Compost question

[Melodychick]

I've been composting for years, but one question I’ve researched and not found a definitive answer to is, can you compost cardboard boxes such as cereal boxes? I’ve seen as many yeses as no’s so at this point I’ve not done it. I guess the question comes down to is the ink used safe? Would love to hear your thoughts!

 

[Susannah4040]

I have never used it, but maybe if it was wet, like it was 'pulp' it may then be added to your compost...

 

[SonoranChick]

I would say no, due to the inks/dyes. If there is little to no color or design on the box you should be ok. Some packages are specifically labeled as "compost friendly"- Sun Chips did this a few years back...

 

[Melodychick]

Some packages are specifically labeled as "compost friendly"- Sun Chips did this a few years back...

Thanks for that info. I’ll check labels since many of the boxed products I use are organic, maybe their packaging is too!

 

[lazy gardener]

Melody: Here's my take on cardboard and newspaper: If it's got that plastic shiny coating, or a lot of ink, I leave it out. If it's not coated, and not heavily inked (colored) it goes in. I take a trip to an appliance warehouse several times a year to bring back a truck load of appliance boxes. I load just as many as I can get into the bed of the truck and strap them down with ratchet straps. THAT's a lot of cardboard! It goes in the garden, in the orchard, and most recently in a sheet composting area that I've been working on. I laid the cardboard down there, and tossed a few bags full of leaves on top of it (left the leaves in the bags) to keep the wind from picking it up. A few weeks later, I went back to move the leaf bags. The worms had completely eaten the cardboard under the leaf bags, and the ground was COVERED with worms. IMO, the worms have given all the endorsement about the desirability of cardboard as a compost amendment that I need!

ETA: I do take the time to remove all staples, all tape, especially fiberglass tape from the cardboard before it gets used. Some of those appliance boxes also have strings of fiberglass or other reinforcement laid into the middle of them. Any such boxes are rejected for composting.

 

[Melodychick]

Thanks @lazy gardener that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing. I use the cardboard to block weeds from pathways and noticed after a couple of years of doing that, the soil underneath is full of life and looks very fertile, so now I have plans to incorporate more cardboard and thus my question. Good idea about the appliance warehouse too!!!!

 

[lazy gardener]

My most recent cardboard enterprise is to use it to destroy poison ivy which is invading my yard from the sides of the road. I've laid down thick layers, with 6" of wood chips over the cardboard. This after hand pulling the invading vines 3 x. This spring, after the thaw, I think I'll lay thick layers of cardboard down into the ditch, and cover that with a dark colored tarp, and stake it down to the ground.

 

[Maneiac]

I've been composting for years, but one question I’ve researched and not found a definitive answer to is, can you compost cardboard boxes such as cereal boxes? I’ve seen as many yeses as no’s so at this point I’ve not done it. I guess the question comes down to is the ink used safe? Would love to hear your thoughts!

I would stick to clean unprinted cardboard and brown paper if you are going to use it on veggies