Horticulture Industry Striving to Be More Green
Many gardeners feel frustrated they cannot recycle the plastic pots, flats and trays used when planting. But that may not be such a problem in the future, reports the Chicago Tribune. The horticulture industry is making efforts to be more green.
It is often difficult to recycle planting containers, but it is not impossible. Last weekend, members of the Illinois Green Industry Association presented the American Nursery and Landscape Association with a proposal to standardize and limit the sizes and materials of pots to make recycling easier.
The ideal container is a “plantable pot” that biodegrades in the soil, but for now, the group called for easier-to-recycle pots.
Various companies are already going the biodegradable route. This spring, Wal-mart, Home Depot and Meijer stores all sold some plants in biodegradable pots. One of the world’s biggest horticultural companies, Ball Horticultural in West Chicago, started selling locally grown plants in compostable pots made in Asia from rice hulls. Ball is also trying to develop pots and trays made from cornstarch.
Other companies are using other bases to make eco-friendly pots, such as cow manure or pressed coir, a coconut byproduct.
Find out where you can recycle planting containers using Earth 911.
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Jean Owens
posted on January 21st, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Not to degrade the article but when we sell potted plants, some customers want to recycle their pots. Here in Illinois we need to have a place to take them, or can something be set up to pick them up at a garden center. If you research Walter’s Gardens in Michigan they have such a program and the company that picks them up actually pay for the pots. I feel Illinois is behind the times and need to really start recycling more…alot more. Here at home I take my recyclables across the state line to Indiana where they have recycling dumpsters that are taken to a recyling center. I also compost and burn (here in the country I can). Can we get anything started here?