Green Thumbs Spawn Plastic Trash

The bucolic vegetable plot, or the colorful flower garden is not a place to contemplate landfill waste. It's a refuge from the uglier realities of modern society. But nonetheless, gardeners are responsible for producing an estimated 320 million pounds of plastic waste every year. Yes, all those little flower pots, potting forms, soil bags and other waste -- all of it adds up. For consumers, there are two options: Be aware of packaging, even at the garden store. Some garden shops use alternatives, such as plantable biodegradable flower pots. For those that don't, consumers can approach proprietors with a smile and 320 million reasons to look into alternatives, according to a story in the June 10 Chicago Tribune.