Recycled Ocean Plastic Plant Pots: From Devon Ghost Nets to Your Garden
We believe a plant pot should not only help something grow. It should protect wildlife and not leave a trail of waste behind it.
That simple idea sits at the heart of our new range of ocean plastic plant pots, made from ghost nets found along the Devon and Cornish coasts. These abandoned fishing nets are a serious problem for marine life, beaches, and coastal communities. When they are recovered and reimagined into useful products, they become part of a better cycle of life.
What are Ecotribo's recycled ocean plastic plant pots?
Ecotribo's recycled ocean plastic plant pots are made from 100% recovered ghost fishing nets collected along the Devon and Cornish coastlines. Manufactured in the UK, these durable garden pots give discarded fishing nets a new purpose while supporting coastal clean-up initiatives and marine conservation. Through Ecotraceability®, customers can discover the journey of the materials, from coastal recovery and processing through to the finished plant pot.
Our new Recycled Plant Pots are designed for gardeners, growers, plant lovers, and eco-conscious homes that want practical products with a real story behind them. They come in two sizes and three colours, making them easy to use for herbs, houseplants, seedlings, patio displays, and everyday growing, indoors and outdoors.
What makes them different is not only the recycled material. It is the traceability we call Ecotraceability®. Through our Sea Change in Action work, customers can see exactly where the material came from, how it moved through the supply chain, and who helped us at Ecotribo turn discarded nets into long-lasting plant pots.
How many kilograms of ghost nets have been recovered?
For our latest batch of plant pots we collected and processed 69kg of materials directly into this large plant pot batch. Each plant pot is around 330g and we made 210 large size plant pots give or take.
How many individual nets have been collected?
We collected around 300kgs of nets from Saunton beach for the yellow batch. Jack at the Saunton Beach maintenance crew got in touch with us and we brought them back the HQ. We also collected from blue nets from Gwynver, Cornwall collected by Clean Ocean Sailing. The green nets were collected around Devon and Cornwall. We used the materials to make our plastic sheets which have been used in our range of knives, plastic sheets and ocean plastic medals and trophies.
Which beaches or coastal areas supplied the material?
The materials were collected from North Devon, Cornwall, Bristol Harbour and Falmouth Cornwall. Each plant pot has a product label which clearly states the coastal location via the QR code. Customers can scan the label with their phone to be taken to the landing page for each cleanup and see the process from shore to shelf.
Who processes the recovered nets?
We are currently a small team husband and wife team who work with a range of beach cleaning crews who help us collect the fishing nets and ropes. We then process the materials at Ecotribo Headquarters in North Devon. We clean, shred, make our Ocean plastic sheets and then granulate the sheets after we have used them in our other processes. The granulate is then injection moulded by a solar powered micro-factory in Bristol, United Kingdom.
Why ghost nets are such a serious ocean plastic problem
Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been lost, abandoned, or discarded at sea. They can drift for years, break down into smaller plastic fragments, and continue to trap wildlife long after they have stopped being used by the fishing industry.
For coastal areas like Devon and Cornwall, this is more than an environmental issue seen from a distance. Nets and other marine plastic waste can wash up on beaches, collect around coves, and affect the wildlife that depends on clean shorelines and healthy seas.
Ghost nets can pose risks to:
Seals and other marine mammals that can become entangled
Seabirds that may get caught in fibres or mistake plastic for nesting material
Fish and smaller marine species living near the coast
Beach habitats where plastic waste can build up over time
Collecting these nets is hard work. They can be heavy, tangled, weathered, and difficult to remove safely. That is why partnerships matter. We work with a range of coastal charities that help collect the nets and support the wider effort to protect marine wildlife. Check out our various beach cleaning crews we have worked with from Captain Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd, Clean ocean Sailing to Earth Action North Devon and the National Trust.
