Nurseries Throwing out Plants.

11 years ago

I was at ACE hardware today and i saw a giant box full of plants being thrown out by the dumpsters. My eyes nearly popped out in shock at how wasteful this was so when I was done shopping I went over there and saved some of the plants from there and brought them home. The people at the store looked at me like I was crazy as well as my dad but I don't care its free and I love free. Also while i was getting the plants I saw they were throwing out ripped bags of garden soil! i didn't have room for every thing but if everything is still there tomorrow i will go in the store and just ask if i can have all the garden items they are throwing out. Today i was able to get several plants of Thyme , a rosemary , assorted mint plants, and begonias all of which (except the Begonias) are perennials in my area. Does anyone else do this? if so are their any big box stores that any one knows of that will give away the plants they are throwing out? I just hate to see all these plants being wasted (especially the perennials). coming up on Fall I know a lot of stores will be throwing plants out in prep for winter. Feel free to share your experiences about this topic.

Thanks

Featured Answer

Pistachios (Zone 7)

11 years ago

I understand protecting profits, but the waste is absurd. Many stores sell items on clearance/deep discount to avoid throwing out plants. Or, better yet, why not offer the plantings to non-profits, schools, retirement homes, etc.? Good publicity + lack of waste = win/win.

There are much better ways than just throwing things out.

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Comments (7)

sylviatexas1
11 years ago
Many of the big box stores now put their discards in dumpsters & lock the dumpsters.

sad, but it's a matter of protecting their profits.

As long as your Ace lets you pick up the plants, bless them.
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nowyousedum
11 years ago
On another forum, I saw a gardener say that she had an ICU garden bed. What a genius idea! She buys up the sad little plants that are deeply discounted and puts them in a bed out of sight and nurses them back to health. Then she transplants them to other areas of the yard once they are viable.
thazit78
10 years ago
PROFIT! It's all about profit.The store managers wan't to sell them for 25c, cause they get paid on profit. The CORPORATE GODS on the other hand want the "loss" write-off on taxes for the full amount they paid-hence the locked dumpsters! They could give them away-and some do (Wal mart gave 100 pointsettas to a group that collects for nursing homes, but that involves "PAPERWORK". Managers require approval from corporate for charitable giving and usually have a limit of $10 to $25 . It's not worth there time. Do you know a manager of a big box? They don't have time to take a krap. let alone spend 45 minutes you, then do the paperwork. There hearts are often in the right place, but there workload isn't. I are one, and it's true!
Sunnyin SanDiego
10 years ago
I love the idea of an ICU garden bed. Might have to build one of those...
Patriz
10 years ago
There are now large notices on dumpsters saying removal of items from dumpster is theft.
California Garden Guy
10 years ago
ICU ICU ICU! Lets all build one :D

That is such a great idea!

Join me in the garden! ➜ https://goo.gl/GHO5MN