Remember to lift the blue lid of your recycling cart after you’ve done any gardening around your home! If you’re not going to re-use them, those plastic flowerpots and plant trays can all be recycled!
Everything from large nursery flowerpots for shrubs and trees to small planting trays for annual bedding plants, perennials, vegetables and herbs can all be recycled. Simply rinse or wipe out the dirt and put the plastics in your recycling cart. These plastic pots and trays can also be taken to your nearest recycling depot.
Waste Reduction Facilitator Rae Stewart reminds us, “Most plastic packaging is accepted in the curbside recycling program, and these plastics from your plants are no different. Just ensure your garden pots or trays are cleaned of all dirt before you recycle them. As for those little tags that identify the plants, those need to go in the garbage, they are not part of the recycling program.”
Deanne Stephenson, Manager of Cascades Recovery, the facility where all our recycling ends up for sorting, says, “The markets where the plastics are shipped for recycling are watching closely for quality issues, so keeping the plastics clear of dirt, wooden stakes, metal twist ties or other contaminants is essential. Other garden items not accepted include ceramic pots, tarps, plastic furniture, garden hoses and plastic string or rope.”
Businesses like nurseries, landscape design contractors and farmers with larger volumes can contact Cascades Recovery at 250-491-2242 to arrange for the recycling of their plastics.
During COVID 19, as a general reminder, where possible please limit the number of trips you take to our local landfill, transfer stations, or local recycling facilities so they do not become overwhelmed and create a situation of crowding. It is important when visiting these facilities to ensure you are practicing proper physical distancing from those around you.
The Glenmore Landfill and the Westside Residential Waste Disposal and Recycling Centre on Asquith Road in West Kelowna will no longer be accepting cash payments. In the interest of public health please use interact or credit card tap payment services only to reduce keypad contact.
For all your recycling inquiries, and to find out more about what else you can recycle, download the free Recycle Coach app at rdco.com/recycle, check out the online recycling tool at rdco.com/recycle or call the Regional Waste Reduction Office at 250-469-6250.