Plant Pot Recycling Guide

Can You Recycle Plant Pots?

Wondering whether plastic nursery pots and other plant pots can be recycled? The ReCollective accepts several types of individual plant pots during designated ReCo Pick collection periods for reuse or recycling.

Plant pots accepted for reuse or recycling through The ReCollective

Recycle or Reuse Old Plant Pots

Plant pots can often be reused or recycled instead of being discarded. The ReCollective accepts individual pots made from several different materials.

Collected pots are brought to our Durham warehouse, where they are sorted by material and condition for reuse or recycling.

View Accepted Plant Pots Join The ReCollective
What to include

What Plant Pots Can The ReCollective Accept?

This collection is for individual plant pots from the accepted categories below.

Accepted

  • Plastic plant pots, including inexpensive nursery pots from garden centers
  • Ceramic plant pots
  • Woven plant pots
  • Wood plant pots
  • Metal plant pots

Please Leave Out

  • Seed starter trays
  • Seed starter cells
  • Four-pack or six-pack starter cells
  • Any container that is not a single plant pot
Individual pots only: Seed starter trays, cells, and multipacks are not part of this collection.
How to set it out

Stack Pots Beside Your Black Bag

During the designated collection period, place accepted plant pots next to your black waterproof canvas bag. Limit the total to no more than two stacks, with each stack no taller than two feet.

Before your pickup

How to Prepare Plant Pots for Pickup

Choose Individual Pots

Set aside only individual plant pots from the accepted material categories.

Stack the Pots

Nest or stack pots together when possible so they are easier to collect.

Stay Within the Limit

Prepare no more than two stacks, with each stack no taller than two feet.

Place Beside Your Bag

Set the stacks beside your black waterproof bag during the designated plant-pot collection period.

Materials being organized at The ReCollective warehouse in Durham
After collection

What Happens to the Plant Pots?

Collected plant pots return to The ReCollective’s Durham warehouse, where they are sorted for reuse or prepared for recycling.

1

Collect: Pots are brought back to the warehouse with the rest of the route’s materials.

2

Sort: Pots are organized by material and whether they can be reused.

3

Reuse or recycle: Accepted pots are prepared for local growers, reuse partners, or recycling partners.

Reuse and recycling partners: Depending on the pot’s material and condition, accepted items may be directed to Verity Recycling, The Scrap Exchange, local growers, or other appropriate partners.
Reuse or recycling

Are Plant Pots Reused or Recycled?

It depends on the pot’s material and condition. After collection, The ReCollective sorts accepted pots to determine whether they can be kept in use or prepared for recycling.

Usable pots may be directed to local growers or reuse partners, while other accepted pots may be prepared for recycling.

Common questions

Plant Pot Recycling FAQs

Can plastic plant pots be recycled?
The ReCollective accepts individual plastic plant pots, including inexpensive nursery pots from garden centers, during designated ReCo Pick collection periods. Collected pots are sorted for reuse or recycling.
Can nursery pots be recycled?
Yes. Individual plastic nursery pots are accepted through this collection. Seed starter trays, cells, and multipacks are not accepted.
What kinds of plant pots does The ReCollective accept?
We accept individual plastic, ceramic, woven, wood, and metal plant pots during the designated collection period.
Do you accept seed starter trays or six-pack plant cells?
No. Seed starter trays, starter cells, four-packs, six-packs, and other containers that are not individual plant pots are not included in this collection.
How should I prepare plant pots for pickup?
Stack or nest accepted individual pots when possible. Keep the set-out to no more than two stacks, with each stack no taller than two feet.
Where should I put plant pots on pickup day?
Place the plant-pot stacks beside your black waterproof canvas bag. Do not place the pots inside your canvas bags.
What happens to plant pots after pickup?
The pots return to The ReCollective’s Durham warehouse, where they are sorted by material and condition for reuse or recycling.

ReCo Pick Reminders

Check the ReCo Pick calendar Confirm when plant pots are featured before setting them out.
Place pots beside the black bag Do not put plant pots inside your canvas bags. Stack them beside the black waterproof bag.
Keep stacks manageable Limit the set-out to two stacks, with each stack no taller than two feet.
Mailback is available Small plant pots may also be included through The ReCollective’s Almost Anything Bag Mailback program.
Recycle more with us

Ready to Recycle More Hard-to-Recycle Materials?

Explore the materials The ReCollective collects and learn how home pickup works.

Join The ReCollective View Accepted Materials
Related information

Other Recycling & Reuse Guides

#5 plastic tubs and lids recycling Material guide #5 Plastic Tubs and Lids View guide Plastic clamshell recycling Material guide Plastic Clamshells View guide Plastic film and bag recycling Material guide Plastic Film and Bags View guide Crinkly packaging recycling Material guide Crinkly Packaging View guide Styrofoam recycling Material guide Styrofoam View guide Clothing and textile recycling Material guide Clothing and Textiles View guide
Service information

Local Pickup & Mailback

City page Durham View local information City page Raleigh View local information City page Cary View local information City page Chapel Hill & Carrboro View local information Mailback Almost Anything Bag Small plant pots accepted