How to Recycle Plastic Plant Pots in Australia

Anyone who gardens, grows herbs, or has a balcony full of pot plants will know the problem: a steady accumulation of plastic pots with nowhere to go. Nurseries generate millions of plastic plant pots each year, and household gardeners aren’t far behind.

Most councils technically accept rigid plastics in the yellow bin, but plant pots have two specific issues that often lead them to be sorted out and landfilled: dark plastic and soil contamination. BRAD accepts them when properly prepared.

Why are plant pots tricky to recycle

Dark plastic

Most plastic plant pots are black or dark green. Standard kerbside sorting facilities use near-infrared (NIR) scanners to identify plastic types by their molecular signature. Dark carbon-black pigments absorb the infrared light and prevent the scanner from reading the plastic type. The result: the pot passes through unidentified and is rejected to landfill.

Soil contamination

Soil left in plant pots contaminates recycling batches. Even a thin layer of potting mix on the inside of a pot can add weight, introduce organic matter, and affect the quality of the recyclate. Pots must be cleaned before recycling.

What BRAD accepts

• Small plastic plant pots (seedling size up to approximately 20cm diameter)
• Seedling trays and punnet trays from nurseries and supermarkets
• Plastic herb pots from supermarkets
• Plastic drainage trays and saucers
• Plastic grow bags (cleaned and flattened)

Not accepted

• Large terracotta-look plastic pots over 20cm (too heavy for postal label allowance; check council hard waste services)
• Pots with heavy soil contamination that can’t be cleaned
• Biodegradable or peat pots (these can be composted)
• Metal or ceramic pots

For the most up-to-date list, always check what BRAD does and doesn’t accept before sending items in. This Digital - How to BRAD Downloadable guide has an up-to-date printable page with everything that we do and don't accept. 

How to prepare plant pots for BRAD

• Remove all soil. Turn pots upside-down and tap out as much soil as possible. Then rinse with water — a garden hose works well. Allow to dry completely before packing.
• Remove plant labels and stakes. Plastic plant labels can also go in your BRAD box. Wooden stakes are compostable.
• Nest pots together. Stack pots inside each other to reduce volume in your BRAD box.
• Batch collection works well. If you repot plants regularly, keep a bag for empty pots in your garden shed and send them in batches once you have a good collection.

How to recycle with BRAD: step by step

• Purchase a BRAD Pre-Paid Label. Labels are $15 for up to 2kg, or $30 for up to 4kg. Price includes postage and the full cost of recycling.
• Check your inbox. Within 2 hours you’ll receive an email with a form to complete. You’ll need your order number from your purchase confirmation.
• Fill in the form and download your prepaid label. Complete the form and print or save your Australia Post label.
• Pack and post. Attach the label to your box and drop it at a red Australia Post box or your local post office.
• Track your parcel. Follow its journey to Banish. Your BRAD voucher arrives automatically — no slip required inside the box.

BRAD Sydney Drop-Off: Prefer to drop off in person? Visit the Banish Sustainability Hub at Sydney’s Central Station. Open Tuesday to Friday, 9am–5pm. Drop-off costs $10 per 2kg.

Other options for plastic plant pots

Before sending plant pots to BRAD, consider whether they can be reused first:

• Pot swaps at local community gardens and garden clubs
• Nursery take-back: some nurseries accept returned plastic pots for reuse. Ask your local nursery.
• Seedling exchanges with neighbours and community gardens
• Terracotta and ceramic pots as a more sustainable long-term option

Upgrade your gardening with our Recycled Plastic Plant Pots, made from 100% recycled plastic and built to last.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can plant pots go in the yellow recycling bin?

It depends on your council. Some accept rigid plastics in the yellow bin, but plant pots are often rejected due to dark-coloured plastics that NIR scanners can’t read, and soil contamination. BRAD is a more reliable pathway for small clean pots.

Why are most plant pots black?

Black carbon pigment is added to plastics to UV-stabilise them for outdoor use, which is important for plant pots exposed to sunlight. Unfortunately, carbon-black pigment prevents infrared scanning, making these plastics very difficult to sort at standard facilities.

Can I put seedling trays in the yellow bin?

Check your local council, but seedling trays (like the ones from supermarket herb pots) are often rejected for the same reasons as black plant pots. BRAD accepts them if clean.

How do I get rid of large plastic pots?

Large pots (over ~20cm) are too heavy for a BRAD postal label. Check whether your local nursery has a take-back program, or ask your council about hard waste collection services.