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. Plant pots are not currently on the BRAD accepted items list, so the reuse and take-back routes further down this page are your best bet for now.

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.

Most plant pots are made from polypropylene, code 5. Our plastics breakdown guide explains what each of the seven codes means and which ones your council will actually take.

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.

Can you send plant pots to BRAD?

Not at the moment. Plant pots, seedling and punnet trays, herb pots, drainage trays and saucers, grow bags and plastic plant labels are not on the BRAD accepted items list, so please leave them out of your BRAD box. Large pots over about 20cm, pots with soil that will not wash off, biodegradable or peat pots, and metal or ceramic pots are all better handled another way too.

The accepted list is updated regularly as new material streams open up, so it is genuinely worth a look before you pack anything.

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. The what BRAD does and doesn't accept guide is kept current too, so it is worth a look before you pack.

How to prepare plant pots for reuse or a pot swap

• 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. Wooden stakes are compostable.
• Nest pots together. Stack pots inside each other to reduce the space they take up while you store them.
• Batch collection works well. If you repot plants regularly, keep a bag for empty pots in your garden shed and pass them on in batches once you have a good collection.

Recycling your other hard-to-recycle items with BRAD: step by step

Once you have checked the accepted items list and know what you can send, here is how BRAD works:

• Purchase a BRAD Pre-Paid Label. Labels start at $18 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.

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. You can buy your BRAD Sydney Drop-Off here.

Other options for plastic plant pots

These are the routes to try for your pots:

• 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
• Council hard waste or a community recycling centre for large pots you cannot rehome
• Terracotta and ceramic pots as a more sustainable long-term option

If your community garden, nursery or school collects hard-to-recycle items together, the BRAD Pre-Paid Mega Box is designed for group collections and comes with signage and a recycling report.

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. Check your council's guidance, and try a pot swap or a nursery take-back scheme first.

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. They are not on the BRAD accepted items list either, so reuse or a nursery take-back scheme is the better route.

Does BRAD accept plant pots?

Not at the moment. Plant pots and seedling trays are not on the BRAD accepted items list. The list is updated regularly, so do check it before you pack, and in the meantime try a community garden pot swap or your local nursery.

How do I get rid of large plastic pots?

Check whether your local nursery has a take-back program, or ask your council about hard waste collection services and community recycling centres.