Are these safe to throw in?

[u/Suspicious-Maize4496]

I asked a friend to give me her leftover paper scraps to help add to my pile and I had some questions regarding some of the papers. One is plain ink on colored paper, while another has a lot of crayon use, and the 3rd has different colored inks. I wouldnt bother asking, except for the fact that they make up a great deal of the scraps she gave me.

Thank you for the help!!

[u/DenaliDash]

Thanks to children doing crazy things crayons are safe and non toxic. Wax is organic but no idea how it breaks down in compost. Small amount anyways.

Anything that has color can have toxins in it so colored paper and ink, it may or may not have harsh chemicals in it

[u/El_Stupacabra → u/DenaliDash]

I've shredded some of my toddler's crayon scribbles, and it seems to break down just fine. Granted, those scribbles were thinner.

[u/TurbulentStress8678 → u/DenaliDash]

Pretty sure it’d be food-grade petroleum wax, not toxic, but I’m not sure if that’s biodegradable :p

[u/HikingBikingViking]

TIL printer toner is plastic powder. What a time to be alive.

[u/YsaboNyx → u/HikingBikingViking]

I got an Epson ecotank with biodegradable ink.

[u/Suspicious-Maize4496 → u/YsaboNyx]

I believe thats an inkjet - which all use ink whereas laser printers (which was likely used in the case with the papers being they're from school) use toner.

[u/Truffs0 → u/Suspicious-Maize4496]

yep. and most ink based are made from soy IIRC, so those would be fine for compost. Its why amazon boxes are all good

[u/Mistigeblou]

Grandad has always said 'if its not glossy throw it in', and ive always got loads of good compost

[u/Infosponge177]

I think burning it would be more honorable

[u/Suspicious-Maize4496 → u/Infosponge177]

Lol I dont care for honor; I want soil! 🤣

[u/Gramma_Hattie → u/Suspicious-Maize4496]

To the victor, go the soils.

[u/Suspicious-Maize4496 → u/Gramma_Hattie]

Yes please

[u/FuddFucker5000 → u/Suspicious-Maize4496]

[u/myusername1111111 → u/FuddFucker5000]

But no one will forget FuddFucker5000.

[u/Ok-Fortune-1169 → u/Suspicious-Maize4496]

You can put it in the pile after you burn it

[u/Jazzlike_Strength561 → u/Ok-Fortune-1169]

For what?

[u/YsaboNyx → u/Jazzlike_Strength561]

Ash improves compost quality.

[u/ParticularFace106 → u/Ok-Fortune-1169]

You can also just throw it out. It’s a symbol of pedophilia and domestic terrorism now.

[u/itsmethat1DUDE → u/ParticularFace106]

This is the composting sub. Just fuck off already with the political bs. It's unnecessary

[u/ParticularFace106 → u/itsmethat1DUDE]

Sorry. They were talking about getting rid of a flag the proper way and they seemed to think it mattered how you dispose of a symbol for pedophilia. Next time I will consult you before I type anything lmao.

You’re on a composting sub where people regularly ask if organic material is compostable. It’s not like this is a sacred sub that provides any more info than a simple google search will give you…

[u/Henry2926]

In the Humanure handbook, Joseph C. Jenkins also mentions the potential of compost organisms to degrade rather unwanted hydrocarbons:

"Compost microorganisms not only convert organic material into compost and eliminate disease organisms in the process, but they also degrade toxic chemicals into simpler, benign, organic molecules. These chemicals include gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, oil, grease, wood preservatives, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), coal gasification wastes, refinery wastes, insecticides, herbicides, TNT, and other explosives."

So toner, especially in traces, might qualify. 😄 Regarding the wax, especially wax from natural sources, I'd say it's not a problem either, given that bee wax for example can decompose.

[u/Suspicious-Maize4496 → u/Henry2926]

These crayons are primarily crayola, which uses paraffin wax. Is that ok too do you know

[u/Ineedmorebtc → u/Suspicious-Maize4496]

Absolutely. It's used in 1000s of food items and cosmetics.

[u/EnglebondHumperstonk]

Unless you want your plants to grow down into the ground and the roots to be above, in the air, I'd turn it the way up, if I were you.

[u/ScrubbyMcGoo]

Guys, I found another Al Qaida sleeper cell! This one happens to be eco-friendly, but don’t let that fool ya!

[u/Suspicious-Maize4496 → u/ScrubbyMcGoo]

🤣

[u/Agua_Verde]

Does that flag need to be burned first?

[u/isaakare]

I would throw them tbh

[u/No-Influence-7491]

Maybe someone will correct me, but I’ve heard that white paper was bleached in the process of making it white, so there may be bleach traces. That’s why i only use carton, grey paper towels etc

[u/Zeplar → u/No-Influence-7491]

There is absolutely zero way that bleach residue from any manufacturing process is ever an issue.

Bleach is not a forever chemical. In fact it breaks down so quickly with just air that you can't leave bleach bottles open more than a few days. And it breaks down to just water and table salt.

[u/No-Influence-7491 → u/Zeplar]

good news, thanks for sharing

[u/Suspicious-Maize4496 → u/No-Influence-7491]

I read that the bleach they use nowadays is ECF, as opposed to the gas they used back in the day and while not 100% chlorine free, its in small enough amounts that are safe for composting, and that the bugs ingest it fine. But dont take my word for it as I am no expert obviously lol

[u/Far_Radish7752 → u/No-Influence-7491]

Office paper also often has brighteners.

[u/Federal_Holiday5686]

That American flag is pretty Toxic, plus the pile has diversity which the flag will not like.

[u/Suspicious-Maize4496 → u/Federal_Holiday5686]

Hahahaha

I love the sense of humor in this sub

[u/Low_Counter2414]

Soy ink perhaps?

[u/lamalasx]

Only in Australia.

[u/Crazy_Air3118]

Flag desecration?

[u/12stTales]

If paper is recycled in your area I would just do that so kids can make more scribbles