Is Growing Food in a Plastic Container Safe?

One of the questions that people frequently ask me is revolved around the health concerns of growing in the plastic containers.

Is it safe to grow in plastic containers? Is it leaching harmful toxins into the soil, water, plants and eventually my body. I honestly have no clue, nor do I claim to. I think there is a valid concern in those beliefs and generally avoid plastic, but I rationalize doing so in a few ways.

What are your thoughts on this?

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• balcony
• garden
• urban
• organic
• gardening
• plastic
• leaching

[Dragonbeast1038]

Generally, plastic resin is not harmful. Recycled plastics are actually more dangerous, since you don't know what the plastic was holding or in contact with, before it got recycled. Which brings me to my next point, the only potentially harmful substances leeching from your containers to your growing mix/soil is what they were holding before. It's not always possible to know, especially if you're reusing buckets. Plants also have some protection from contaminants, except for heavy metals.

[CanarsieBK]

@Dragonbeast1038 Yea there is so much information out there. Can get to be overwhelming.

[TheScruffyJones]

We have to compromise at times. Your rationalizations are, well, rational!

[CanarsieBK]

@TheScruffyJones I do my best to be rational in this irrational world.

[missmetalflower]

we have a huge tree that fell so we cut off logs and stood them on end to make a troph then I filled that and made a garden bed...being resourseful is better than spending so much money on all the "right" materials. I reckon given your choices Canarsie, buckets was the better way to go, lightweight material and adequately roomy.

[CanarsieBK]

@missmetalflower Exactly.

[CanarsieBK]

@Gardensandcabins Yes. We can limit our exposure, but need not to waste it.

[DjKehmist]

The thicker the plastic the less it leaches out.

@TheScruffyJonesI love the idea of making pots out of logs the only thing is do they get rotten easily?

[TheScruffyJones]

@missmetalflower My dad and I used to do that with hollowed logs! I'll do it again too. Thanks for mention that because it brought a happy childhood flashback, wink!

[GospelTruth37059]

@CanarsieBK That makes sence