Turning ghost nets into plant pots does not solve ocean plastic on its own. No single product can. But it does give a harmful waste material a new purpose, while helping fund and support the systems that remove it from places where it should never have been. The income helps fund beach cleans and our recycled Ocean Plastic workshops with kids and adults along the coast. These workshops help us inspire the new generation of scientists, designers and marine conservationists who will help us change the tide on waste.
From coastal waste to useful garden products
The journey from ghost net to plant pot starts at the coast.
Nets are found and collected through coastal clean-up work and charity partnerships. Once recovered, the material enters a managed supply chain where it can be sorted, processed, and prepared for reuse. The aim is to keep valuable plastic in use, rather than allowing it to remain in the sea, on beaches, get incinerated or end up in landfill.
This is the idea behind a circular approach to product design. Instead of making new plastic from virgin material, existing plastic waste is given another life.
For gardeners, this matters because plant pots are often treated as throwaway items. Cheap plastic pots can crack, split, fade, or sit unused in sheds and garages. Many are difficult to recycle through household systems, especially if they are dirty, black, or made from mixed plastics.
A better plant pot should be:
Durable enough for repeated planting
Practical enough for indoor and outdoor use
Made from recycled material wherever possible
Easy to love, so it stays in use for longer
Clear about its origins, so customers can trust the eco claims
Our ocean plastic pots were created with that thinking in mind. They are not novelty items. They are everyday growing products made from a waste stream that has a direct link to the sea and the wild spaces we love.
Full supply chain traceability makes the difference
Eco claims can be hard to judge. Words like sustainable, green, recycled, and ocean-bound are used widely, but they do not always tell the full story.
That is why our Ecotraceability® traceability is such an important part of this range.
With our Sea Change in Action work, customers can follow the story behind the product. That means seeing the route from recovered ghost nets through to the finished plant pot. It also means understanding the people and partners involved along the way.
Full supply chain traceability helps answer the questions many customers now ask before buying:
Where did the material come from?
Who collected it?
How was it processed?
How much recycled material is used? (Ours use 100% recycled Ocean Plastics)
Who made the final product?
What positive impact does the product support?
This level of detail builds trust. It also gives more value to the finished pot, because it connects a simple garden item to a real chain of action.
A recycled product should not ask people to rely on vague promises. It should show the work behind the claim. That is especially true for ocean plastic products, where the source of the material matters. Some manufacturers have started to have an 'Ocean Range' - ask them exactly where the materials were recovered and how much is actually recycled Ocean plastic. Ours use 100% ghost nets found on our shores and we tell you exactly where we found it and document the process from shore to shelf.
When a plant pot can be traced back to recovered ghost nets from the Devon and Cornish coasts, the story becomes clear. It is local in origin, practical in use, and linked to direct action on marine waste. We manufacture locally too. This helps clean local UK beaches and supports coastal communities.
Designed for real homes, gardens, and growing spaces
A strong environmental story only works if the product is useful.
These ocean plastic plant pots have been made for everyday planting, not just for display. With two sizes, it is easier to match the pot to the plant. Smaller pots can work well for herbs, young plants, windowsills, cuttings, and compact houseplants. Larger pots give more room for established plants, patio greenery, and seasonal displays.
The three colour options give flexibility too. Some people prefer quiet, natural tones that blend into a garden. Others want a pot that adds colour to a shelf, balcony, or greenhouse. Offering a small, considered colour range keeps the choice simple while making the pots easier to style in different spaces.
These pots fit well in:
Kitchen windowsills with herbs
Conservatories and bright indoor corners
Balconies and small urban gardens
Patios and courtyards
Greenhouses and potting sheds
Gift sets for eco-conscious plant lovers
The key is long-term use. A recycled pot has the greatest value when it stays in circulation. Use it, clean it, replant it, move it, and use it again.
That repeat use is where good design and responsible materials meet.
Why recycled plastic still has a place in sustainable gardening
Some people hear the word plastic and assume the best choice is to avoid it completely. In some cases, that makes sense. But gardening is more complicated.
