Please help me understand ink in compost.
Why is the ink from newsprint and junk mail ok, but the tops of egg cartons and the magazine-y parts of newspaper NOT ok?
Thanks
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rot
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US newspapers use soy based inks because it gets away from haz mat issues which are expensive and have employee health consequences with the old inks.
If you suspect something may be printed overseas, then recycle it by other methods.
Office paper are almost always have been through a photocopier or laser printer. Both of which use toners not ink. I use shredded office paper but most people may not want to because while toner is non-toxic, it is essentially a plastic. The response I got from Xerox was: 'the paper will decay but the toner will not.'
two cents
If you suspect something may be printed overseas, then recycle it by other methods.
Office paper are almost always have been through a photocopier or laser printer. Both of which use toners not ink. I use shredded office paper but most people may not want to because while toner is non-toxic, it is essentially a plastic. The response I got from Xerox was: 'the paper will decay but the toner will not.'
two cents
Thanks for this info Rot. I think I will be more selective about the office paper I use in the pile.
I have been using the egg cartons whole and never thought about the ink on the top. Does anyone know about the question KLParmley posed earlier regarding the egg carton ink?
And why are cereal boxes generally determined to be ok? Does anyone know about the inks used here?
Thanks!
I have been using the egg cartons whole and never thought about the ink on the top. Does anyone know about the question KLParmley posed earlier regarding the egg carton ink?
And why are cereal boxes generally determined to be ok? Does anyone know about the inks used here?
Thanks!
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smokensqueal
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- Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:36 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO Metro area
Like rot said newspaper is typically made with soy based inks. But just like anything else it may vary depending on company and or who prints it for the news company. But because of the haz mat issue like rot said it's usually cheaper to use soy based inks.
As far as magazines those are usually not used for compost not entirely because of the ink but because of the plastic like coating they put on it.
As far as egg cartons it's also going to vary from company. If you really want to know just contact the company. It may take some detective work but eventually you could find out if it's soy based or something else.
Junk mail: Some people have been more concerned with that since I've heard they print most of that in China and other countries that don't have as strict guidelines. So you may never know what's in that ink.
Toner is plastic and will not be digested.
Ink from a ink jet printer is not a plastic. If you want to know what it's made out of just ask HP or Canon or who ever you get your ink from.
BUT unless you compost with only paper and no other browns you don't have much to concerned with. Inks are in so little amounts that even though it may not compost the trace is so small.
How many kids have eaten paper with ink and they've been fine?
As far as magazines those are usually not used for compost not entirely because of the ink but because of the plastic like coating they put on it.
As far as egg cartons it's also going to vary from company. If you really want to know just contact the company. It may take some detective work but eventually you could find out if it's soy based or something else.
Junk mail: Some people have been more concerned with that since I've heard they print most of that in China and other countries that don't have as strict guidelines. So you may never know what's in that ink.
Toner is plastic and will not be digested.
Ink from a ink jet printer is not a plastic. If you want to know what it's made out of just ask HP or Canon or who ever you get your ink from.
BUT unless you compost with only paper and no other browns you don't have much to concerned with. Inks are in so little amounts that even though it may not compost the trace is so small.
How many kids have eaten paper with ink and they've been fine?
