Thanks for the tip about the windows - I hadn't thought of that. I'm always amazed that my compost always seems to contain at least one crisp or chocolate wrapper which I definitely didn't put in! I found out about the avocado stones from experience as well.
I have 3 dalek bins on the go. One being filled, a full one 'working' and one ready for use. A mix of everything is the secret. Fruit and veg peelings, shredded paper & cardboard, hair ( from hubbies haircuts), contents of hoover/carpet sweeper as well as the lawn cuttings/plant bits. I don't stir it up much as it's difficult as I'm not very tall. But if you ensure that there's layers of brown and green stuff, this shouldn't be a problem. Lots of advice on websites for 'New composters'.
I put folded News Paper in the bottom of my runner bean trench, it is still damp after the driest of summers, then chop it up during the winter dig. Shredded paper goes on my compost and as already said don't shred the envelope windows.
I put it all in and have never had a problem even shiny paper will compost down when left. Anything that's left goes back into the bin after emptying, mind you I have 3 bins one at the allotment, two in the garden and I'm building another one at the allotment. I get grass clippings and browns from several neighbours and customers. A bit of a luxury really, but it all rots down.
Lyn, after your comment above, I think I might put my tomato and potato waste in the compost bin......things I haven't planted or threw away because i thought they were dead seem to be doing than the plants I've nurtured, so it might be the way forward for me
I put some white shredded paper (A4 printer type not shiny stuff) in the compost. I am on a mission to get my new (second hand) compost bin set up this week and turn out the existing 'compost' (AKA sludgy mess) into it and also attempt to make better compost.
Paper and cardboard definitely improves compost and of course adds greatly to the volume, a good thing in itself. Newspaper is now printed with non toxic inks and is terrific shredded and layered on. Up to a third paper, which seems a lot, is considered ok for composting.
Paper and card is a tradeable commodity which varies in value according to type with good quality new white paper best, highly coloured stuff and cardboard less so. Recycling is a really dirty industry requiring lots of water, bleaching, and transporting, so as much composting as we can do is desire able, with landfill possibly a better option for some situations.
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Thanks for the tip about the windows - I hadn't thought of that. I'm always amazed that my compost always seems to contain at least one crisp or chocolate wrapper which I definitely didn't put in! I found out about the avocado stones from experience as well.
I don't put any potato or tomato waste in my compost, they will spring up all over your garden next year.
I have 3 dalek bins on the go. One being filled, a full one 'working' and one ready for use. A mix of everything is the secret. Fruit and veg peelings, shredded paper & cardboard, hair ( from hubbies haircuts), contents of hoover/carpet sweeper as well as the lawn cuttings/plant bits. I don't stir it up much as it's difficult as I'm not very tall. But if you ensure that there's layers of brown and green stuff, this shouldn't be a problem. Lots of advice on websites for 'New composters'.
Only a little bit of paper, but if you have nice clean cardboard that is best
I put folded News Paper in the bottom of my runner bean trench, it is still damp after the driest of summers, then chop it up during the winter dig. Shredded paper goes on my compost and as already said don't shred the envelope windows.
I put it all in and have never had a problem even shiny paper will compost down when left. Anything that's left goes back into the bin after emptying, mind you I have 3 bins one at the allotment, two in the garden and I'm building another one at the allotment. I get grass clippings and browns from several neighbours and customers. A bit of a luxury really, but it all rots down.
Lyn, after your comment above, I think I might put my tomato and potato waste in the compost bin......things I haven't planted or threw away because i thought they were dead seem to be doing than the plants I've nurtured, so it might be the way forward for me
I put some white shredded paper (A4 printer type not shiny stuff) in the compost. I am on a mission to get my new (second hand) compost bin set up this week and turn out the existing 'compost' (AKA sludgy mess) into it and also attempt to make better compost.
Seems to have worked.
Paper and cardboard definitely improves compost and of course adds greatly to the volume, a good thing in itself. Newspaper is now printed with non toxic inks and is terrific shredded and layered on. Up to a third paper, which seems a lot, is considered ok for composting.
Paper and card is a tradeable commodity which varies in value according to type with good quality new white paper best, highly coloured stuff and cardboard less so. Recycling is a really dirty industry requiring lots of water, bleaching, and transporting, so as much composting as we can do is desire able, with landfill possibly a better option for some situations.