Cast the plastic aside

Change your garden pots, trays and accessories for more environmentally friendly versions, suggests HANNAH STEPHENSON

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AS Plastic Free July is upon us, it's time to ditch those plastic garden accessories and choose some different ones to replace them.

And whatever you decide to swap, make sure that it's not going to arrive wrapped in a load of plastic which isn't biodegradable - check how items are going to be packaged before you buy.

CHOOSE BAMBOO

Bamboo pots, trays, gloves and even socks are widely available and can be easily swapped for your old plastic versions (although, if you can, reuse old plastic trays and pots). You can even get gardening tools with bamboo handles.

Bamboo accessories can also be reused and will hold their shape but will eventually biodegrade. Just make sure that items like gloves don't contain any plastic (epoxy) resin. The label should say they are 100% compostable, which means it will break down.

Where to buy: Haxnicks, products pictured below, and Dobbies Garden Centres have a wide range of bamboo items.

ALTERNATIVE GLOVES