Compost Discussion Thread (Merged Threads)

fender

I have a compost bin and recall hearing a while back that only unprinted cardboard can be composted.

Is this true, or could I say compost a cornflakes or washing powder box printed wih designs?

Many thanks.

Elliesmum

Not sure but the only cardboard I have put in my composter is egg boxes.

HTH's

EM x

comicmankev

It will all compost, but I suppose it just depends on how 'organic' you want to be. Obviously using these boxes would put all the inks etc. back into the earth, but in this day and age, I say it's better than the house bin!

Make sure you tear it up well, then it will compost quicker

comicmankev

It will all compost, but I suppose it just depends on how 'organic' you want to be. Obviously using these boxes would put all the inks etc. back into the earth, but in this day and age, I say it's better than the house bin!

Make sure you tear it up well, then it will compost quicker

Moggles_2

Organic gardeners may have some concerns about the heavy metals present in some coloured inks.

niccy

it helps speed the process if you tear them up

purplemoon

I'd have thought it was less the print that was the problem ans more the thin plastic film that covers the front of cornflake boxes. I compost small amounts of cardboard like egg boxes and small normal box boxes, shiney ones all get recycled.

tr3mor

It depends what you're going to be using the compost for and how much you value the organicness. I would use stuff with printed shredded paper in for flowers and plants but probably not for any fruit and veg.

If you put it all through a cross-cut shredder it should help with drainage in the compost.

GuidonTheBee

According to CAT, the inks are perfectly safe to be composted:

http://www.cat.org.uk/catpubs/article.tmpl?sku=art22

which is something of a relief as I compost 'em & use the compost on home grown produce. Having said that, the organic points above are still relevant.

Other (slightly) relevant links:

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/todo_now/faqs.php?id=63
http://www.ecodyfi.org.uk/waste/compostinguide.htm

LearningToSave.

have a question i urgently need answering so am hoping you could help?

we grew all our veggies etc this year in pots and a few growbags....now they are all dead/dying and we need to tidy up the garden.
i know the dead/rotten fruit and plants can go into my compost bin but can the old compost from the pots go in there too? or do i have to dispose of in a different way? if so how!!

any help apreciated as it really does need sorting.