From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Utah

what value would shredded paper have, OM wise ?

I know worms will eat it ... but
has it been processed to much to have real value ...
or would it be fine to add.

1/9/2006 3:22:33 PM

Linwood, NC

shredded newspapers is what the worm farmer around here says the worms like, because of the ink.

1/9/2006 8:03:23 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

Try this link. It is a PDF file so it may take awhile to download.

http://www.wvu.edu/~exten/infores/pubs/crops/msw9.pdf

Tom

1/9/2006 8:31:13 PM

ENGLAND

This is something i thought of doing several years ago but what stopped me was when someone i knew, who worked in the print room at one of our local Newspapers, advised against using Newspapers due to the chemicals in the Newsprint ink. Also, there can be traces of bleach or bleaching chemicals in the paper if it is from a recycled sourse. I have not checked this out for about 9 or 10 years and i guess it may be time to check if the types of ink and paper used are of a more 'environmentally friendly' nature there days.

Regards
Mike

1/10/2006 7:49:42 AM

Utah

thanks for the replies ... but it would not be newspaper ... it would be regular paper ... documents finely shredded with a crosscut machine... like a fine confetti....

I have access to a fair amount of it ... kind of like at the Enron headquarters when the investigators first showed up.

1/10/2006 9:31:45 AM

[email protected]

Gordon,

Buy a package of bait worms. Moisten some fo this paper & replace 50% of their bedding with it. Put the whole mess into the refrigerator & see what they do with it. In a week the worms will have told you how they liked it.

1/10/2006 10:39:57 AM

San Jose [email protected]

you dont want paper from a photo copier from what i hear Amonia i think, you should also think about how much and how thick you put it in your garden, it will create an almost impenitrable "mat" if you lay it on thick

1/10/2006 7:06:49 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

Most ink in the newspapers today are made with soy. I would definately not use the glossy sale ads.

1/10/2006 8:31:48 PM

ENGLAND

Just to try and update what types of Ink the Newspaper industry is using over here these days i made a call to one of our local Newspapers and asked if the Ink they used still contains the chemicals it used to. I am awaiting a reply from them as i am no longer in contact with the person i used to know that worked for them. As Bantam says, do not use the glossy paper as used in most magazines. There is a Print Fixer used and although not Toxic it would not be good for any organisms living in the soil. More info as and when i get it.

1/11/2006 7:26:23 AM

Utah

!!! ... IT WOULD NOT BE NEWSPAPER ... !!!

document from you typical HP office printer or copier ...

1/11/2006 9:55:09 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Gordon I think what you are wanting to do would be fine. It breaks down really quickly. If you want compost fast 2 parts grass clipping to one part shredded paper. PH of the paper may be an issue...I know for scrapbooking they use acid free paper.

1/11/2006 11:02:24 AM

Syracuse, NY

"kind of like at the Enron headquarters when the investigators first showed up"
ha ha ha lol----i am wondering if i myself could try the shredded paper thing, as i work at a place that
creates documents and there is a great deal of
just what we are discussing....also, the coffee grounds
have gotten me thinking....okay, time for a Pumpkin Crusade!

1/11/2006 1:05:36 PM

ENGLAND

Gordon
Ok Ok, it is not Newspaper that you intend on using as a possible sourse of OM. I only gave the additional info on the Newspaper just incase anyone MAY have just been a little bit interested in maybe using Newspaper in their Pumpkin Patches. remind me next time to shut my mouth before i attempt to make a contribution to a thread.

1/11/2006 4:14:23 PM

Cologne / Germany

What I could read is:
-Clad your compost pile with newspaper from outside (insulation, will break down)-
-Wrap fresh organic waste into newspaper before giving it to the compost-
-Don´t use *too* much paper like for everything else on the compost, and mix well-
No toxic stuff here. 40 years ago it was containing lead but no more.

1/11/2006 4:50:42 PM

Utah

OK ... thanks for replies....

1/11/2006 5:38:02 PM