Plastic Isn't The Only Option –– How Copper Planters Are An Eco-Friendly Choice

Plastic planters are a go-to choice for many gardeners. They're inexpensive, lightweight, and versatile, but they're far from the only option. If you're in the market for new planters that combine sustainability with a little style and flair, then copper planters should also be on your radar.

Copper planters like copper trellises are a beautiful way to use copper in the garden. And unlike plastic, which does crack and become brittle after years of being outside in the elements, copper naturally develops a protective green-blue patina called verdigris over time. Copper's resistance to corrosion overall, along with its malleability, is why the metal has been used for centuries on everything from rooftops to cookware.

Copper's longevity is a big part of what makes it a sustainable gardening option. What's more, it retains its value over time. Even old and damaged copper can be recycled so there's really never any need to send copper to the landfill.

Obviously, no material is completely impact-free. However, choosing something like copper that's designed to last is definitely a more sustainable approach than repeatedly replacing cracked plastic pots every few years (even as you find new creative ways to reuse them).

Although it's true that producing copper requires significant energy and natural resources, a well-made copper planter can be passed down for generations if you take good care of it, so it's much less likely to end up in a landfill after a few growing seasons have worn it down (like a plastic pot).

Sometimes, being sustainable isn't about getting the "greenest" material upfront; sometimes, it's about choosing something you know you won't have to replace every few years. And a copper planter, which is built to last and can become more beautiful with time, is one of those examples. 

While copper has more longevity than plastic, another advantage is how easy copper is to recycle. There are, of course, easy ways to recycle your plastic nursery pots today, too, which include the fact that many garden centers now accept them for recycling or reuse, but copper can also be recycled over and over again, and without losing its quality. Basically, the same metal pieces can be turned into new copper products indefinitely, which is a massive environmental advantage.

Per the International Copper Association, an estimated two-thirds of all the copper produced in the last 100 years — dating back to the 1920s — is still in use today. That said, it's perhaps then surprising we don't see more copper planters in gardens, but here's hoping that changes.