How to Reuse/Recycle Garden Pots

***CCE Tompkins is NOT accepting garden pots or having a Pot Swap event at this time***

For many years, the CCE-Tompkins' Horticulture Program has coordinated a "Pot Swap" in which gardeners and growers could bring their used pots in to our Education Center for others to take home and reuse.  This traditionally has been held in June, following our huge Master Gardener Spring Garden Fair & Plant Sale. Due to decreased budget and alternatives for pot recycling, CCE Tompkins is NOT ACCEPTING POTS or hosting a pot swap. 

PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR GARDEN POTS AT CCE; STAFF CANNOT MANAGE THEM AT THIS TIME

Garden Pot Reuse/Recycling Information

Reuse

Check with your local nursery! Some accept rigid pots, but not usually the cell packs. (eg Early Bird Nursery, but call first!)

Freecycle https://www.freecycle.org/town/IthacaNY

Trash Nothing https://trashnothing.com/ithaca-free

Craigslist https://ithaca.craigslist.org/

Facebook - Ithaca Families Gift Economy https://www.facebook.com/groups/ithacagifteconomy

Recycling

Pots are accepted at Home Depot

https://ecoactions.homedepot.com/blog/projects/recycle-plastic-plant-pots-at-home-depot

Tompkins County Recycling

WILL NOT RECYCLE - "Plastic plant pots and trays" are considered trash, even plastic pots labeled #5 plastic.

Alternatives:

6 Biodegradable Seedling Pots You Already Have at Home

https://www.ruralsprout.com/biodegradable-seedling-pots

University of Kentucky, Cooperative Extension
Alternative Containers for a Sustainable Greenhouse and Nursery Crop Production

https://nursery-crop-extension.mgcafe.uky.edu/sites/nursery-crop-extension.ca.uky.edu/files/extension_pub_-_overview_of_alternative_containers.pdf

Last updated June 4, 2026