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Shredded paper documents in a compost bin or not?

Discussion in 'How To ..........' started by barrym, Nov 26, 2013.

  1. barrym

    barrym Apprentice Gardener

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    I cannot find this already answered anywhere, but my apologies if it is in a forum somewhere.

    I would like to know whether it is good to put shredded documents etc into a compost bin or not? Some lists of compostable things from recycling centres say you can, others say you shouldn't because the ink on the papers can spoil the composting process.
    What is the definitive answer to this one please?
    Thank you.
    Barry
     
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I've been putting it in mine for years. What sort of ink are you worried about? If it's ink jet from a printer then in small quantities I can't see a problem. I think glossy paper (as in magazines) should be avoided.
     
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    • Jiffy

      Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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      Most of my paper/card and news papers go in, i put the card and news papers through a shedder first then into the compost bin in layers, if i can't put it in layers with green stuff i put it in then mix it up so the worms get going on it, but not all newspapers are composted as i make paper blocks for the fire
       
    • Phil A

      Phil A Guest

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      The Centre for Alternative Technology did a study using layers of crumpled cardboard in compost, they tested for ink contamination afterwards & found no trace.
       
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      • Jungle Jane

        Jungle Jane Middle Class Twit Of The Year 2005

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        The only cardboard I've found that doesn't compost is the stuff that is covered in white laminate. The cardboard itself breaks down but your left with this white film afterwards.

        All sorts of paper goes in my compost bin. Even Christmas wrapping paper went in last year. I see it as an extra bonus at Christmas.
         
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        • Loofah

          Loofah Admin Staff Member

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          All of mine goes in. I take special gratification from those docs from HMRC that the worms will do to them what they've been doing to everyone else:)

          As mentioned, nothing glossy, all else is in the bin.
           
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          • Kristen

            Kristen Under gardener

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            I'm a lazy composter. Things like cornflake boxes I just roughly tear up, into quite large pieces, and chuck them in the compost bin in the kitchen ... that gets tipped onto the compost heap now-and-then.

            Paper that we shred is used to light the wood boiler ... but any excess would go on the compost heap.
             
          • shiney

            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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            What!!!!! :hate-shocked: Don't you unwrap the presents very carefully and then iron the paper ready for next year? :nonofinger:

            @Scrungee Tell her off :lunapic 130165696578242 5:
             
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            • Scrungee

              Scrungee Well known for it

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              Yes you must save everything salvageable, trimming up edges and ironing it flat again, even if it was only 1p/roll in the sales.

              Our local authority states Xmas wrapping paper isn't suitable for recycling, so we use pieces unsuitable for re-use to either light fires or make Xmas Logs with for the following year as we have two of these, but stack paper until summer as they don't dry out at this time of year.

              [​IMG]
               
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              • Jiffy

                Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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                Scrungee, you bought a paper log maker, i made mine out for odd bits of metal :dbgrtmb: that i had lieing around
                 
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                • Scrungee

                  Scrungee Well known for it

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                  I was thinking of making one and starting to gather useful bits of metal (as one does), but was given one and about a year later bought another one for about £1 from a charity shop. Never had much (any?)success using shreddings in them, preferring to well soak long torn strips of mainly newspapers and get them all tangled/intertwined before placing in the machine for compressing so they held together well after drying.
                   
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                  • Kristen

                    Kristen Under gardener

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                    My Aunt used to do that ... annoyed my Mother intently to get presents next year in last year's wrapping paper, she always referred to them as "mean". So watch out!
                     
                  • Jiffy

                    Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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                    I will try this, i just put each page of the news paper into a dust bin of water till i get enough to make about a few logs
                     
                  • shiney

                    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                    No one has to worry about me doing that! I don't give presents. Bah Humbug!!! :lunapic 130165696578242 5:
                     
                  • Jiffy

                    Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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                    Me to
                     
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