compost - shredded paper

[veg4681]

Is it a good idea to put shredded paper in the compost? The problem with shredding personal financial documents (those that you can't just tear off the small address bit) is that they bulk up a lot = they take up far too much space inside the paper bank. I don't feel I'm doing my bit enough. Besides my compost isn't filling up fast enough even after putting in 2 bags of chicken **** and lots of grass cuttings.

[lainey lou]

I put shredded paper in my compost

[kernowyon]

same here, averaging a carrier bag full every two weeks or so, no need to add straw etc, seems to rot down quite quickly as well.

[veg4681]

Thanks for the replies. I'll go do some shredding and tip them into the compost then.

[HeyWayne]

My shredder "confetti's" the paper so it spreads out nice and evenly.

[veg4681]

My shredder "confetti's" the paper so it spreads out nice and evenly.

What confetti, now that's handy for bin security and compost. Good idea, I'll try cutting into little pieces after shredding for the compost.

[rustylady]

What confetti, now that's handy for bin security and compost. Good idea, I'll try cutting into little pieces after shredding for the compost.

Presume Wayne has one of those fancy cross cut shredders. I've got a traditional strip cut one, and that's great. I use the strips for guinea pig bedding, and after they've used it (and pooed and weed on it, it goes onto the compost heap. Rots down a treat. You can also use shredded paper to put in the bottom of bean trenches and holes dug for planting squashes. It rots down gradually, and in the meantime absorbs water and acts as a reservoir for the plants.

[Bren In Pots]

I use a handful of shredding to line my kitchen bucket, it seems to stop the tea leaves from sticking in the bottom.

[seasprout]

I shread all my personnal stuff after use then put it into the compost bin, make sure you dampen it down or use a lid. It can blow quite far in a breeze.

[HeyWayne]

Presume Wayne has one of those fancy cross cut shredders. I've got a traditional strip cut one, and that's great. I use the strips for guinea pig bedding, and after they've used it (and pooed and weed on it, it goes onto the compost heap. Rots down a treat. You can also use shredded paper to put in the bottom of bean trenches and holes dug for planting squashes. It rots down gradually, and in the meantime absorbs water and acts as a reservoir for the plants.

Lol, not exatly what I'd call "fancy" - you can pick them up for next to nothing: http://www.shreddingmachines.co.uk/s...0DC%20Shredder

I think I bought mine from PC World or somewhere similar.

[rustylady]

Sorry Wayne, I wasn't being funny. It's just that I got mine ages ago and it's still working so I'm not going to replace it. Also, as I said it works for me as the shredding goes via the guinea pigs to the compost. Little squares or confetti wouldn't work for me. However, I do agree that cross cut shredders are definitely more secure for shredding personal paperwork if you don't have guinea pigs.

[kernowyon]

However, I do agree that cross cut shredders are definitely more secure for shredding personal paperwork if you don't have guinea pigs.

perhaps you could train the guinea pigs to cross cut the strips?

[bazzaboy]

perhaps you could train the guinea pigs to cross cut the strips?

lol.... and does anyone know how to train squirrels to pick cobnuts coz they're so much better at it than me.... This year I'm left with the nuts the squirrels decided to throw away

bb