Waste paper in compost

[RickinDarwen]

Hi,
We accumulate a fair amount of waste paper at work.
Can waste paper go into compost, I am sure I read it was OK but I was slightly concerned about bleach, inks etc.
If so should it be restricted to a certain percentage of the total?

Any input appreciated.

[zazen999]

yes it can, if you mix it half and half with greens it is usually the right sort of mix.

[butter fingers]

i use shredded white paper from work (we use a small forrest each week,which is a terrible waste of resources)about 50/50. this helps to hold moisture.but you might have to top up the compost as it settles after a while.

[ecoprincess]

I've heard you shouldn't use coloured ink, only black ink due to some toxins thats in coloured ink. Have a look on http://www.compostthis.co.uk

[Bren In Pots]

I shred our junk mail then use it to line the bottom of the kitchen caddy, I don't do the shiny papers though.

[burnie]

It's not organic,I read, so I don't do it.

[RickinDarwen]

Thanks folk!

PS: I also read elsewhere some bloke reckoning he pees in his compost, anyone else confess to that?

[Welsh Wizard]

Anything that once lived can go to compost: paper is great for the heap. I dont think the inks are likely to poison soil any more than the heavy metal laced rainwater that has been falling on the land since the start of the industrial revolution. Soil in the UK is already contaminate by copper, zinc, lead and other nasties from industrial activity that have been aerosolized and then deposited via rainwater onto your topsoil.

So in short I wouldnt worry about the inks.

As for peeing on your compost: it is a great idea. Loads of lovely nitrogen (urea) to help leafy growth. It should be acrime to flush sh*it and piss down the sewer: we urgently need to start composting it to humanure to help recover Britain's worn-out soil.

My favourite use of urine is to dilute it down 10:1 and use to feed the plants. Why pay for unsustainable, polluting artificial fertilizers when I make my own for free?

[Two_Sheds]

PS: I also read elsewhere some bloke reckoning he pees in his compost, anyone else confess to that?

of course.
this is a useful book about using urine in the garden

[Incy]

of course.
this is a useful book about using urine in the garden

Ooh that looks like a good book! reckon my OH would love that

[burnie]

you won't mind if I'm busy and can't make it when you start your bar-b-q's with "fresh salad"

[Roger_Hanuk]

When my kids were young we had an open front compost heap and instead of trailing mud through the house they use to pee on the heap. Killed two birds with one stone. Marvellous compost

[RickinDarwen]

Interesting stuff, though I'm having trouble convincing the other half!

[ohbeary]

Oh yeah do both, shred your junk mail and documents, pee on em and bingo double security, who is going to sort out the adverts for stairlifts and slippers from your old statements especialy is they are a bit whiffy!!!, unless of course you are a multimulti squillionaire.......ha ha ha ha ....

[RickinDarwen]

I have a compost bin.

Do people recommend standing on a stool or going for the up and over approach?