Earth Day and Recycled Seedling Containers

Though it is unseasonably nice weather here in Texas (in the low 80’s), in many locations  there is still snow on the ground (sorry about that Seattle) or others just showing the first signs of spring.  Whatever your weather, many people  start their gardens by planting in recycled materials. 

Recycling is important and today is Earth Day, a way of our recognizing how our actions can benefit or hurt our planet.

My wife is a Yankee and seems to find a way to recycle in many ways. So cans, plastic bottles and other ‘trashable’ items become recycled planters.  These items have a second life as plant containers. After transplanting the plants into their final home, the starting containers are rinsed them out and are off to the recyclers.

Not everything is suitable for recycling though. Some recent studies have led the Canadian government to consider banning items with BPA. BPA is bisphenol-A. It’s a chemical used to make plastic bottles shatterproof.  Many exercise water bottles and baby bottles contain BPA.  Even many aluminum cans are lined with BPA. Even organic producers are using BPA in their cans.

Why consider the ban? In a study with lab rats/mice, BPA appears to have carcinogenic qualities. It appears BPA can lead to an increase in prostate and breast cancers. 

Is this a definitive study? No, it’s just the initial step. But as my internet attorney Mike Young says, “It’s an individual’s responsibility to take personal responsibility. Use your own best judgment for what works for your family and you.”

So how can you avoid BPA? Use fresh or frozen vegetables. When using plastic bottles or containers, look for the triangle on the bottom. If the number 7 is inside the triangle and the plastic is hard not soft plastic, then consider an alternative.  If you are planting seeds or seedlings in containers, avoid cans. It’s difficult to tell which ones are lined with BPA and which ones are not.

Recycling and reusing containers is a way of starting seedlings in a small protected environment. Rinse your containers out with warm soapy water before using. Consider whether the container you choose uses BPA.

All in a gardener’s day,

Thanks for the fantastic graphic photo of the earth by Barun Patro