It won't hurt to ask.
I have a friend that worked at Home Depot, in the garden center. He told me they throw everything away, the don't discount old plants, they throw pots and all away
What a waste and an unfriendly policy. This policy may be for this store only though. So ask
I hear Lowe's has a different policy. More friendly.
H D is closer to me, so I do shop for some things, but hardly ever buy plants.
Happy growing