Plastic plant pots are lightweight, water-resistant, practical, and long-lasting. They protect roots, move easily, and work in many conditions. The problem is not always the material itself. The problem is making more virgin plastic, using products once, and throwing them away.
Recycled plastic plant pots offer a more responsible option when they are well made and kept in use.
They help by:
Reducing demand for new plastic material
Giving waste plastic a second life
Creating a use for difficult waste streams such as ghost nets
Encouraging longer product life
Supporting a circular economy model
This is especially relevant for ocean plastic. When recovered nets become useful products, the material gains value. That value can support collection, sorting, and recycling systems, while raising awareness of the damage caused by abandoned fishing gear.
Sustainable gardening is not about perfection. It is about better choices repeated over time. Choosing compost carefully, reducing peat use, collecting rainwater, growing pollinator-friendly plants, and buying durable recycled products can all form part of the same approach.
A plant pot made from recovered ghost nets is one small object, but it carries a bigger message: waste can be designed back into use.
Working with coastal charities helps protect wildlife
Coastal charities play a vital role in tackling marine plastic. Their work often includes beach cleans, community education, wildlife protection, waste collection, and partnerships with local groups.
By working with these charities, we support the people already active on the coast. They understand the local environment, the challenges of collecting nets, and the importance of removing dangerous waste before it harms more wildlife.
Ghost nets are especially difficult because they are not like a bottle or food wrapper that can be picked up quickly. Nets can be large, tangled, wet, and heavy. They may be caught around rocks or mixed with other debris. Safe recovery often takes planning and teamwork.
Once collected, the nets still need proper handling. Traceable reuse gives that effort a destination. It means the work does not end at removal. It continues into a product that people can use and share.
That connection matters. A pot in a home, garden centre, allotment, café, or office courtyard can start a simple conversation. Where did it come from? What is it made of? What are ghost nets? How can more coastal waste be recovered?
Awareness alone is not enough, but it helps more people understand the issue. When awareness is tied to action, product design, and charity partnerships, it becomes much more useful.
What to look for when choosing eco-friendly plant pots
Not all eco-friendly plant pots are equal. Some products use recycled content but give little detail about where the material comes from or how much is ocean plastics is actually used! Some manufacturers put a tiny amount of recyclate int o the pot to claim the story of a "Ocean Plastic plant pot'!. Others may be recyclable in theory, but difficult to recycle in practice. Some are made from natural materials but may not last long in wet outdoor conditions.
Before choosing plant pots, it helps to look beyond the headline claim.
A good eco plant pot should offer:
Clear material information
The product should explain what it is made from. In this case, the material comes from 100% recovered ghost nets, a form of ocean plastic waste.
Traceable sourcing
A strong recycled product should make its supply chain visible. Traceability gives confidence and helps customers understand the impact of their purchase. If they can't show it can you trust it?
Practical durability
If a pot breaks quickly, it creates more waste. Durability matters because reuse is one of the most effective ways to reduce impact. Our plant pots are made from a highly durable plastic made to last in sun and sea for generations.
Useful design
The pot should suit real planting needs. Size, colour, drainage, weight, and handling all affect whether people keep using it.
A genuine environmental link
The best eco products connect material reuse with wider action. Our range supports coastal clean-up work and helps reduce the harm caused by ghost nets.
This is where our new range stands apart. It is not simply a recycled pot with an eco label. It is part of a traceable story, from coastal recovery to finished product.
How to care for your ocean plastic plant pots
Keeping a pot in use for longer is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste.
After each planting season, empty out old compost and brush away loose soil. If the pot needs cleaning, rinse it with water and let it dry before storing or replanting. Avoid harsh treatment that could shorten its life. Store pots somewhere sheltered when they are not being used, especially during long periods of bad weather.
