composting shiney paper

is it ok to use shiney paper, like magazines, in a compost bin, if so would i need to shred it first or is it ok to put it in screwed up? also what about coloured cardboard? ive got a fair bit or cardboard thats purple on one side. thanks

 

I know that you can compost the coloured wrappers (not the foil but the kinda see-through coloured bits) of Quality Streets - that, to me, is a good enough reason to buy a box and scoff the lot - after all, you need composting material :hehe:

 

In the olden days most chocolate bars came wrapped in paper, rather than the plastic/foil stuff they are in now. Perhaps if they went back to doing that they could boost sales.

 

This issue was raised before on the forum and if I remember correctly best advise was no to anything with shiny printing. It was something to do with the ink types used being not compatable to composting.
robert

 

Most magazines are accepted by local recycling places. However our roadside service doesn't take directories (at the moment) which is frustrating as we never use them and they have to go in the bin (although I am thinking of ripping them up and putting in the composter!).

 

think the shiney stuff will have to stay out then, thanks all, is there anything else thats best kept out the compost bin? been told not to use cooked food or meat because they can attract rats.

 

No meat for sure and no cooked food waste really.
I shread glossy letters and they rot down ok in my compost bin.
Mag's are put in the recycle bin...I had to climb into the thing this morning to press down the contents because we have a fortnightly collection and I recycle everything but the bin 'aint big enough!!!:dh:

 

Shiney or glossy paper will be fine put out to recycle as they are generally bleached in the process.

I'm ex-print trade and varnish comes in two types matt (water based) and glossy (Ultra violet, chemical based). The glossy stuff is highly poisoness or at least was, 6 or 7 years ago...this could have changed by now but until I know for sure then all varnished material is sent to be recycled, evrything else s composted...either way..there is no loss, and none goes to landfill.

If anyone knows anyone within the print trade maybe they can clear things up for us.

Steve...

 

One of the reasons that shiny paper doesn't compost well can be due to the coating used to make it shiny, i.e. the clay - this clay is difficult to break down, which of course it must do before the paper itself can begin to degrade. If the paper is shredded or better still torn, the fibres in the paper are exposed and thus begin to rot that much more quickly.

I believe Steve has a point about some pinting inks containing carcinogens, certainly the solvent based ones which, as I understand it, is why materials printed with these inks are 'industrially' re-cycled by bleaching, boiling and pulping etc. I asked a colleague of mine (the man in charge of our 4 colour off set printing) about the health hazards of 'modern' inks and he told me that an 'elf 'n safety' assessment merely told them to follow the instructions on the containers in which the inks are supplied - most of which relates to dermatological issues, adding - 'Using them in the proper way won't cause you harm, but I wouldn't recommend you eat it!' Which I guess gives you the answer.

As a BTW - Newpapers I'm told, (and I guess now some magazines) usually use soya based inks which are more environmentally friendly - not to mention a helluva lot cheaper.