The horticultural industry is leading the battle against single-use plastics and plans were announced in August to introduce the first kerbside recyclable plant pots in 2019, which will completely replace the current black plastic pots that cannot be recycled.

One nursery has worked tirelessly in recent weeks to bring this date forward. Hillier Nurseries in Hampshire took delivery of their first pots last week, making it the first nursery in the UK to grow a commercially potted crop in a recyclable pot. Hillier plants will be the first product through any UK retailer to be available in a kerbside recyclable pot giving customers the environmentally friendly option they’ve been looking for.

Hillier Nurseries constantly strives to explore sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic and the new taupe kerbside recyclable plant pot will be used across the entire Hillier wholesale nursery business, replacing the old black plastic pot.

Chris Francis, Hillier Garden Centres and Wholesale Nurseries Director, commented: “This is a real breakthrough in the industry and we are delighted to be the leading the way as the first UK nursery to commercially use the new taupe recyclable pot. Hillier has always been a pioneer within horticulture and the introduction of the new kerbside recyclable plant pot throughout our Nurseries will have a considerable impact as we forge ahead towards finding sustainable solutions to this global issue.”

Currently 76% of Local Authorities collect pots, tubs and trays as part of their kerbside recycling schemes but not many collect the black plant pots. This is because the plant pots contain carbon black pigment which absorbs Infra-Red from detection systems, hindering recycling. The new pot will use a carbon black pigment free polypropylene solving this problem.

Hillier is committed to driving positive change and working in partnership in the horticulture industry and each year makes a concerted effort in developing new plants, new ways of growing and utilising new technology to ensure the growth of the industry in a safe and sustainable way for generations to come.

For more information please visit www.hillier.co.uk.