Lewis Ginter Recycles Garden Plastics

by Jonah Holland, PR & Marketing Coordinator, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Did you know that Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden recycles garden plastics? We send our plastic garden pots and trays to Four Seasons Recycling who returns them to the supply stream oversees.

Home gardeners can also now recycle their garden pots! Pots with resin codes 2, 5 and 6 (the number printed on the bottom of the pot) can be dropped off  at either locations of Strange’s Garden Center, 12111 W. Broad St.  or 3313 Mechanicsville Turnpike. The local effort is the beginning of a statewide initiative to redirect nursery containers from landfills to the recycling centers that will receive them.

Extension Agent Lisa Sanderson said that most metropolitan area recyclers do not accept nursery plastics. “But much of this plastic can be recycled into new garden pots and nursery containers,” she said. “We just need to collect it.”

For more information, visit the Green Tech website, or call the  Henrico Extension Office at 501-5160.

Speaking of helping the environment, the water conservation district is offering a rain barrel workshop. Area residents can learn to build and use a rain barrel at a 2-hour workshop offered by the Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) the class will be held Wednesday, June 9 and  Thursday, July 29 from 6-8 p.m. at the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive.

The SWCD workshops will provide materials and hands-on instruction to help participants construct their barrels, which can help homeowners conserve water by maintaining a supply of fresh water for outdoor use. Built from recycled food-grade plastic, the rain barrels also divert runoff from storm drains, protecting the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.

The workshops cost $45, including materials. Pre-registration is required. To register contact Henricopolis SWCD at 501-5175 or print out a registration form.