Hi!
I'm not exactly a newbie to composting but I haven't done it in many years (been living in a city where bins are frowned upon) and have a question.
I noticed that it's okay to put cardboard egg cartons & paper towel tubes in the pile, but what about paper plates? I mean the plain white ones, not the ones with color on them. I use the plain ones when we go on picnics and we mostly eat sandwiches. Would these be okay to put on the pile if I shred them up a bit first?
Thanks for your advice!
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- Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 4:28 pm
- Location: Ellenwood, GA
They're probably fine!
I attended an Earth Day work "party" for my city last April. They had us put the paper plates from our provided lunch into the compost containers, along with the cornstarch-based flatware, fruit peels, grape stems, etc.
Depending on how long you're willing to wait for the compost, shredding may not even be necessary.
Since I'm not willing to wait indefinitely and cannot get hot temps in my bin, I shred my cardboard, paper, etc.
Cynthia H.
USDA Zone 9, Sunset Zone 17
I attended an Earth Day work "party" for my city last April. They had us put the paper plates from our provided lunch into the compost containers, along with the cornstarch-based flatware, fruit peels, grape stems, etc.
Depending on how long you're willing to wait for the compost, shredding may not even be necessary.
Since I'm not willing to wait indefinitely and cannot get hot temps in my bin, I shred my cardboard, paper, etc.
Cynthia H.
USDA Zone 9, Sunset Zone 17
Hi there - I use Chinets paper plates. They are made from 100% recycled materials and they're biodegradable. They don't contain chlorine bleach, so you can toss those used plates in your compost bin, where they will break down in about sixty days. I do rip them up before I put them in my compost pail and before they reach the compost bin.
These plates can be purchased at Costco here in NJ and between the cost savings there and the compostability I give these plates a big thumbs up!!
Happy Composting
These plates can be purchased at Costco here in NJ and between the cost savings there and the compostability I give these plates a big thumbs up!!
Happy Composting