are trying to reduce the number of plastic containers that don’t get reused. If you’re a small backyard gardener you probably reuse your pots by starting early tomato seeds or rooting and growing new perennials until they are garden size. Friends and family might be happy to reuse some of your plastic cellpacks, pots and flats. Maybe the local farmer’s market would like extras. Your used plastic pots could be recycled for years in your local area but what if you’re a big grower?
The Missouri Botanical Garden gets an idea!
With all the used flower pots piling up, the Missouri Botanical Gardens started looking at ways to turn the plastic pots into something reusable. They came up with a recycling idea for horticulture plastics that would turn those pots into usable lumber along with the help of the Plastic Lumber Company of America. Soon garden drop-off centers were started in some states.
Individual gardeners could sort their own recyclables!
With the recycle numbers on the bottom of the plastic pots contributing to helping each individual sort the different types, it turned out to be a great success. Their recycling program has kept over 800,000 pounds (400 tons) of plastic garden cell packs, pots and trays out of landfills!
The Plastic Lumber Company of America works with the Missouri Botanical Garden!
After the Plastic Pots are ground into chips they are sold to manufacturers like The Plastic Lumber Company of America where they turn them into plastic micro moldings, decking material, retaining wall systems, raised bed garden kits and composite deck boards. This plastic lumber needs no painting, sealing or staining and it can be drilled and cut similar to wood lumber. Unlike wood, this plastic lumber will not warp, rot or splinter.
Another factory in Englewood, Florida!
Another company, the Recycled Plastic Factory, turns used plastic detergent bottles, milk jugs, and plastic bags into safe products that contain no chemicals to leach out into skin or the soil.
With greater concern among consumers to reduce landfills, companies are now trying to come up with better and safer ideas for the environment!
Sources:
www.companycoltd.com/company_coltd.php?company_id=u494184
www.recycle.net/trade/aa1031220.html
www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/lifestyles/homegarden/s_621134.html
www.mobot.org/hort/activ/plasticpots.shtml
Growing a Greener World WVPY 8-28-10
