The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Plastic Pot Recycling program has received the Award for Program Excellence from the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). The award recognizes an APGA member that has shown an innovative and pioneering spirit in the development of a horticultural program. Dr. Steve Cline, manager of the William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening and program founder, accepted the award at the 2008 APGA Annual Conference in Pasadena, Ca. on Jun. 25.

The Plastic Pot Recycling program was conceived as a solution to the piles of plastic garden pots and trays cluttering Cline’s home garage. Since its inception in 1997, the program has saved over 300 tons of horticultural waste from landfills. Organizers hope to collect a record 150,000 additional pounds of plastic this year as the program expands from six weekends to a six-month collection period.

Drop off plastic garden pots, polystyrene cell packs and trays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Collection trailers are located at the Garden’s Monsanto Center parking lot, 4500 Shaw Blvd. at Vandeventer Ave., and at seven retail garden centers throughout metro St. Louis: Bowood Farms in St. Louis city; Crabapple Cove Nursery in south St. Louis county; Garden Heights Nursery in Richmond Heights; Greenscape Gardens in Ballwin; Rolling Ridge Nursery in Webster Groves; SummerWinds at Timber Creek Nursery in Ellisville; and University Gardens in University City. Gardeners must sort and separate their plastic by its numbered type so it can be ground and recycled into new industry products.

ADD ONE: Plastic Pot Award