Thread: Can used wet n dry paper be composted?

I'm on holiday at the moment and have been doing some work in my garden. I have come across a pile of used wet n dry paper that some lazy person just dumped in a dark corner instead of putting them in the bin.

While I was cutting up some garden scraps for my compost I started to wonder if old wet n dry paper could be composted. Does anyone know if it has any non biodegradable material in it? Could there be any toxins that could leach out of old wet n dry paper?

Cutting up old scraps for the compost is so much more satisfying than just putting it in the bin.

Wet n Dry paper is specifically designed not to break down in the presence of water. So it will be around a long time if you leave it where it is.

The paper matrix is filled with various resins and other nasties that while not exactly deadly are not the sort of thing I would want to use as mulch or compost.

Add in the glues and abrasive oxides which complete the package (as well as the metal or paint residues from whatever was being sanded) and I would just as soon choose to have that hauled off for proper disposal.

Nope. Especially the grit will be around for a looooong time.

I compost a lot more than most people who compost, but I wouldn't put that in my pile. The abrasive grit would not be a concern, as it would end up being like sand, but the binders are unknowns that I would not want to introduce into my personal food chain.

Good for you for composting! If you'd like to take it to the logical maximum, read the Humanure Handbook!

Originally Posted by Utopian

If you'd like to take it to the logical maximum, read the Humanure Handbook!

I still need to do that.

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

I still need to do that.

I'll make it easy for you. If you click HERE, you can download each individual chapter for free. I think this should be required reading for the entire planet.