For healthy plants, match the pot size to the root system. Give young plants room to grow, but avoid placing very small plants in pots that are too large, as excess wet compost can cause problems. Refresh compost when needed and check drainage before planting.
These small habits help the pot last through many growing cycles. The longer it stays in use, the more value it delivers from the recovered material.
Frequently Asked Questions About Recycled Ocean Plastic Plant Pots
1. What are ocean plastic plant pots made from?
Ecotribo's ocean plastic plant pots are made from 100% recovered ghost fishing nets collected along the Devon and Cornish coastlines. Rather than allowing discarded fishing nets to remain marine pollution, the recovered material is recycled and transformed into durable, practical plant pots.
2. What are ghost nets and why are they harmful?
Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been lost, abandoned or discarded at sea. They can continue trapping marine wildlife, including seals, seabirds and fish, long after they have stopped being used. Recovering these nets helps remove a persistent source of marine pollution and creates an opportunity to reuse valuable materials.
3. Are Ecotribo's recycled plant pots made in the UK?
Yes. Ecotribo manufactures its recycled ocean plastic plant pots in the UK. The range uses recovered ghost nets from the Devon and Cornish coastlines, helping connect local coastal recovery with UK product manufacturing. We have also made our fisrt plant pots from Scottish nets and have recieved Welsh ones too which we are currently dealing with.
4. How can I trace where the recycled plastic comes from?
Ecotribo uses its Ecotraceability® approach to document the journey of recovered materials through the supply chain. Through its Sea Change in Action initiative, customers can discover more about where materials were recovered, the people and partners involved, and how the material becomes a finished product.
5. Are recycled ocean plastic plant pots suitable for indoor and outdoor use?
Ecotribo's ocean plastic plant pots made from hard wearing fishing nets and ropes so have a UV resistance built into the materials. Sadly they last for a lifetime at sea causing harm We remove them for our coasts and make them into plant pots that will last a lifetime. They are designed for both indoor and outdoor use. They can be used for herbs, houseplants, seedlings, patios, balconies and garden displays. They are available in two sizes and three colours.
6. Why choose recycled plastic plant pots instead of virgin plastic pots?
Choosing recycled plastic plant pots gives existing plastic waste another useful life and can reduce demand for virgin plastic. Using a recycled Ocean plastic helps us remove this waste from our coastlines and that helps protect our wild life. By manufacturing locally we also dont need to import plastic from abroad. We have all seen the horror stories of plastic pellets falling overboard and washing up on our beaches. We help stop that happening by using a recycled material and removing the waste from our favourite beaches. When products are designed to last and reused over many growing seasons, they can help reduce the need for disposable alternatives.
7. How do I care for recycled ocean plastic plant pots?
Empty out old compost, brush away loose soil and rinse with water when necessary. Allow the pots to dry before storing or replanting. Check drainage and choose a suitable pot size for your plants. With sensible care, the pots can be used repeatedly.
8. Does buying an Ecotribo plant pot help protect the ocean?
Ecotribo connects its products with coastal clean-up work, marine conservation partnerships and educational workshops. Every pot and product sold is direct action taking plastic waste out of our environment. Income from its work helps support beach cleans and recycled ocean plastic workshops for children and adults. Each purchase helps support this wider mission of recovering waste and protecting coastal environments.
Sea change you can grow
Our ghost net plant pots are a way to bring coastal recovery into everyday growing. They connect the Devon and Cornish coastlines with homes, gardens, patios, balconies, and windowsills across the UK. Every purchase literally helps us protect the wild spaces we love.
They also show why traceability matters. When customers can see how material was collected, who helped recover it, and how it became a finished product, the purchase becomes more transparent and more meaningful.
To learn more about the story behind the range and the people involved, visit our Sea Change in Action page.
The takeaway is simple. Better plant pots should grow more than plants. They should support cleaner coasts, protect wildlife, reduce waste, and keep valuable materials in use for longer.
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