Junk mail, newsprint advertising fliers, and paper envelopes pile up in our house fast! We’ve opted out of as many lists as we can, but the paper keeps coming. So, we’re looking at ways to make better use of this trashmail.
In the past, most of this material has gone directly from the front door mailbox to the backdoor recycling bin — sometimes making a stop at the dining room table where it piles up until it runs through a shredder. Occasionally, some of it would go into the outdoor firepit to start summer evening marshmallow toasting events. Rarely, did it go to use around the house.
Today, we’re implementing a new plan. Non-glossy or plastic-window-containing trash paper is headed for the worm composter. This stuff makes great bedding for the worms. It helps insulate the worm bin to keep them warm, and when push comes to shove, the worms and their decomposition buddies will eat up the paper, composting it for the garden.
Teach Kids about Worm Bins
I’ll be writing more about vermicomposting in the coming months. Interested in building a worm composter or having one built for your Seattle-area garden, check out Bob Albert’s post on the new worm bin he just built for a Garden Mentors client. Need to find worms or other supplies for your worm bin? Check out the new composting section of the Garden Help Garden Store.
And I invite you to join me at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show on February 21st and February 22nd at 2pm on the Sprout stage for my kid-focused, family-friendly introduction to composting with worms. Find more information on this presentation and buy tickets to the 2009 Northwest Flower and Garden Show here.
Tags: composting, northwest flower and garden show, recycling, vermicompost, worm bin
[...] took less than an hour to complete. The bins, on sale, cost about $16. The recycled newspaper & junk mail bedding & yard waste leaves were essentially free. The grit, leftover from a pathway project, was [...]
[...] question also brings up the credibility of my post on using junk mail for worm bin bedding. Frankly, I stand behind it. The more we can compost at home, the less oil used in transporting and [...]
I use the plastic window containing junk mail too. Just reach inside the envelope and peel the plastic window off. Toss it and use the envelope(s)
This works for cardboard pasta boxes and other ‘grocery’ recyclables as well.
YMMV