Tap Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 If you have a predominately organic compost pile, would you add junk mail/paper? I am not striving to have an organic pile, but I do appreciate the fact that it is not full of a bunch of chemicals. I have a pile of shredded paper that I was going to put out for recycling tomorrow. Then I wondered if I should just compost it. Our compost bin consists of our own homegrown veggies, yard debris etc. I worry about the bleach in the papers and the dye/inks affecting the quality of the pile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 (edited) I wouldn't because I'd be concerned about the BPA in paper products if you are striving for a low chemical, organic compost. http://www.rodale.com/bpa-paper eta: this was linked to from the You Bet Your Garden website (NPR show on organic gardening): http://www.gardensalive.com/article.asp?ai=1070 Edited August 8, 2012 by Momof3littles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 I would add newspaper but not magazines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubiac Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 I vote to NOT compost it, but not because it's not "organic." Shredded paper is a very strong "brown" and very dry, and it takes FOREVA to compost down. Unless it's been peed on by a household pet, in which case it should have a nice carbon-nitrogen ratio. :) Best site ever for compost Q's: GardenWeb soil forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 No. I do not compost paper. It takes forever, I would not want the chemicals from the ink, and I consider recycling to make paper again a better use for old paper than making dirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 (edited) I add newspaper and cardboard (not the shiny kind). We have so many grass clippings that I need to add 'brown' materials to stop them from going slimy. Because of our volume of 'green' materials, the paper and cardboard composts down easily. Laura Edited August 8, 2012 by Laura Corin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lailasmum Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 From the organic point of view I probably wouldn't compost the paper but shredded paper does compost easily. We use shredded office paper it for chicken bedding sometimes and it disappears fast in the compost heap. We also put in things like egg boxes and newspapers and small amounts of card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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