Paper - Burn it, Mulch it, or Recycle It?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lynn Jenkins on October 16, 2010 at 12:56pm

Hi Kevin,
Good for you for all your recycling and looking for the best alternative!
Reuse is the highest form of environmentally friendly use, so once both sides of the paper are used ;~) please continue to shred and compost it. It adds good organic matter back to the soil once composted.
The second best choice is to take it to the recycling center to be made into more paper.
Burning is not an environmentally friendly choice at all since it would pollute the air.

I might also suggest the same for leaves. Compost or use as a mulch around trees and shrubs, but do not burn them. Most counties, in fact, have laws against burning trash and leaves these days. Here's an article from Indiana Living Green on what to do with leaves
http://indianalivinggreen.com/gardening-a-nature/rake-free-leaves-m...

Permalink Reply by Kevin M. Hill on October 17, 2010 at 9:36am

I don't ever burn leaves. They make a great addition to my compost. Is burning better than throwing in the landfill? Is all burning bad, such as a campfire?

Permalink Reply by Carol Coots on October 16, 2010 at 1:03pm

Burning paper is not good for the environment. I recycle all paper. You can also use it as mulch. Place it underneath your regular mulch or dirt and it makes a good weed barrier until it totally deteriorates into the ground. I also shred everything with my name and address information on it.