Recycling black plastic containers
Thanks to the efforts of Gardeners' World et al., we now know that black plastic plant pots can't currently be recycled exactly like other hard plastic items because automated recycling systems rely on optical sorting - which apparently doesn't recognise black.
So one can only get black plastic plant pots recycled (once they're completely beyond reusability) by collectivising their collection locally, eg where the local garden centre operates a collection point, and then deliver them in bulk to the local recycling facility.
Unfortunately, not only pots but also plant pot trays, vegetable trays etc are made of black plastic. (Our local garden centre only takes the pots.) And I've just realised that the best shampoo I know comes in black plastic bottles, too. So I've written to the product's current owners, asking them urgently to alter their packaging so that it doesn't contaminate the recycling stream and end up in landfill. Can't think of an easier solution....
So one can only get black plastic plant pots recycled (once they're completely beyond reusability) by collectivising their collection locally, eg where the local garden centre operates a collection point, and then deliver them in bulk to the local recycling facility.
Unfortunately, not only pots but also plant pot trays, vegetable trays etc are made of black plastic. (Our local garden centre only takes the pots.) And I've just realised that the best shampoo I know comes in black plastic bottles, too. So I've written to the product's current owners, asking them urgently to alter their packaging so that it doesn't contaminate the recycling stream and end up in landfill. Can't think of an easier solution....
