Question
Recently I notice my neighbor throwing shredded newpapers into their compost. How safe is it to do this? I was under the impression that the ink used in printing wasn't safe if you grow vegetables. Thank you.
Bob
San Francisco
Answer
In most circles, It has been determined that using shredded newspaper in compost is not a problem. Use of toxic inks in newsprint has basically ceased not just for environmental reasons but for worker safety in printing plants. All lead, chromium and cadmium inks are no longer used for newsprint. The colored pages of newspapers can also be used as the copper in the inks used are not in levels high enough to pose a threat. Vegetables grown with compost containing newspaper are considered safe to eat . That said, there really is no way to know exactly where each piece is printed and to what it may have been exposed. My rule of thumb is...If there is concern, why bother if it is not essential. You can replace the use of newsprint with unprinted paper bags, hard brown leaves or other brown garden debris.
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