Missouri Botanical Garden recycled more than 130,000 pounds of plastic in 2009

The Missouri Botanical Garden operates the most extensive residential garden recycling program in the nation. With the addition of 130,000 pounds of horticultural waste in 2009, the garden’s Plastic Pot Recycling program has saved over 800,000 pounds (400 tons) of plastic garden pots, cell packs and trays from landfills to date.
The yearly public collection of plastic garden pots, polystyrene cell packs and trays was started in 1998. The Missouri Botanical Garden serves as the central collection site, open daily from late April through September. Ten retail garden centers throughout the metro St. Louis area participate as satellite collection sites. Also contributing to the collection are businesses associated with the green industry; landscaping contractors, public works departments, grounds management professionals and wholesale growers.
Plastic is granulated on-site into small chips that are easily transported for recycling. Through a cooperative agreement with a local manufacturer, Plastic Lumber Company of America LLC, plastic lumber is being made from the regrind and sold back to consumers for use in landscaping projects.
Next year the garden expects to expand the fleet of recycling trailers to more nurseries and garden centers.
For more information on the Garden’s Plastic Pot Recycling program, visit www.plasticpotrecycling.org or call (314) 577-9561