Designing with Greener Planters

By Lexine Schroeder, Botanika Interior Plantscapes

Plants are “green” by nature. So, using plants in your interior designs must

make your project “greener,” right? That might be the case, but depending

on the materials you’ve selected, your plantscape might not be as eco-friendly

as you’d hoped.

It‘s logical to assume your plantings are environmentally friendly; we know

that plants clean carbon dioxide and toxins out of the air, including toxic

gases gradually released – or “off-gassed” – by paints, carpets, and adhesives.

And plants themselves can be “recycled” by composting them after

They’ve completed their life cycles.

However, the decorative containers (“planters” or “plant pots”) used to

dress up a plant can vary widely in their eco-friendliness. Some are made

from materials like fiberglass and plastics, which release toxic gases during

the manufacturing process. Other planters are finished with paints or

stains containing toxic VOCs – “volatile organic compounds” – which will

continue to off-gas in your client’s home long after delivery. Many plant

pots are made abroad (especially in China and Vietnam) and then shipped

long distances to end users, which increases the carbon footprint dramatically.

And some planters are made of materials that cannot be recycled,

which means they’ll eventually end up in a landfill. What’s an eco-conscious

designer to do?

Fortunately, some decorative containers are made of non-toxic recycled

materials, so they can be recycled themselves someday. Other sustainable

planters are made of renewable resources, and are durable enough to last

generations. If you wish to make your project as eco-friendly as possible,

it pays to ask a few questions about the planters you plan to specify and

where they came from. Here are some tips on what to look for in

“green” planters:

1) Specify planters that are made of post-consumer recycled materials,

such as metal or glass. “Post-consumer” means the manufacturer got

the material via consumer recycling bins rather than reclaiming valuable

industrial scraps that get used anyway. Post-consumer recycling helps

keep waste out of our landfills.

2) Try to find decorative containers made of renewable materials, such as

bamboo, which re-grows rapidly after being harvested and does not

need to be replanted. Wood products also qualify, as long as they are

from forests that are managed sustainably. Ask the manufacturer if their

timber supplies are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. If you

can’t find such planters in the style you want, ask your favorite woodworker

to craft them for you. A quality wood planter can be very

durable if cared for properly.

3) Be sure the plant pots you specify have low or no VOCs in their paints,

glazes, and stains.

4) Look for ceramic containers that are manufactured sustainably.

Technology now exists to allow ceramics manufacturers to minimize

emissions and recycle not only their waste water but also the waste

heat from their kilns.

5) Use concrete planters that incorporate recycled concrete and use

recycled glass as filler. Concrete requires a large amount of energy to

produce but is one of few products durable enough to withstand

outdoor environments.

6) Buy locally! Many stylish, sustainable planters are made in California

and nearby states, and California has very high manufacturing-emissions

standards. By buying locally, you also eliminate the pollution produced

during freight. If you buy products made in San Diego County, you can

even prevent excess packaging by requesting blanket-wrapped delivery.

Sustainable plant pots are becoming more common with each passing

year, with greater variety in style and color. By following the guidelines

listed above, designers can now confidently add the perfect “green”

finishing touch to any project and help their clients breathe easy!

Lexine owns Botanika Interior Plantscapes, an ASID Industry Partner. She

is a volunteer member of ASID San Diego’s Eco Committee, and manages

the Eco Committee’s blog at www.ecoasidsd.blogspot.com/ . Contact her

at lexine@botanikaplants.com or 619-729-5715 if you’d like to share your

sustainable design expertise on the blog or if you’d like to participate in

the ASID Eco Committee, which meets monthly at the ASID office.