composting newspapers

[svenrufus]

I hear all the time that sticking some newspaper in the compost does it the world of good, but I don't want to do it as I am worried that the ink used will have some nasty stuff in it. Does it? Or is it OK? Either way, what is it made of?

On a related note, I have a bunch of old clothes, past it even for the clothes bank, and have wondered about sticking the cotton stuff in the compost. Is there any issue there with regard to the dyes used?

Cheers
Sven

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by svenrufus

I hear all the time that sticking some newspaper in the compost does it the world of good, but I don't want to do it as I am worried that the ink used will have some nasty stuff in it. Does it? Or is it OK? Either way, what is it made of?

On a related note, I have a bunch of old clothes, past it even for the clothes bank, and have wondered about sticking the cotton stuff in the compost. Is there any issue there with regard to the dyes used? Cheers Sven

The amount of newsprint you would have to add to a composting system to bring the ink levels to anything measurable would bring the composting process to a halt.

The reason that adding paper or cardboard to a compost system is sometimes recommended is that it can help keep a balance in favour of the aerobic flora in a heap/bin that would otherwise be too wet and or have too much unmixed 'green material'. There is no other benefit to the quality of the compost achieved by adding paper.

From a wider environmental perspective, recycling of newsprint is a better option than composting and most areas of the UK now have a roadside collection or local recycle banks. Cardboard is not so widely collected but the laminated cardboards - cereal packets etc - take a long time to breakdown and are not suitable for composting in most small scale systems. Unlaminated cardboard - toilet role inners etc - breaks down easily and can be added to most domestic heaps/bins.

For anyone who does want to add newsprint to their compost system - ensure that it torn into small strips and mixed well with other material.

Cotton will decay - but very, very slowly and is not suitable for most domestic composting situations. The toxity of the dyes is likely to have been tested by long exposure to human skin ! Most clothes banks (unless they say otherwise) will sort non reusable clothes and send them for recycling.

CM

[svenrufus]

Hmm. Thanks for the reply. I've still got some residual doubts though.

I know you're right to say that the amount of ink will be tiny, but depending on what is in the ink, it may only take tiny amounts of some stuff, eg lead, to cause a problem. I have no idea if there is anything like that in ink used in newsprint, and am reluctant to use it until I know for sure. I think it is the same issues with dyes used on cotton, but if as you say it takes a long time to break down, I guess I won't bother with that anyway.
Cheers
Sven

[Paul mabbott]

Newspaper is not a problem. There used to be concern about coloured inks used in magazines &c (contained cadmium, in particular) but even this, allegedly, no longer applies. I certainly put anything and everything onto the compost heap other than plastics.

Natural fabrics will eventually break down but it does take a long time, especially with cotton - I've had a pair of Levi's composting for eight years. I put old clothes in a separate heap and let the woodlice and slugs get at them before adding to the compost heap proper!

I tend to use cloth (carpet, old coats &c) to cover the compost heap over winter - keep it nice and warm for the animals and micro-organisms and starts the breakdown process!

[aeshna5]

I've regularly composted newspaper with no obvious ill-effects + adds some carbon to the mix. Many household gardening experts recommend it.

[sleepinabox]

I haven't tried newspaper as I put that in my doorstep recycling bag but I do compost some of my cat litter made from newspaper waste and also toilet roll & kitchen roll cardboard middles, eggboxes etc, just tearing them up a bit before they are dumped in with rest of my fruit & veg waste, lawn clippings and other plant material from the garden. It's a great way of reducing waste in the bins, producing usable compost and I wish more people would get into it as it takes very little space really. I got my black plastic compost bin cheap on a local Water Authority offer a few years ago and haven't looked back - my previous homemade-out-of-old-pallets bins composted themselves somewhat!
Rose

[Oscar2006]

Folks used to wrap chips in newspapers and a few years before my time wiped their derriere's with them, so what is the problem with composting it?

[Paul mabbott]

Don't waste your bog rolls if you're a gardener! They're excellent for germinating beans or other large seeds. Large-seeded plants produce huge amounts of root which gets terminally intertwined in a conventional seed tray. Instead place your rolls into a tray, half fill with compost, add your bean, fill up with compost. After germination you can set the whole thing in the vegetable plot ....

Originally Posted by sleepinabox

I..............and also toilet roll & kitchen roll cardboard middles, ..........., just tearing them up a bit before they are dumped in with rest of my fruit & veg waste, lawn clippings and other plant material from the garden. It's a great way of reducing waste in the bins, producing usable compost and I wish more people would get into it as it takes very little space really. I got my black plastic compost bin cheap on a local Water Authority offer a few years ago and haven't looked back - my previous homemade-out-of-old-pallets bins composted themselves somewhat!
Rose

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Oscar2006

Folks used to wrap chips in newspapers and a few years before my time wiped their derriere's with them, so what is the problem with composting it?

When I was in my student digs many years ago, I'm afraid, arguments with my house mates, over who's turn it was to buy the bog roll, often led to such drastic measures!

Regards, Chris

[egro]

I have a very effective compost heap without any bin.It is full of micro-organisms,thus decomposes quickly.I mix layers of weeds and green material with kitchen vegetable waste. This works very well.The secret of a good compost heap is to have a balance of materials.A reasonable ammount of soaked newspapers will be fine.Best wishes .Egro.