Composting

[beeseejay]

I have read and heard contradicting answers as to whether or not to compost shredded paper - old documents etc. What do the AB experts think? TIA

[vallaw]

Depends how much other stuff you have. I compost newspaper and kitchen paper quite happily but haven't tried with shredded documents. I suspect the quality of the paper would take much longer to break down and you would need a really hot compost bin. Curious to see what other replies you get.

[beeseejay]

Thanks for the answers. The main thing against it seems to be the ink although I can't imagine it doing much harm considering the quantity set against everything else which is in the bin.

[carlton23]

I also use cardboard and anything else that was originally grown in the soil, and stir it all up together every six weeks, but like `Trimeresurus` says, but NOT shiny magazine-style paper.

[jomifl]

The shiny paper is the first thing that the snails in my garden go for, they lick off the 'shiny' first then polish off the rest.(pun not intended)

[carlton23]

You`re inviting slugs and snails over for a meal then jomil?

[johnk]

As long as it's mixed with other stuff and soaked beforehand it will be OK but if you put a great lump of paper shredded or not it will take forever to rot down. Use lots of different layers
I use the compost bin for doments I would normally shred and it does work.