Ditch the Plastic: Smarter, Low-Waste Gardening That Works

Plastic has become deeply embedded in all aspects of our lives. That includes in our gardens, from pots and seed trays to plant labels, weed mats, tools and packaging.

While plastic is undoubtedly convenient, it also comes with significant environmental and health concerns. Globally, plastic pollution is prevalent in our waterways and oceans,¹ leaching harmful chemicals into our soils, and contributing to climate change through its fossil-fuel-based production.

The good news? There are many simple, effective ways to reduce plastic in your garden without changing too much about how you do things or sacrificing plant health. It starts with making thoughtful choices and considering some alternatives.

Here are four key principles to guide a more sustainable approach:

Shop carefully and consciously – seek out plastic-free options and consider the lifecycle of what you buy.
Choose natural materials where possible – you may be surprised at the large selection of non-plastic gardening tools and supplies available.
Opt for local, home-made, and thrifty solutions – reducing your reliance on mass-produced goods and embrace creativity is usually the most sustainable option.
Care for and maintain your garden supplies and gear – reuse and repurpose whenever possible and dispose of items responsibly when they reach the end of their life.

The following table offers practical ways to put these principles into action. These tips will help you to grow your plants without growing your plastic footprint.

Do you have other ideas for reducing plastic in the garden? Get in touch, we’d love to hear them!

Item	Plastic-free alternatives
Seed trays and punnets	DIY wooden seedling trays DIY newspaper or toilet roll pots, egg cartons Soil blocks Coir or peat-free biodegradable pots Grow from seed rather than buying seedlings
Pots and containers	Terracotta, ceramic, wine barrels Coir or peat-free biodegradable pots Reuse black plastic pots as many times as possible; recycle at a PP5.com.au collection point (not in council recycle bins) Get creative and thrifty with alternatives!
Plant labels	Paddle pop sticks Bamboo, slate, metal or copper labels Refuse labels at community nurseries or when buying in bulk
Plant ties	Jute, hemp, hessian or cotton twine or ties Cotton t-shirt cut into strips
Stakes and trellises	Bamboo or timber Grow your own eg bamboo, hazel Use plants as supports eg three sisters
Tree guards	Cardboard or coir tree guards Cardboard boxes (milk cartons for small plants)
Weed mat	Wool, jute or coir weed mat or squares Sheet mulch using newspaper or cardboard Hessian sacks, used coffee roasters’ bags and clothing made from natural fibres Mulch Plant to fill gaps and bare soil
Fake turf	Lawn No-mow lawn alternatives or garden beds Mulch or timber decking if lawn is not needed
Bird and insect netting	Plant-based netting is available but not in Australia Make individual bags by stapling metal fly screen mesh Reuse light fabric or lace curtains making sure it meets wildlife friendly netting criteria
Frost covers	Wrap frost-sensitive plants in hessian or layers of newspaper overnight (must remove the next day) Mound straw around frost-sensitive plants Delay planting frost-sensitive plants
Shade cloth	Reuse curtains or fine fabric making sure it meets wildlife friendly netting criteria
Tabletop greenhouses	Start seeds indoors Use berry punnets as mini greenhouses then transplant (*plastic reuse rather than avoidance) Delay planting then plant outdoors in warmer weather
Soil, potting mix and compost	Buy in bulk Make your own compost and worm castings Make your own seed raising mix Reuse soft plastic soil bags as garbage bags (they are often too dirty for soft plastic recycling)
Hand tools	Timber or metal Buy good quality and clean and maintain tools to extend their use
Gloves	Cotton, canvas, bamboo and leather options available
Pesticide, herbicide and fertilizer bottles	Consider physical, cultural and biological alternatives Make your own using non-toxic household ingredients and store in glass jars Buy concentrates to reduce amount of packaging
Spray bottles and tanks	No alternative Clean and maintain to prolong their useful life Some pesticides and herbicides can be applied with a watering can (follow manufacturer’s advice)
Watering cans	Metal
Garden hoses	No alternative Care for hoses to prolong their useful life
Garden hose fittings	Brass fittings and watering wands Keep plastic fittings out of direct sunlight when not in use
Irrigation systems	No alternative?
Water tanks	Galvanised metal Get expert advice on the most appropriate material for your site, needs and budget
Garden edging	Timber or metal (eg corten) Opt to do without edging
Garden furniture	Timber, metal or glass furniture Keep furniture with plastic fittings out of direct sunlight when not in use to prolong its life