At the end of this month, millions of gardeners across England may encounter a postcode lottery if they try to recycle their plant pots at home, according to the Horticultural Trades Association.

The trade association, along with its members and partners, is reminding local authorities that they must now include recyclable plant pots in their household kerbside collections from 31 March, as part of the Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed in 2024 that plant pots would be included under the Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2024. They fall into the remit of recyclable household plastic waste, which includes polyethene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polyethene bottles, pots, tubs, and trays. This means that non-black plastic plant pots made from these materials should be collected as part of household recycling services.

The horticulture sector began moving away from traditional black plastic pots several years ago, switching to recyclable alternatives, such as taupe and other non-black polypropylene pots, which can be detected by near-infrared sorting technology used in recycling facilities.

However, the industry is aware that some local authorities are still advising residents not to place plant pots in recycling bins. The HTA is therefore urging councils to review their guidance ahead of the new arrangements taking effect.

Samantha Smith, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the HTA, said: “From 31 March, non-black recyclable plastic plant pots should be included in household recycling collections under the Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms.

“Our sector has spent years transitioning away from black plastic pots specifically so they can be recycled through household systems. Gardeners should now be able to place these pots in their recycling with confidence.

“We are calling on councils across England to ensure their guidance and communications reflect the new regulations so that recyclable plant pots are collected consistently and don’t end up being unnecessarily thrown away.”

Each year, the UK horticulture sector supplies hundreds of millions of plant pots to gardeners and landscapers. Most are designed to be reused multiple times and increasingly made from recyclable materials.

HTA member retailers are also supporting clearer guidance for consumers.

Samantha Dyer, Head of Responsible Business at B&Q, said: “Customers want to garden more sustainably, and being able to recycle plant pots at home will make a real difference. Clear and consistent guidance from councils will help ensure more of these materials are captured and recycled rather than thrown away.”

The HTA and RECOUP - the UK’s leading independent authority and trusted voice on plastics resource efficiency and recycling, has also written to major waste management operators, including Biffa, Suez, FCC Environment, Veolia, Serco and Norse Group, asking them to help ensure councils are aware of the requirements and that guidance to residents is updated accordingly.

Paul East, Technical Packaging Lead at RECOUP, said: “RECOUP has worked with our members to ensure, by robust trials, that their plant pots are recyclable, and are ready to be included in the Simpler Recycling regulations.”

The HTA says consistent communication from councils will be essential to avoid confusion among gardeners and ensure recyclable plastics are captured rather than unnecessarily sent to landfill or incineration. The HTA will also monitor how councils implement the new rules and may publish analysis highlighting where guidance has not yet been updated to help ensure consistent recycling across the country.

How to recycle plant pots from 31 March

Gardeners in England should be able to recycle non-black plastic plant pots in their household recycling. The minimum size requirement in legislation is 40mmx40mm.

What to do:

• Reuse pots where possible
• Remove excess compost or soil
• Rinse if needed
• Don’t stack the pots
• Place in your household recycling bin with other plastic pots, tubs and trays

Black plastic pots that cannot be detected by recycling sorting systems may still need to be disposed of separately, depending on local guidance.

If plant pots meet the above requirements and are still not collected, raise the issue directly with your local authority.