Why You Should Keep Aluminum Pans To Reuse Them For Your Plants And Garden

Whether it's reusing glass jars as seed storage or repurposing egg cartons into seed starters, some gardeners like to use what they have, transforming packaging into something useful instead of tossing it in the garbage or recycling. One item you may have not considered as a helpful garden tool is a disposable aluminum pan used for baked goods such as pies and quiches. Yet an aluminum pan has several uses in your garden. 

Recycling disposable and single-use items is great, but many city recycling curbside programs don't take aluminum pans because they can't melt them for reuse at the same temperature as an aluminum can. Some scrap yards may accept aluminum pans, however, it takes some research on your part to find a suitable facility. Yet the largest source of aluminum in municipal solid waste is from cans and other packaging, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

After you've eaten the last bite of your favorite pie, wash the tin of crumbs; you can do your part to reduce aluminum in the landfill, putting it to use in several clever garden projects, including a catch pan for planters with holes, a way to ward off birds, and a bee bath.

One of the best ways to use empty aluminum pans is to protect your plants against birds. You may already repurpose CDs in your garden as a bird deterrent, using the reflective surface to scare off birds that make a buffet of your veggies and fruits. You can reuse baking essentials like pie pans in the same way. First, you can punch a hole in the top of the pan, then attach it to a string. Try hanging a series of them at staggered heights near your garden for the best effect. When the wind blows, the pie tins become a noisemaker, plus the reflective surface scares birds away.

Another great way to reuse an aluminum pan for plants is as a catch plate and drip tray for when you water your plants or a cluster of seed pots. Any water that seeps through the planter drainage will go into the pan. Just remember to empty the pan as needed so it doesn't overflow. 

Finally, if you want to help out our friends, the pollinators, you can make a spot for bees to enjoy water. These active insects need water for pollination, honey manufacturing, and drinking. To start your bee watering station, fill the pan with decorative stones, rocks, or marbles. Then add enough water so that it barely touches the surface of the decorations, this will provide a safe landing spot for the bees to drink the water safely.