Composting With Newspaper: A Safe and Eco-Friendly Option

Composting is one of the best ways to reduce waste at home and support a healthy yard or garden.

With the abundance of newspaper that most households have, it makes sense to use it for composting.

In this blog post, I will discuss the benefits of using newspaper for composting and how to start the process.

By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of how to turn your newspapers into nutrient-rich compost for your yard and garden.

Let’s dive right in.

Benefits of Composting with Newspaper

Using newspaper as a carbon source in your compost pile is an excellent way to decrease the amount of waste sent to landfills. Compared to other carbon sources like straw and leaves, newspaper is often more readily available and less expensive. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle and repurpose something that would otherwise be thrown away.

Composting with newspaper is also incredibly eco-friendly and provides several benefits to the environment and local community. By reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfills, we can lower greenhouse gas emissions and help slow the effects of climate change. Additionally, using newspaper in your compost pile can help improve soil structure, water retention, and soil fertility.

So, if you want to help make a positive impact on the environment, while improving your garden at the same time, then composting with newspaper is an excellent choice.

How to Start Composting with Newspaper

Composting with newspaper is a simple and eco-friendly way to reduce waste and improve soil quality in your garden. Here’s how to get started:

Materials needed

To start composting with newspaper, you’ll need a few materials including:

• Compost bin: Choose a compost bin that is the right size for your needs and fits the amount of newspaper you generate. Bins can be purchased or made at home.
• Newspaper: Use newspaper as the primary carbon source in your compost pile. Make sure the newspaper is non-glossy and doesn’t contain any toxic ink.
• Water: Water is needed to keep the compost pile moist and break down the newspaper.
• Greens: Greens are needed to provide nitrogen to balance the carbon in the newspaper. Grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds are all excellent sources of nitrogen.

Size of compost bin

When choosing a compost bin, consider the amount of newspaper you generate and the space you have available. For smaller households, a smaller compost bin may be sufficient. Larger households may need a larger bin or multiple bins.

Choosing the right newspaper

Choose non-glossy newspaper that doesn’t contain any toxic ink. Glossy paper and paper with colored ink may contain chemicals that can harm your compost pile and garden. Look for plain newsprint or black and white newspaper. If you’re unsure if your newspaper is safe to compost, contact your local newspaper or recycling center for more information.

Following these simple steps can help you get started with composting with newspaper and create a more sustainable future for you and the environment.

Preparing the Newspaper for Composting

Shredding or tearing the newspaper is an important step to prepare it for composting. The smaller the pieces, the faster they will break down. I prefer to tear the newspaper into small pieces rather than shredding it because it’s faster and doesn’t require any special equipment.

Once you have your torn newspaper, you need to mix it with greens, which are a nitrogen source. You can use grass clippings, vegetable scraps, or fresh leaves as greens. The ratio of carbon (newspaper) to nitrogen (greens) should be about 25 to 1. This will create the ideal environment for decomposition.

Keeping the compost pile moist is also important. If the pile becomes too dry, it will slow down the decomposition process. On the other hand, if it becomes too wet, it will start to smell bad and attract pests. The ideal moisture content is about 50 to 60 percent. You can use a hose to add water to the pile or cover it with a tarp if it’s too wet.

Mixing the newspaper with greens and keeping it moist will create a good environment for the microorganisms to start breaking down the material. This will result in nutrient-rich compost that you can use in your garden.

Maintaining Your Compost Pile

Turning your compost pile is a crucial part of the composting process. Regular turning helps to aerate the pile, decompose materials, and prevent any unwanted odors.

If you do not turn your compost pile, the materials will clump together and will not break down as quickly. Turning the pile will distribute the materials, which speeds up the decomposition process, and increase the temperature of the pile, which kills off any weed seeds or pathogens.

To turn your compost pile, use a pitchfork or a shovel to move the materials from the exterior of the pile to the center. You should also move the materials from the bottom of the pile to the top to ensure that all materials are evenly decomposed.

It is important to note that too much turning can also be detrimental to your compost pile. Turning your pile too often can cause it to dry out, which will slow down the decomposition process. So, turn your pile every two weeks.

Adding water or more newspaper to your compost pile is an important part of maintaining it. You should aim to keep your compost pile moist, but not waterlogged. Aim for a texture similar to a wrung-out sponge.

If you see steam rising from your compost pile, then it is too wet. To fix this, add more newspaper or other high-carbon materials to the pile to absorb the excess moisture.

Finally, it is important to avoid contaminants in your compost pile. Do not compost any meat, dairy, or oily foods, as these can attract pests and will create a bad odor. Additionally, avoid composting any weed seeds or diseased plants, as these can spread to any new plants that you add to your garden.

By following these tips, you can maintain a healthy compost pile that will provide you with rich, nutrient-dense soil for your garden.

What Not to Compost with Newspaper

When it comes to composting, it’s essential to make sure you’re not putting harmful materials into your pile. Some newspaper that you might want to avoid composting includes glossy or heavily printed paper. This type of paper can contain chemicals that could harm your plants or even contaminate the soil.

Make sure the newspaper you use for composting doesn’t have any toxic ink components. Check for soy-based inks or other plant-based ink options. If you’re not sure, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid using it in your compost pile.

By avoiding these newspaper items and ensuring all other elements in your compost are safe, you can guarantee that your pile will be successful and eco-friendly.

How to Use Composted Newspaper

Incorporating composted newspaper is a great way to enrich your garden soil. When your compost is ready, you can simply mix it in with your existing soil to increase its nutrient content and improve soil structure. You can also use composted newspaper as a mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weed growth.

Another way to use composted newspaper is as a top-dressing for plants and shrubs. This is especially helpful in the winter months when the ground is frozen and nutrients cannot be easily absorbed by plants. By spreading a layer of composted newspaper around the base of your plants, you can give them a boost of nutrients and improve their overall health.

It’s important to note that not all compost is created equal, and the quality of your compost will depend on the materials used and the time and care taken to create it. Using high-quality composted newspaper will result in better soil, healthier plants, and a more beautiful garden. So take the time to create a great compost pile, and reap the rewards of a vibrant and healthy garden.

Other Uses for Newspaper

Have you ever considered other uses for your old newspapers besides tossing them into the recycling bin? There are many creative and useful ways to repurpose newspaper around your home.

Need to wrap a gift? Instead of buying wrapping paper, use newspaper! It’s a unique and eco-friendly option that can add a touch of personality to your present.

If you’re in need of a simple and effective window cleaner, try using newspaper! The fibers in the paper help to remove dirt and grime without leaving streaks or lint behind.

Newspaper can also be used for a wide range of art projects for adults and children alike. Use it for paper mache, collages, or even as a canvas for painting.

So the next time you’re tempted to throw away your old newspapers, consider repurposing them for a different use. Not only will you be reducing waste, but you’ll also be saving money on household items!

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, composting with newspaper can be a safe and eco-friendly option for those who are looking to reduce waste and improve their soil quality.

It is important to make sure that your compost pile is balanced with the right amount of carbon and nitrogen, and that you are not adding any contaminants to the mix.

Composted newspaper can be used as a soil amendment, mulch, or top-dressing for plants and shrubs.

You can also use newspapers for other purposes around your home, such as wrapping gifts or cleaning windows.

Now, it’s your turn.

Which tip are you going to try first?

Let me know by sending me a message.

And if you found this post helpful, please share it on social media.

Together, we can make a positive impact on the environment and our communities.