How Do I Compost Paper Products?

“I’ve been collecting old newspapers, paper towels, and some shredded office paper, and I’m wondering if I can compost them effectively in my backyard. I’d love to make good use of these paper products in my compost pile, particularly since I’m trying to reduce my household waste. However, I’m worried about any complications or potential drawbacks. How can I compost these paper products correctly, and are there specific types of paper that I need to avoid?” Thanks! Linda, Brisbane, Australia.

How Do I Compost Paper Products?

Linda, it’s great that you’re looking to compost your paper products instead of discarding them. Adding paper to your compost can significantly help balance the carbon and nitrogen in your compost pile, also known as the “brown” and “green” materials. Paper products are primarily “brown” materials, which are high in carbon, and they play a crucial role in creating well-balanced, nutrient-rich compost.

Why Composting Paper Products is Beneficial

First, let’s talk about why it’s beneficial to compost paper products. Composting is a sustainable way to handle household waste, and paper is one of the most common items we use daily. When paper ends up in landfills, it produces methane—a potent greenhouse gas—during decomposition. But in a well-maintained compost pile, your paper can break down into humus, a nutrient-rich material that improves soil quality.

Composting paper also reduces the need to purchase carbon-rich materials if you’re already composting other organic waste. Practically, having enough “brown” material like paper will help prevent your compost from becoming too wet and smelly, thus improving its overall health and effectiveness.

Types of Paper Products You Can Compost

Not all paper is created equal, especially when it comes to composting. Understanding what types of paper can go into your compost pile is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of the most common paper products and whether they’re compostable.

• Newspaper: Yes! Newspaper is great for composting, but it’s best to avoid glossy inserts and colored inks as they may contain chemicals.
• Cardboard: Another excellent brown material. Just be sure to remove tape, staples, and stickers before composting it.
• Office Paper: As long as it’s shredded and isn’t glossy, office paper can be a valuable addition to your compost pile. This applies to things like printer paper, envelopes, and paper from notebooks.
• Paper Towels and Napkins: These are also compostable unless they contain oil, grease, or harsh chemicals. Those smeared with food chemicals, especially if it’s from non-organic sources, should be kept out of your compost.
• Parchment Paper: Some types of parchment paper have a silicone coating, which isn’t compostable. However, uncoated parchment that’s merely stained with food can be composted.
• Egg Cartons: Made from unbleached cardboard, these are generally fine to compost. They’re also great for helping aerate the compost pile.

Paper Products to Avoid in the Compost Pile

While many paper products are compostable, some are better kept out of the compost pile due to their materials, coatings, or chemical makeup. Here’s what to avoid:

• Glossy Magazines: These often contain glossy coatings and colored inks with potentially harmful chemicals, which can be toxic to your compost.
• Receipts: Most receipts are coated in a chemical called BPA (Bisphenol A), which doesn’t break down easily and can be harmful in the garden.
• Wax-Coated Paper: Wax coating doesn’t break down well and can slow down the composting process. It’s best to trash this type of paper or find an alternative recycling option.
• Dyed or Colored Paper: Vibrant-colored papers often have dyes that may not be suitable for organic gardening, so these are better left out.
• Pizza Boxes: Partially. If a pizza box is thoroughly grease-soaked, it should be discarded rather than composted. Clean or lightly stained sections, however, can still be composted.

How to Prep Your Paper for Composting

Linda, you’ve got your paper collection ready, but let’s talk about how to prep it for the compost pile. The more effort you put into preparing your paper, the faster it will break down.

Shredding or Tearing Paper

The first step to speeding up paper decomposition is to shred or tear it into small pieces. This increases the surface area and allows microorganisms to access and break down the paper more efficiently. The smaller the pieces, the better they’ll mix with other compost materials, creating a more uniform pile.

Balancing Carbon and Nitrogen

Balancing your compost pile’s carbon (browns) and nitrogen (greens) is key to quick and effective decomposition. Paper products are rich in carbon, so you’ll need to balance them with nitrogen-rich materials like fruit scraps, vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and grass clippings.

A good rule of thumb to aim for is a ratio of about 3 parts brown material (like paper) to 1 part green material (like kitchen scraps). This ratio creates ideal conditions for composting microbes to thrive. If you’re adding a large amount of paper at once, be sure to layer it in with green materials.

Layering Paper Products in Your Compost

Layering is important when adding paper to a compost pile, particularly if you’re composting paper in large quantities. Here’s how to layer paper correctly in your compost setup:

• Lay Down a Carbon Layer: Start the layer with shredded or torn paper. This helps aerate the compost and keeps it from becoming too dense. Avoid piling too much in one spot to ensure it doesn’t mat and compact, which could cause the compost to slow down.
• Add a Nitrogen Layer: Follow your ‘brown’ paper layer with a layer of ‘green’ nitrogen-rich material. This can include kitchen waste, grass clippings, or even green leaves.
• Moisten: It’s a good idea to lightly moisten the paper after adding it to your compost. This helps kickstart the decomposition process. However, be careful not to add too much water—compost works best when it’s damp, not soggy.
• Process in Multiple Layers: Continue to create alternating layers of ‘brown’ paper and ‘green’ organic materials until your compost pile is complete. This encourages even decomposition throughout your compost.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you experience any issues while composting paper, you’re not alone. Here are some common challenges and how to deal with them:

Too Much Paper Making Compost Pile Dry

If you notice that your compost pile is drying out, you might be using too much paper. Paper absorbs moisture, so the first step is to monitor your water levels. Turn the pile and add a bit of water until the compost has the consistency of a wrung-out sponge. Balancing out the paper with more green materials and moist components like vegetable peels and coffee grounds will help restore the moisture levels.

Compacted Paper Leads to Slow Decomposition

If the paper in your compost becomes matted or compacted, it will slow down decomposition and prevent proper airflow—which is essential for the microorganisms that break down the organic matter. To avoid this issue, make sure you’re tearing or shredding the paper into small pieces and mixing it well with other materials. Turning your compost pile regularly can also help prevent compaction and aerate the pile.

Unpleasant Odor

If an unpleasant odor develops, it usually indicates that there isn’t enough carbon material in the pile. Remember, your paper products are contributing to the carbon levels (“browns”), so if you’ve already added enough paper but still encounter this problem, try aiming for better balance. You can add more shredded paper to help reduce any excess nitrogen (“greens”) that might be causing bad smells.

A Table of Common Composting Paper Products

Here’s a quick reference table for common household paper products and their compostability:

Alternative Uses for Non-Compostable Paper

If you find that some of your paper isn’t suitable for composting, don’t worry. There are still several ways to repurpose these items:

• Recycling: Non-compostable paper products like glossy magazines and receipts can usually be recycled through your local curbside recycling program.
• Reuse: Consider reusing non-compostable paper products in art projects, wrapping paper, or creating seed starting pots from small cardboard tubes.

Final Thoughts…

Linda, I’m delighted you’re taking steps toward composting your paper products. It’s a rewarding and environmentally-friendly practice that will benefit your backyard farm and reduce your household waste. Just remember the importance of shredding, the balance of carbon and nitrogen, and, perhaps most crucially, avoiding the types of paper that can hinder your compost’s progress. With a bit of attention and regular effort, you’ll be on your way to creating high-quality compost!