Ontario garden centres to collect garden plastics June 21 to July 1

Participating garden centres across Ontario are working with environmentally-responsible gardeners to collect and recycle plastic plant pots, cell packs, and trays during the 2013 National Plastic Recycling Event.

This initiative began back in 2008 when Landscape Ontario began a small pilot project to allow gardeners to drop off clean, dry garden plastics at designated garden centres. The program has been expanded across Canada. Last year over 50 garden in eight provinces took part.

"It is important for the original green industry to set an example," says Tony DiGiovanni, executive director at Landscape Ontario. "This program helps our members" the garden centres, growers, landscapers - in their collective journey to "green" the horticultural industry. We look forward to a successful event and to expanding the plastic recycling program across Ontario."

CNLA has put together an online tool-kit for participating garden retailers to use to help them run a successful event which includes free promotional material templates branded with provincial association logos, press release templates and an FAQ for hosting a successful plastics recycling program. CNLA will be sending out press releases leading up to the event to promote participating member garden centres and the industry’s environmental stewardship efforts.

For more information, visit www.cnla-acpp.ca. Members may sign up for the program any time before the June 21 start date. To confirm that you will participate as a recycling drop-point, email Julia Ricottone at julia@cnla-acpp.ca.

Landscape Ontario members accepting horticultural plastic from June 21-July 1

• LittleTree Garden Market, Fergus
• Make it Green Garden Centre, Ottawa
• Richmond Nursery, Richmond
• Sheridan Nurseries, Unionville, Toronto, Mississauga (Southdown & Burnhamthorpe), Kitchener, Scarborough, North York, Georgetown, Whitby
• Sipkens Nurseries, Wyoming
• Sunshine Express Garden Centre, Niagara-on-the-Lake
• Walter’s Greenhouses & Garden Centre, Brant