Pots With Promise

BEFORE YOU DIVE IN

Eager to try some alternatives? The thing to know about alternative pots is that they’re evolving. Innovations are happening, and petroleum-based plastic pots have some competition now – although not enough.

But alternatives are new. Much is yet to be learned about their performance. And the variations in content and disposal can be confusing. So if you try them out – and we hope you will – you’ll be a pioneer.

Keep these other things in mind as well:

It’s not a simple swap from petroleum-based plastics to alternatives. Alternatives are in production, but not at the sizes and scale needed. You may not be able to get what you want.
Some of the alternatives are made from bioplastics, which are plant-based plastics. The full environmental picture of bioplastic plant pots (such as toxicity, effect on soils, carbon footprint) is unknown.
Some of the alternatives may not be compostable, even though they may be plant-based. To be compostable, they would need to be processed in an industrial facility, not a home composting setting.
Disposal methods will vary. Bioplastics should never go into recycling. Some alternatives are plantable, and some may be suitable for industrial composting. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations.

ALTERNATIVES EXPLAINED

Alternative, or biobased*, pots are typically made from the following materials:

natural materials, such as paper, fiber, or even manure
bioplastics, a type of plastic that derives from plants rather than fossils. Like petroleum-based plastics, bioplastics contain carbon, but the difference is that the carbon comes from renewable plant-based feedstocks, such as sugar cane, canola, and corn.

*The US Department of Agriculture defines biobased as “products that are derived from plants and other renewable agricultural, marine, and forestry materials.”

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Sample label

HOW TO FIND ALTERNATIVE POTS

To find biobased pots, consult the USDA BioPreferred list. The program publishes an online catalog of products that have achieved certification and display the BioPreferred label.

The BioPreferred Program was established in 2002 and is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture. Its mission is to increase the federal government’s purchase and use of biobased products.

Manufacturers have the opportunity to have their products certified as to the bio-based content, and, once certified, add a label to that effect on the product. The label enables consumers to compare products’ biobased strength and to be assured that the avowed content has been confirmed. The label will show not only the certified biobased content of the product, but also the biobased content of its packaging. The Program has determined minimum biobased content for various categories of products. For plant pots, the minimum is 43%.

To explore the certified pots, from BioPreferred’s website, select “Biobased Products,” then “Grounds Maintenance,” and finally, “Gardening Supplies and Accessories.” There you will find the list of certified pots, their manufacturers, and all the relevant information, including the percentage of biobased content.

The BioPreferred catalog does not include every biobased pot in use, but it’s a good place to start.

MAKING THE BEST OF PETROLEUM-BASED PLASTIC

Look for recycled content in the product. Several US producers – HC Companies, East Jordan, Haviland, Nursery Supplies, and perhaps others – report using a large percentage of recycled plastic in the pots they manufacture.The recycled content will vary depending on availability of recycled feedstocks, and all pots are likely to contain some amount of virgin petroleum-based plastic. Currently there is no ASTM standard for pots manufactured with recycled petroleum-based plastic, so there is no way to verify the accuracy of any claims about recycled content.

Consider re-using pots. Note that there is a risk of contamination if the reused pot harbors diseases or insects harmful to plants. However, many have found this to be a remote possibility and routinely reuse pots safely.

Recycle the pots when you are ready to dispose of them. Some recycling facilities will accept petroleum-based plant pots. Some manufacturers (such as East Jordan and Haviland) will pick up the pots.