Best eco-friendly yard tools – 9 plastic-free tools to keep your garden non-toxic

These tested wooden tools are best for the planet – and your backyard

Best eco-friendly garden tools - a Kent and Stowe Capability trowel
(Image credit: Kent & Stowe)

Plastic pollution is a huge issue on a global scale, but it could be harming your backyard. Tiny pieces of plastic can chip off your tools and lower the fertility of your soil. Plastic tools are also prone to breaking more easily, meaning greater repeat purchasing of gardening kit and more plastic waste in the trash.

This means even the best pruners and best hedge shears can contribute to pollution that not only harms the planet but lowers yields in your yard.

As a product tester, I've tried lots of different tools, including dozens of plastic-free, traditional wooden and metal ones. These are the best eco-friendly yard tools – all tested first-hand.

What's the issue with plastic tools?

Wood handle rake cleaning up leaves

(Image credit: Getty Images / bluecinema)

Plastic tools have a couple of shortcomings. The most obvious issue is the long-term impact of plastic on the environment. Gardening expert Valeria Nyman says 'Plastic tools are like fast food for your garden - convenient but with hidden costs. While they don't directly harm the soil, their long-term presence in landfills does create environmental issues.'

On top of that, some studies, such as this from the Friei Universität in Berlin, show that microplastics chipped off from plastic tools can be detrimental to soil over time. Valeria adds that 'There's a growing body of evidence indicating that plastic pollution affects soil ecology. Microplastics in soil can reduce the ability to retain water and essential nutrients.'

This makes your soil less fertile, making it harder to grow your favorite plants, and if you grow food and vegetables, it may introduce microplastics to your produce.

It's a small impact, but if you want to avoid it entirely, you should use metal and wooden garden tools.

Headshot of gardening expert Valeria Nyman
Valeria Nyman

Valeria is the Chief Product Officer at Taim.io, an innovative platform that serves as a personal, adaptive gardening coach, offering weekly advice to users.

Best eco-friendly yard tools

FAQs

What are the drawbacks of wooden tools?

The big drawback of wooden tools is that bare wooden handles can rub on your hands can cause blisters. While wood is often studier than plastic, it's heavier, and if you leave your tools out in the rain by accident, the handle will start to rot.


Non-toxic appliances are becoming much more common amid growing concerns about microplastics. If you're worried about microplastics, we've tested all of the best non-toxic air fryers and non-toxic coffee makers to help you decide which is worth an investment.

Alex David
Head of eCommerce

As Head of eCommerce, Alex makes sure our readers find the right information to help them make the best purchase. After graduating from Cambridge University, Alex got his start in reviewing at the iconic Good Housekeeping Institute, testing a wide range of household products and appliances. He then moved to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, assessing gardening tools, machinery, and wildlife products. Helping people find true quality and genuine value is a real passion.