Green Home: Items that You Can Reuse as Planters

Buying regular planters can be a bit expensive, especially if you are buying a lot of them. In addition, you will eventually have to discard them into the garbage. Instead, consider using items for planters that are already destined for the garbage. There are plenty of items that you can reuse that will make excellent eco-friendly planters indoors, on your porch or in your garden.

Cinderblocks

You would be surprised how many cinderblocks are actually just dumped somewhere (and they are not necessarily from companies). I have seen cinderblocks abandoned in parking lots, along train tracks and even on the sides of rivers. Contact a local construction company and ask them if they have any cinderblocks that they are planning on discarding. The cinderblocks would look interesting lined up against a fence in your yard with beautiful flowers coming out of them.

Tires

This is another item I frequently see dumped everywhere including on the sides of highways and stuck in frozen waterways. Send out an email to your contacts and ask them to give you any tires that are not good any more. You can put them in your back yard, and even stack a few, with flowing plants growing from the holes.

Ceiling light covers/ fixtures

I have one on my front porch right now that serves as an eco-friendly, elaborate looking planter. Instead of discarding light covers or fixtures that you no longer want, turn it into an interesting planter for your porch or windowsill. Put it in an area where it will not easily get broken or damaged.

Plastic Milk Jugs

You can cut these down to any size that you wish and use the bottoms as planters. Paint the outside or even decoupage it to make it look a bit more bright and cheerful. Do not throw the top portion of the milk jug away, as it can protect the plants during bad weather. Take the top, put it over the plant so it matches up with the cut bottom portion and tape the two pieces together until the bad weather passes. It will help protect the plant from any damage.

Children's plastic pails

The plastic pails that you take to the beach may eventually end up in the landfill. Considering they are usually bright colored, they will make a nice edition to your backyard or even to your porch. They can also be easily carried and transported from one area to another.

Tall, wooden cigar boxes

These can actually make lovely and interesting looking planters for your windowsill. Line the inside of the cigar boxes with plastic to protect the wood, and then put your plant in. Make sure you use the tall cigar boxes, as the short ones may not give the roots of the plants enough room to grow.

You may be surprised at how many items that are discarded on a daily basis can actually be turned into planters. Not only are you reusing items, but you are helping plants to grow, both of which can help the environment.