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  • #1

    reducing the use of plastic

    I am sure I posted a thread about using plastic in the past , but can't find it
    While out in the greenhouse I started to tidy up a bit and the amount of plastic that I use is quite high, I will continue to use what I have till they need to be replaced, supplemented with alternatives, such as making my own seed trays by using a hardboard base with wooden sides, just as the old tomato boxes were made, along with paper pots and soil plugs, do you have any suggestions of what can replace plastic
    it may be a struggle to reach the top, but once your over the hill your problems start.

    Member of the Nutters Club but I think I am just there to make up the numbers
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  • #2
    I have only been buying terracotta pots for the last couple of years, still re using what plastic I have, but won't buy any more.

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    • #3
      Rary, you had a thread about using fibre pots, earlier this year - can't find one about plastic pots.

      I'm going to experiment with seedling pots made from leaves ----still working on the design, so its a secret. Ssssssssshhh!!!

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      • #4
        I like a challenging new year’s resolution, and you’ve just given me an idea...... Wonder if I’ll last the first week???

        ps sorry vc, should’ve explained, the idea was not to buy any plastic at all. Though taking up running might be easier!
        Last edited by Chestnut; 22-12-2018, 08:54 AM.

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        • #5
          You've reminded me, Chestnut, of my New Year's Resolution - to make a new Resolution every week - and to stick to it just for a week...........but back to the plastic or I'll be accused of Tangentisation.

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          • #6
            I reuse what plastic I have to the bare thread, because it prevents buying more things.
            If a plastic pot is broken I pop it into a good one lining up the holes so I get more use out of them both. Same with the plastic plug trays, doubled or tripled up up they last loads longer.
            Sadly, some household items are just in plastic packaging with no alternative so I reuse what I have from the house in the garden as much as possible, preventing me from buying more stuff to get thrown away.

            You mentioned paper pots, are they from the "paper pot maker", the device you could buy to make mini seedling pots from junk paper? Some say newspaper ink isn't safe if it's not soy based, since no one knows what ink is used, they suggest not to use newspaper.

            Loo roll tubes work, great for corn, as long as they don't dry out.

            Where else are you using the plastic? Hard to suggest alternatives when don't know what it's for.
            https://beingbears.wordpress.com

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            • #7
              A while back I mentioned use of old aluminium drink cans.
              Cut down with scissors to make a flat oblong, be very careful as they are sharp.
              Use slats from recycled pallets to make seeds trays of what ever size you need.
              You should be able to staple gun the aluminium and use as brackets.
              A tray double deep slats and narrow for beans etc. Just cut down the aluminium when ready to plant.

              Jimmy
              Expect the worst in life and you will probably have under estimated!

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              • #8
                I have bought good quality plastic trays that should last and when done with they will be recycled. I grow in vending machine cups with two holes melted in the bottom, but they all get washed and reused until they ultimately split then they go in the recycle bin.
                sigpic
                . .......Man Vs Slug
                Click Here for my Diary and Blog
                Nutters Club Member

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                • #9
                  You mentioned paper pots, are they from the "paper pot maker", the device you could buy to make mini seedling pots from junk paper? Some say newspaper ink isn't safe if it's not soy based, since no one knows what ink is used, they suggest not to use newspaper.
                  Most research has found newspaper (not glossy magazine pages) safe to use in the garden eg https://permaculturenews.org/2016/03...r-your-garden/
                  I've been using it for years - as mulch, in compost and to make paper pots around various tins and jar (no need to buy a special tool for the job)

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                  • #10
                    I also have a lot of plastic in the garden. As everyone else has said. It gets used to within an inch of it's life then gets recycled. At the moment and for the foreseeable future I don't need to replace anything. As I seem to be the local recycling centre for unwanted pots and trays ( and the occasional plant ). No complaints from me ( apart from starting to struggle with storage............I'm sure I'll cope). It means I don't have to buy and the pots don't end up in landfill.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Squingy View Post
                      You mentioned paper pots, are they from the "paper pot maker", the device you could buy to make mini seedling pots from junk paper? Some say newspaper ink isn't safe if it's not soy based, since no one knows what ink is used, they suggest not to use newspaper.

                      Loo roll tubes work, great for corn, as long as they don't dry out.
                      .
                      This year I have been saving brown packing paper to try for making paper pots - the stuff that arrives twisted and scrunched inside a box to stop contents rattling during transit.
                      Ironed the paper last night in readiness.
                      Remind me later in the year if you want to know how well they last

                      Strip metal (eg from aluminium cans) could be folded and stamped with letters for pkant labels. Wooden lolly sticks also work well, but tend to biodegrade mid season (plants usually big enough to identify by then, so I don’t find this a problem - but they are wrapped in plastic when purchased....)

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Chestnut View Post
                        I like a challenging new year’s resolution, and you’ve just given me an idea...... Wonder if I’ll last the first week???

                        ps sorry vc, should’ve explained, the idea was not to buy any plastic at all. Though taking up running might be easier!
                        VC used to be my couch, sorry coach, when I was running. She used to sit on the sofa eating a do-nut and cheer me on!
                        My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
                        to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

                        Diversify & prosper


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                        • #13
                          I hate plastic waste, so I do everything I can to avoid it.

                          Some garden centres have bins for recycling plant pots, module packs etc, so worth a look next time you are there. Many will also take the plastic labels that come in packs of plants for reuse.

                          For a wider range of plastic recycling have a look at https://www.terracycle.co.uk/en-GB/. For a price you can recycle almost anything, but they have free recycling programmes, some of which are restricted to certain types of institutions such as schools (eg writing implements) although the public can drop things off there for recycling. I currently collect biscuit wrappers from my friends and family and send them off free of charge for recycling, but there are other things you can collect too. Check the individual programmes for drop off points in your area.
                          A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP. - Leonard Nimoy

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Snadger View Post
                            VC used to be my couch, sorry coach, when I was running. She used to sit on the sofa eating a do-nut and cheer me on!
                            Are you going for a run today, Snadge? I have 4 Gingerbread doughnuts waiting for an excuse to be eaten.
                            Meanwhile, I'm sitting here trying to make pots from leaves...........more later.

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                            • #15
                              a slight tangentisation for which I may be forgiven. Why o why do food manufacturers use black unrecycleable trays when they could use clear. Likewise with Christmas mince meat pies. It's crazy.

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