How to dispose of garden hose

6-2-2019

With summer finally here, many of us are realizing that our garden hoses are cracked, broken or leaky and need to be replaced. Although you might think garden hoses are recyclable because they’re made out of plastic, they actually need to be put in the garbage.

Garden hoses are one of the most dangerous items to accidentally toss in your recycling. Why? They are long, unruly and can wrap around sorting machinery. This not only damages the machinery, but it also endangers the workers who have to try to untangle them. Toss them in the trash, or, if you’re feeling creative, check out these ideas in the Recycling Guide for repurposing them.

When replacing your garden hose, opt for polyurethane (PU) or natural rubber hoses over PVC hoses. PU hoses can also withstand cold weather and high pressure better than PVC hoses do. Also, they are more eco-friendly because they do not contain chemicals that can leach into the environment.

It happens more often than you’d like: your garden hose simply no longer does the job. Perhaps it leaks at its fittings, springs a tiny hole (or ten), or is too kink-prone to be of good service anymore. There are repair options available, but when your hose is hosed, it’s time to recycle—or repurpose.

Before you throw it out, did you know there are a number of ways you can reuse that hose? Some purposes are purely artistic and some are downright useful. Here are six quick ways to recycle your garden hose, with websites at the bottom that describe other unique ways. Tell us the coolest way you’ve recycled your garden hose.

Hose bench

Depending on the length of your old hose, consider making a garden bench. If you don’t already have a few old hoses—or prefer a rainbow bench similar to the one pictured above—plan to collect them from neighbors and family. You can make the bench frame however you please: logs, lumber, or an old bench that needs new “upholstery.”

Cut the hoses in pieces long enough to form the seat of your bench. Secure tightly with nails or screws and create your own imaginative pattern. The rubber hoses should provide ample cushion for your bottom while admiring your garden.

Turn it into a soaker hose

One of the easiest ways to recycle will also reduce your gardening expenses. Simply drill holes in your already leaky hose, attach to a spigot, and you have a new soaker hose for irrigation. You’ll need to crimp one end of the hose so water doesn’t escape. Alternatively, use a garden hose cap on the existing brass/plastic fitting (assuming you didn’t cut it off) to secure the open end.

Swingset chain protector

If you have children, you may also have a swingset. Your hose is likely thick enough to encase the chains holding the swings, which will prevent pinched and blistered tiny fingers.

Simply cut off the hose fittings on each end and slip over the chains. You will need to cut to length, leaving room for connectors. But don’t worry: the next three recycling methods all utilize those small, leftover hose pieces.

Support for trees

Instead of using suspenders, twine, wire, or plastic to directly secure limbs or keep growing trees upright, use pieces of hose around the portions touching the tree to avoid leaving friction marks. This provides a nice cushion that also adds substantial holding power.

Bucket handles

This is a great solution for metal pails with those thin, uncomfortable wire handles or no handles at all. Cut your garden hose to remove the end adapters. If refitting over an existing handle, simply unhook the handle and measure out a piece of hose accordingly. Let the wire handle be exposed on each end of the hose to connect back to the pail.

Making your own handle? Cut the hose to your desired length. Insert an S-hook halfway inside each end of the hose; this becomes the connector to the pail. Be sure the S-hook is tight and secure, lest you end up with contents all over the lawn.

Use pieces to extend spigots

Finally, if you have particularly small pieces leftover, consider using them to extend spigots inside or outside. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to fit a vessel underneath a spigot that doesn’t extend far enough.

Simply slide a desired length of hose over the spigot on your rain barrel, utility sink, or outside spigot to add additional room.

Check out these other hose recycling ideas and photos:

http://shareourgarden.blogspot.com/2012/05/recycled-garden-ideas.html
http://www.pinterest.com/themerrymouse/garden-hoses

Creative Commons Flicker photos courtesy of Sassy Gardener,  Steven Depolo, and Dan McKay. Morguefile photo courtesy of cohdra.