Paper shredder compost?

[andyh]

I have been enjoying the destructive nature of my new paper shredder when I had a thought. I have read that torn newspaper can be placed on the compost. Is it possible to use the paper shreddings on the compost if I limit the paper to non glossy material.

Thanks

Andy

[andyh]

[Palustris]

Yes, mix up well with other wetter material and watch it rot.

[ptennisnet]

I personally exclude till receipts too (or anything else printed on thermal paper) from my compost heap. 

11 years ago (yikes - it doesn't seem that long ago) I worked in a lab where we made up thermal fax paper samples.  This consisted of coating paper with a slurry made from finely ground colour former and bisphenol-A.  Bisphenol-A has since been demonstrated to disrupt hormones.  I'm not sure whether the concentrations involved are anything to worry about (especially as I used spoon the stuff out) or even if they still use it.  However, as my shredder contents are mainly till receipts, they go in the green bin rather than the compost heap destined for (my) food production.

[GardnerJ]

what a great idea!
i will try this too!
we have a shredder at work so i will have fun!
Jemma

[Lady Cosmos]

Of course paper shredder can go in the compost but shredded paper takes longer than crushed paper to compost because it does not have airpockets trapped in it.
Crushed paper is , in combination with the kitchen waste, gone in about a week.

But if you like to work with the shredder  :o  ::), composting take a bit longer.

[andyh]

This may sound a little silly but what exactly do you mean by crushed paper Lady Cosmos? Your comments are very useful and I would like to try this technique as well as shredding.

Andy

[Lady Cosmos]

If you use a shredder the paper strips are is flat and there is no air between the layers.
If you tirr a page and crumble it with your hands into a loose ball , you get a lot of air between the layers ( the same idea you use for paper for making a fire)
The paper does not stick together, is rotting faster.
But shredded paper rotts as well, don't worry. :o

[Lady of the Land]

I bought a shredder just after Christmas and have been clearing out files and documents we have been hoarding for years, shredding hundreds of pages. The shredded paper I have been putting both on the compost and putting in the soil where I have been digging with some manure. It will be interesting when I rotivate parts of the allotment in a few weeks whethher it will have broken down.

[growmore]

Shredded paper is good for moisture retention .
The guys I know who show runner beans use a layer  of shredded paper in the bottom of their trenches this is followed by a layer of good compost  then soil ..
Jim..

[Mrs Ava]

I used shredded paper as a mulch over a last minute planted row of spuds last year, and when I sug them, the paper was still there and very recognisable.  I do put shredded on the heap as mum shreds, but my own just gets screwed up and bunged on. 

[trevody]

If you are composting a lot of shredded paper, you may need to raise the nitrogen level in the heap by adding chicken manure and enough moisture to ensure the heap is just damp, this way you will get a much hotter and quicker decomposition. 8)

[Georgie]

Hello, first post and a bit nervous -  was just looking for an opening.  I've found shredded paper a real asset to my black plastic compost bin which tends to get on the wet side due to lots of kitchen waste.  I only use newspaper or white paper and I find it rots down really quickly.  And no more fruit flies. :)

G xx

[Roy Bham UK]

Hello Georgie, don't be shy, welcome and take a seat in our big shed, pull up a stool or a wheel barrow take a seat, have a mug of tea sit back and relax, we don't bite, we are mates who help each other. Hmmm! it's quite cosy in here, the more the merrier I say. ;)

Oh BTW thanks for the tip on shredded paper ;) ;D

[Moggle]

I've got a stash of paper and envelopes at work that I intend to shred and add to the compost heap at some point. Not at the moment, I have the opposite problem to Georgie (welcome Georgie!) in that my heap is mostly 'brown' stuff, and not enough green stuff. Will add the paper at some point, probably when the council next mow out the front of our flats (and i 'borrow' the mowings :))

[Kerry]

welcome Georgie, i scrunch up newspaper in my compost if it gets too wet, seems to keep the worms happier, they're not trying to escape out of the top now!

[Svea]

interesting. my heap is very wet right now...now where did hubby put that sunday newspaper? :D

[Dig For Victory]

I only clicked on this link because I thought that "paper shredder compost" might be a new exciting variation on "paper scissors stone" or "fire wood water".
How wrong I was.
Nevertheless, I am a great believer in shredded paper and get mine from a friend who runs a community recycling round in my area. he collects it ready-shredded from the local Social Services office.
DIG

[Georgie]

Hey, thanks for the warm welcome Roy, Moggle and Kerry.   ;D

I found this place via the BBC gardening boards and you are certainly living up to your reputation. 

Gosh this place takes some getting used to - took me ages to work out how to reply.   :-\

Now all I need to do is figure out how to add photos and I'll be flying.

G xx

[frannie]

hi georgie - welcome! i still cant do the clever stuff either, but i'll certainly be taking that big black bag of shredded paper home from the office tonight! ;)

[Phil]

Do people who use shredded paper as a mulch find that it acts as a slug barrier?