Compost mystery/disaster - help!

[Chippy Minton]

Agree with Bill, no glossy paper, it's more ink than paper. I only use the ones that are clearly just print on paper. Also watch out for plastic 'windows' on envelopes

[Penellype]

The reccomendations for the hotbin I have say don't compost glossy (waxed) paper because it takes a long time to rot down, so best to consign that to the recycling. I can testify that shredding the windows in envelopes and trying to compost them is not a good idea - I missed one a few years ago and I am still pulling shreds of plastic out of my soil.

[Noosner]

Right - I've got it now, thanks so much everyone for being so generous with your great tips and fantastic help I had a quick look in the Original Factory Shop today to see if they had any cheap shredders but no. I think I saw one in Wilko's last time I was in there though (they should have had it in the gardening section in retrospect!) so that's a good excuse to go back there. Thanks again lovely Grapes!