Composting Paper / Wood Based Items

14 February 2018  |  HOTBIN Composting

Most things from a domestic garden can be composted with a little care and time. You can speed up the process by shredding or chopping thick, woody stems, as this helps the bacteria to reach the soft digestible cellulose behind the protective bark. The length of time depends on the size of the pieces and whether the wood pulp has be de-lignified in the pulping process.

Please do not be tempted to pre-soak any cardboard prior to adding into the HOTBIN.
 

 

Will it Decay

Cold
Compost

HOTBIN Compost

HOTBIN Rate of Decay 

Comments

Cardboard (cereal box, paper plate)

Yes

Not Advised

Yes

Medium

High in lignin so be careful to shred before adding to the HOTBIN and not to add a lot in one go.

Card (inside of toilet rolls, kitchen rolls)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Medium

High in lignin so be careful to shred before adding to the HOTBIN and not to add a lot in one go.

Corrugated Cardboard Boxes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Fast

Shred before adding to the HOTBIN.

Egg Cartons

Yes

Yes

Yes

Fast

High in lignin so be careful to shred before adding to the HOTBIN and not to add a lot in one go.

Glossy Magazine Paper

Yes

Not Advised

Yes

Medium

This can take a long time in cold composting bins. Shred when adding to the HOTBIN. Read more here.

Laminated Paper

Yes/No

No

No

Medium

Most laminates are plastic or aluminium foil and are therefore not compostable.

Newspaper

Yes

Yes

Yes

Slow

High in lignin so be careful to shred before adding to the HOTBIN and not to add a lot in one go.

Printed Paper

Yes

Not Advised

Yes

Medium

Can take a long time in cold compost bins - shred before adding to the HOTBIN.

Sawdust

Yes

Yes

Not Advised

Medium

Due to the small particle size this can block the airflow possibly creating an anaerobic bin.

Shavings

Yes

Yes

Yes

Slow

Can take a long time in cold compost bins - if too much is added, airflow can become blocked.

White Office A4 Paper

Yes

Yes

Yes

Fast

Shredded A4 office paper is surprisingly easy to compost.

Wood Based Waste

Yes

Yes

Yes

Very Slow

 

Wood Treated with Preservatives

Yes

Yes

Yes

Very Slow

Take care - read the back of the preservative tin/bottle. Most modern day preservatives are biodegradable and therefore compostable.

Woody Twigs / Branches

Yes

Yes

Yes

Very Slow

Chop or shred to less than 4cm wherepossible.