The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Vegetables => Topic started by: Rosemary on January 02, 2013, 07:14:34 pm

Title: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: Rosemary on January 02, 2013, 07:14:34 pm
We have hunners and hunners of plastic plant pots. We brought loads with us and the folk who were here before us left loads. We have to have a bit of a clear out. Any suggestions as to what we might do with them?
Title: Re: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: mojocafa on January 02, 2013, 07:27:07 pm
I had loads of pots last year and asked 2 garden nurseries in Arbroath if they wanted them but neither did as it wouldn't be cost effective. Ended up taking them to recycling centre.
Mojo
Title: Re: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: bloomer on January 02, 2013, 07:37:47 pm
they are really impossible to recycle the plastic they are made of is rubbish, garden centres dont want them as they're dirty.


you can thread them on canes and make bird scarers as they rattle in the wind is about it!!!
Title: Re: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: Ina on January 02, 2013, 07:59:07 pm
Offered them on freecycle yet? I realise it's unlikely one person would want them all, but I have in the past occasionally seen them offered and taken.
Title: Re: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: Hermit on January 02, 2013, 08:06:54 pm
Use them! Plant loads of bedding plants, veg plants, herbs and sell them at the gate.
Title: Re: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: goosepimple on January 02, 2013, 08:34:20 pm
Primary Schools might take them off you Rosemary, they're always doing plant a something in the spring and every child likes their own pot  :D
Title: Re: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: doganjo on January 02, 2013, 11:11:28 pm
And offer them free seeds with them and you'll get rid.  If you have any that are are really big I'll have some.
Title: Re: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: Fowgill Farm on January 03, 2013, 11:34:47 am
Rinse them all out with disinfectant solution, stack in tens or dozens and sell at car boots. Could also stick in poly bag with pack of seeds and sell as starter growing kits!
but lifes to short to do this mainly mine go on the bondi  ::)
mandy :pig:
Title: Re: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: Rosemary on January 03, 2013, 01:12:35 pm
Use them! Plant loads of bedding plants, veg plants, herbs and sell them at the gate.

We can do that with some of the ones we'll have left  ;D

Will contact the local primary schools and see if they want some; then freecycle or car boot.

Annie, I'll look and see what size they are.

Thanks all.
Title: Re: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: Hermit on January 03, 2013, 02:48:40 pm
Yes but you can do the same next year as well, then you will be crying out  for pots. I have literally hundreds of spare pots and still came home with a stack as tall as me from a charity shop the other day, it is surprising how many you go through when you sell plants and how expensive pots are to buy new .
Also does anyone know why there are always  plant pots on beaches, every time I go to the beach , even the back of beyond beaches up here , you always find plantpots!! ???
Title: Re: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: Lesley Silvester on January 03, 2013, 10:20:58 pm
Washed up from the seaweed nursery perhaps.   ;)
Title: Re: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: Garret2 on January 04, 2013, 07:28:24 am
Used plastic flower pots, especially black ones that came from the nursery, often become nothing more than dust-gatherers and space-hogs in the corner of your garage or storage shed. Although storing the pots is better than sending them to a landfill, where it will take an indeterminate amount of time for them to degrade, you can also recycle these plastic containers at a facility that accepts such items, or you can implement creative ways to use the pots once again.

How to Recycle Plastic Flower Pots | eHow.com
Title: Re: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: Rosemary on January 04, 2013, 09:55:46 am
Yes but you can do the same next year as well, then you will be crying out  for pots.

Had a chat about it at dinner last night and decided you're right. Going to wash and box them tidily and store them till we need them. Going to start seling plants this year too  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: Hermit on January 04, 2013, 10:28:13 am
Great to hear, you will  be surprised at how many folk like veg growing but have no where to 'start off ' plants. My best sellers are courgettes,cucumbers and herbs. Good luck.
Title: Re: What to do with surplus plastic pots
Post by: deepinthewoods on January 04, 2013, 11:19:11 am
i sell about 50 courgette plants a year, timing is crucial! but at a pound each its a good little earner if you can get free pots and make your own compost.
franchi seeds of italy do  packs of 50 courgette seeds (not f1) for about £4