Composting phone directories?

[selfraising]

Sorry, another daft question and don't know if I've put this in the right section but here goes! I cannot put phone directories, yellow pages etc in my paper recycling box. Is it okay to put these in the compost bin?

[zazen999]

Some say, put them in a bucket, and pee on them first. Then, once they are all lovely and wet....chuck them on the compost bin.

[selfraising]

Thanks Zazen, that's an interesting one! I feel like peeing on them anyway they take up so much room! Think whoever issues them should collect the old ones back when they issue the new ones and recycle them. Should I take off the shiny covers first?

[jacob marley]

I would have thought that if you reduced the thickness of the directory it would be a great help....jacob

[zazen999]

Probably, yes!!!

Not done it myself, all ours get used in the winter for the woodburner.

[MaureenHall]

I've been using mine to make the small square (cube) paper pots for seedlings, but I do like the idea of wetting them with wee and composting them

[selfraising]

That's a good idea Maureen! Do you use another pot as a mold?

[tamsin]

I give mine to my pet rabbit. He shreds them then I sweep up the mess & compost

[Snadger]

Some say, put them in a bucket, and pee on them first. Then, once they are all lovely and wet....chuck them on the compost bin.

If you have a grievance with the yellow pages people you don't need to pee on them to make your point!

Just let your fingers do the walking and PHONE THEM!

[Snadger]

Probably, yes!!!

Not done it myself, all ours get used in the winter for the woodburner.

Agree on this one! They do burn exceedingly well!

[lynda66]

i chucked a load of paper in last year and the other week the compost looked good at the bottom so i dug it out to use it, and in the middle there were soggy layers of paper and yes i'd weed on em .... i would suggest the best way is to shred or rip them as much as you can and then mix them up that way they will get composted rather than staying in soggy lumps

and it gives you chance to see if you can rip a phone book in half

[selfraising]

Hy Lynda, thanks for that! Although I've been lugging compost bags back and forth for the last two days not sure I'm up to THE PHONE BOOK Perhaps I could work my way up to it, say a couple of pages at a time to start with and by the time I've finished the next phone book will be out!!

[Snadger]

I used to deliver yellow pages. The number of people who used to ask " Do you take the old one away?"

Not bloody likely says I!

[selfraising]

Snadger, Just think what big arm muscles you'd have tee hee!