Recycled Plant Pot Guide: How and Where to Recycle Plastic Plant Pots That Came With Your Plants

by Max Sudbury June 18, 2025

Can You Recycle Plant Pots?

Plastic plant pots, especially the ones that come with store-bought plants, are often overlooked when it comes to recycling. Many of them are recyclable, but it depends on the type of plastic, colour, and local recycling policies. Most are made from polypropylene (PP, recycling number 5), which is widely recyclable.

How Many Are Disposed of in the UK

Each year in the UK, the horticulture industry distributes over 500 million plastic plant pots, which are mostly used just once to transport plants from nurseries and garden centres. The majority of them are not recycled and often end up in landfill or incinerators, contributing significantly to plastic waste.

What Damage Can They Do

When plastic pots aren’t recycled or reused, they can linger in the environment for hundreds of years. Over time, they may break down into harmful microplastics, leach chemicals into the soil, or be incinerated, releasing carbon into the atmosphere. Black plastic is particularly difficult as it's nearly invisible to recycling technology and often gets dumped in general waste.

Can You Put Plant Pots in Recycling Bins?

Yes, but only some. If your local council accepts plastic pots, tubs and trays in kerbside recycling, then non-black plant pots made from recyclable plastic (look for the #5 PP code) can go in your recycling bin. Always wash off soil and residue first. Since policies vary, it’s best to check your council’s website or contact their waste services.

Progressive news: thanks to HTA Campaign Success

Thanks to the persistent efforts of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), households in England will be able to recycle non-black plastic plant pots at the kerbside starting 31 March 2026. This change, confirmed by Defra as part of the new Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2024, marks a major milestone in reducing horticultural plastic waste. The HTA’s campaign secured clear, consistent language that ensures recyclable pots made from PET or PP plastics are explicitly included in collections, helping to avoid local authority discrepancies. While pots (which you will need to rinse), the update simplifies eco-friendly gardening and sets the stage for a more unified UK recycling system in the future.

Where to Recycle Plastic Plant Pots

Even if your council doesn’t collect them, you still have options to keep your pots out of landfill.

Finding a Garden Centre

Many garden centres now offer take-back schemes for used plant pots. Larger chains and some independents have designated drop-off bins where customers can leave unwanted pots to be recycled or reused in-store.

Allotments Sometimes Take Them

Check with your local allotment groups — many are happy to accept donations of reusable pots, particularly in spring. It’s a great way to keep pots in circulation and support your local gardening community.

Some Stores Have Take-Back Schemes

Shops like B&Q, Dobbies, and other horticultural retailers occasionally run plant pot recycling programmes. These initiatives are usually seasonal, so check online or ask staff in store. Some stores collect pots for reuse by growers or donation to schools and community projects.

DIY Recycled Plant Pots Ideas

If you’re feeling crafty, transform your planters into something useful and fun.

Make Pots Into a Stand

Stack and wire together pots of different sizes to create a tiered planter or plant stand. It’s great for vertical gardening or herbs on a balcony.

Paint Them

Decorate old pots with acrylic paints, markers, or even glued-on materials. Make animals, sea creatures, or abstract designs. Kids love this, and it gives old pots a second life. You can follow a guide here.

Make a Recycled Plant Pot Scarecrow

Inspired by The Empowered Educator, create a Pot Man Scarecrow using old pots wired together to form arms, legs, and a body. Let kids paint or collage materials onto them.

Reuse Better Than Recycle

Reusing plastic plant pots is the most eco-friendly option. You can recycle them yourself or find somewhere that will reuse them.

Use them to propagate cuttings
Turn them into garden twine holders
Make bug hotels with children using sticks and stones
Cut them into collars to protect seedlings from pests
Use larger ones as compost scoops or to force rhubarb

You can follow some of these ideas with dobbies

Where to Find Recycled Plant Pots

Looking to buy recycled pots? Consider these:

Head to our Store Handmade in the UK from recycled river litter and beer bottles
Local makers and zero waste shops Often sell unique, eco-conscious pots. Examples of these are Zilch Zero Waste and Lentils and Lather, but you can find many more around the UK.

These options let you reduce waste and support ethical production.

A Shift in the Spotlight: The Rise of Eco-Friendly Projects

We’re living through a moment where sustainability isn’t just a buzzword It’s news. From new sustainable technology to biodegradable breakthroughs, eco-friendly projects are capturing the public’s imagination like never before. Consumers are demanding transparency and climate-conscious choices, and the media is responding by celebrating green innovation. This wave of positive PR is encouraging businesses, creatives, and communities to think more sustainably, knowing their efforts can gain visibility and support. It’s a cultural shift where doing good for the planet is also good for storytelling—and it’s reshaping how brands and projects gain traction. We are proof that going green gets you in the news.

Getting Your Own Recycled Plastic Plant Pots by Flod

Flod creates durable, handcrafted plant pots made from recycled river plastic and glass bottles. Their production process helps tackle waste while offering minimalist, high-end designs ideal for modern homes and offers insight on choosing plants that match your interior design style.

Why They Also Function as Recycled Garden Pots

Flod pots are also highly functional. Their weight and weather-resistance make them excellent for outdoor use, unlike flimsier pots that crack in frost or fade in the sun. Plus, they repurpose waste that might otherwise pollute rivers or oceans, making each pot part of a broader sustainability story, which you can read about here.

By understanding how and where to recycle plastic plant pots, you can find ways to reuse or replace them. We can all make small changes that lead to a greener, cleaner planet. Whether it’s through local drop-off schemes, creative DIY, or supporting sustainable brands that have a different attitude to waste.

Conclusion: Prevent Nursery Pots From Having A Big Impact

While plastic nursery pots might seem like a minor part of gardening, they contribute to a major waste issue. The good news? You have more control than you think. By checking your local recycling rules, reusing creatively, or seeking out recycled alternatives, you can significantly reduce your environmental impact.

Whether you're painting old pots with kids, donating spares to allotments, or investing in products made from recycled materials, every small action adds up. Let’s rethink the humble plant pot from disposable to indispensable. Read more about other interesting sustainable topics on our blog.