Are clay pots biodegradable? (3 disposal options)

The article will discuss the biodegradability of clay pots while also explaining

Are clay pots made from natural materials?
How to use them sustainably?
How to discard them sustainably?

Are clay pots biodegradable?

Clay pots are biodegradable because they are made from natural and organic materials. Also, clay pots can also be put in composting piles because there are organic materials present in clay pots. However, you need to make sure that clay pots do not contain any synthetic chemicals.

Also, there are certain sustainable ways to make sure that clay pots are used in sustainable ways and this includes making sure that there is enough moisture and that clay pots are managed carefully.

The disposal of clay pots can be done through composting, reusing and recycling. However, composting remains to be the most eco-friendly option on board.

Is clay pot sourced sustainably?

As it turns out, clay pots are made from the following materials

Clay
Water
Metal oxides
Organic materials

It is also proposed that clay pots may be made from a variety of materials such as earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. However, the predominant materials remain mentioned.

Based on the list mentioned above, it can be assumed that clay pots are made from natural materials and therefore, one will not be reserved in calling clay pots naturally derived.

If clay pots are made from materials mentioned in the previous section (namely clay, water, and organic material), then clay pots can be said to be sourced from sustainable sources because mud or clay are abundantly available in nature.

The case of mud or clay is very different from that of non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels. For example, some pots are made from plastics. Plastics are derived from fossil products and this means that there is a consumption of non-renewable resources.

In contrast, clay pots are made from clay and clay is abundant in nature. You can make as many clay pots as you like and this will not affect mother nature in adverse ways.

What are the sustainable ways to keep clay pots?

One of the very efficient and sustainable ways to use something is to use it wisely and sustainably so that its life is increased and there is a decreased strain caused on the resources.

Therefore, let us also cover some steps that you can keep in mind in order to make sure that clay pots are kept and used in a sustainable manner.

Keep the clay pots away from reckless use such as in the reach of children or pets
You are required to keep the clay pots in water for at least a day before using clay pots
You need to be careful with how you deal with the moisture of clay pots. On dry days, it is essential to pour water on clay pots so that the pots may not dry away
The cleaning or maintenance of clay pots must be done with a soft brush or cloth to make sure that there is no damage done to clay pots

What is the best way to discard clay pots?

If you think that you have sufficiently used clay pots and that you need to discard it, then you will want to consider the following options before discarding the clay pots because regular discarding will mean that there is a misuse of resources at play.

When it comes to the discarding of clay pots, you may consider the following disposal options

Composting
Recycling
Reusing

Composting

It has been established in the previous sections that clay pots are made from organic materials. This means that clay pots can be put in the compost pile.

Before we advance, we need to know what composting is. Composting is a process in which organic waste is converted into compost.

Composting is the process of converting organic waste into compost. Compost has many advantages.

It can be used as a natural fertiliser. This can lead to advantages such as better production, more yield, and increased water retention profiles.

It can be developed and deliberated that the case of composting and biodegradation are very similar. The rule of thumb here is that a material which is biodegradable can also be added to the compost pile. However, this is not the case in all cases.

The what and why have been discussed. Let us, therefore, rummage on the how question. Below are some steps that you need yourself to be mindful of.

Select a suitable place for composting
The place should be accessible as well
Shred the compostable material into small pieces to improve the efficiency and yield of the composting process
Make alternate layers of green and brown material. There should be aerators at the start of the pile.
Be sure to continuously mix up the pile so that there is proper aeration.
Also be sure to provide the right external conditions such as pressure, sunlight, and aeration
Mix up the pile every week
The compost should be ready in 5-8 months

Recycling

The used clay pots can also be put up for recycling processes. The used or broken pots can be melted at high temperatures (usually in a kiln) and the materials extracted after these processes can be used to make new pots or other materials.

Therefore, you need to make sure that if you can not compost clay pots, you should recycle them to ensure that there is little stress given on the resources.

However, you need to be vary that the recycling process will lead to a consumption of resources and this can gel badly with the environment. Therefore, you need to give composting a first priority.

The recycling of clay pots can be done by either transporting the used clay pots in the recycling centres or you may also do a drop off in nearby kilns if that option is available for you.

Reusing

Another step that you can take which is also very much analogous to recycling is the efficient reusing of clay pots. Yes, you can reuse clay pots for a number of basic and creative ways and the edge here is that there would not be any consumption of resources, which was the case for recycling.

Below are some ways in which you can reuse clay pots in efficient and eco-friendly manners

If clay pots are in good condition, you can give them to your family members or so. You can also donate them.
Clay pots can also be used to improve the aesthetic sense of your living room or garden.
Clay pots can also be used as planters and this will also increase the aesthetic sense of your garden or gallery.

Conclusion

It is concluded that clay pots are biodegradable because they are made from natural and organic materials. Also, clay pots can also be put in composting piles because there are organic materials present in clay pots. However, you need to make sure that clay pots do not contain any synthetic chemicals.