Using Plastic containers as planters.

donadoni

Hello,

My work uses 25litre plastic containers that contain chemical based solutions for cleaning pipe lines etc.
We can't return them to the provider if we lose the tops, so I plan to take them home and use them next year for growing carrots etc.
Obviously I will rinse them out and cut off the tops to give proper access to the inside,then make drainage holes on the bottom, but can anyone think of a reason not to use them?
Will they generate too much heat?
Will the plastic material give off some odour that would give a reaction?

Thanks in advance.

Farway

Are they clear plastic or opaque? [like a milk container]

If opaque then I see no reason not to use them, but would be wary if leaving them in full sun in case the UV turns them brittle and they just crumble away before you harvest

I think this really is a case of nothing ventured, nothing gained

mcgrow

Have a look on the base to see if there's a triangle with a number inside (or letters nearby), if there is, use the following page to find out which plastic it is, and then read more about the advantages/disadvantages:

Hmm, I'm not allowed to post links, so search for "Resin Identification Code" on Wikipedia to get the page.

donadoni

Thanks for the info and help.

The material is more opaque, so that should be okay, and I'll take a look at the link about the plastic.

Cheers,

Donald.

Lotus-eater

donadoni wrote: »

Hello,

My work uses 25litre plastic containers that contain chemical based solutions for cleaning pipe lines etc.

I probably wouldn't, but everyone has to make up their own mind.
Maybe if I left them out for a while and then only if they didn't smell of anything.

Lets put it this way, if you bought some organic carrots that you found out had been growing in an old pipe cleaning chemical container, would you still be happy to eat them? If you would, then use them.

They should last a couple of years before they get too brittle.

invisiblecabbage

My OH works for the Fire Service and the plastic containers that the foam stuff comes in make ideal planters for my potatoes. I feel quite sure they are thoroughly cleaned as he uses the hose off the fireengine to blast them clean!

katholicos

I think i would be tempted to line them ....but then that might defeat the object of using them.