04-10-2012, 09:28 AM
Hi all,
I like the idea of refuse. Require places like Walmart and Target to have bins in front of their store where you can put that irritating packaging plastic. Of course, that begs the question of getting them to do something appropriate with the contents of the bin!
An example of making good use of plastics for a nursery... when we started the nursery production here we bought a whole slew of plastic pots, plastic shuttle trays, and azalea pots. I estimated that we'd get 3 rounds (18 months) of use from the 3" pots used for rooting cuttings. We're going on 6 years of that activity, and have not purchase any more. When we pot up, we wash the "used" pots in a bleach and soap solution, and reuse them. We are only just now starting to see some of them split down the sides. At that point, they go into the general glass/plastic bins at the transfer station. We also sell a fair number of that size to people who prefer rooted cuttings to more expensive plants. The same scenario for the azalea pots -- some have been used many many many many times! As that is our primary selling size, we have had to purchase more periodically (yeah!)
The shuttle trays are more problematic. If they sit in the sun for any length of time, they get distorted and the pots don't fit in the holes very well. They also seem to split more easily, as you're carrying 6 azalea pots in them complete with plant and media.
If we can differentiate between things that prove very reusable and durable, that would be good. It's the trash stuff I dislike. If the pots were not 1,2 or 5, I'd be searching for alternatives! We've got the cloth bags (bags of bags) in each vehicle, and I've gotten really good at taking them into the stores with me. They are also easier to carry if the store doesn't load them down too heavily. I for one, am in favor of the plastic bag ban.
Jane
I like the idea of refuse. Require places like Walmart and Target to have bins in front of their store where you can put that irritating packaging plastic. Of course, that begs the question of getting them to do something appropriate with the contents of the bin!
An example of making good use of plastics for a nursery... when we started the nursery production here we bought a whole slew of plastic pots, plastic shuttle trays, and azalea pots. I estimated that we'd get 3 rounds (18 months) of use from the 3" pots used for rooting cuttings. We're going on 6 years of that activity, and have not purchase any more. When we pot up, we wash the "used" pots in a bleach and soap solution, and reuse them. We are only just now starting to see some of them split down the sides. At that point, they go into the general glass/plastic bins at the transfer station. We also sell a fair number of that size to people who prefer rooted cuttings to more expensive plants. The same scenario for the azalea pots -- some have been used many many many many times! As that is our primary selling size, we have had to purchase more periodically (yeah!)
The shuttle trays are more problematic. If they sit in the sun for any length of time, they get distorted and the pots don't fit in the holes very well. They also seem to split more easily, as you're carrying 6 azalea pots in them complete with plant and media.
If we can differentiate between things that prove very reusable and durable, that would be good. It's the trash stuff I dislike. If the pots were not 1,2 or 5, I'd be searching for alternatives! We've got the cloth bags (bags of bags) in each vehicle, and I've gotten really good at taking them into the stores with me. They are also easier to carry if the store doesn't load them down too heavily. I for one, am in favor of the plastic bag ban.
Jane