GardenBanter.co.uk - burning junk mail for ash

GardenBanter.co.uk (https://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/)

- Edible Gardening (https://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/edible-gardening/)

- - burning junk mail for ash (https://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/edible-gardening/88258-burning-junk-mail-ash.html)

Loki	31-12-2004 10:13 PM

burning junk mail for ash

Hi, I've been looking around the web for information of whether junk
mail burnt is safe or advisable to use as a source of ash in the
garden or compost pile. But I haven't found anything useful yet. This
is junk mail (glossy, semi and non glossy) mostly with colour
printing. Anyone any ideas?

--
Cheers,
Loki [ Brevity is the soul of wit. W.Shakespeare ]

Antipodean Bucket Farmer

02-01-2005 02:23 AM

In article 9862673105542613.NC-
, lid
says...
Hi, I've been looking around the web for information of whether junk
mail burnt is safe or advisable to use as a source of ash in the
garden or compost pile. But I haven't found anything useful yet. This
is junk mail (glossy, semi and non glossy) mostly with colour
printing. Anyone any ideas?

Personally, I would avoid it. Especially with colour
inks. That stuff might give off some rather toxic
fumes while burning, and if there are any heavy metals,
etc, that would still be present in the ashes.

I would suggest only burning black-print newspaper and
office paper, along with wood chips/scraps, etc.

My junk mail just goes into my city recycle bin.

--
Get Credit Where Credit Is Due
http://www.cardreport.com/
Credit Tools, Reference, and Forum

Antipodean Bucket Farmer

02-01-2005 02:23 AM

Glenna Rose

02-01-2005 06:05 AM

lid writes:
Hi, I've been looking around the web for information of whether junk
mail burnt is safe or advisable to use as a source of ash in the
garden or compost pile. But I haven't found anything useful yet. This
is junk mail (glossy, semi and non glossy) mostly with colour
printing. Anyone any ideas?

It's my understanding that we shouldn't burn it at all, for any reason,
because of the toxins in the papers and inks (color printing). I certainly
wouldn't burn paper, of any sort, just to use it for ash. It seems the
environmental damage from the burning outweighs any benefit of composting.
It's not quite the same as using ash from wood used for heating or cooking
where we are using a byproduct of other uses. Recycling the paper through
your local agencies is most preferred.

Glenna

Glenna Rose

02-01-2005 06:05 AM

Bubba

03-01-2005 11:03 AM

Loki wrote:

Hi, I've been looking around the web for information of whether junk
mail burnt is safe or advisable to use as a source of ash in the
garden or compost pile. But I haven't found anything useful yet. This
is junk mail (glossy, semi and non glossy) mostly with colour
printing. Anyone any ideas?

I'm not sure I'd burn it, but it can certainly be composted (or used for
mulch). The US banned heavy metals in inks years ago, and I've read
from numerous sources that colored inks actually benefit the soil. Worm
composting however, should not (I've read) contain colored inks.

Bubba

--
You wanna measure, or you wanna cook?

Bubba

03-01-2005 11:03 AM

Loki	03-01-2005 08:58 PM

il Mon, 03 Jan 2005 06:03:30 -0500, Bubba ha scritto:

I'm not sure I'd burn it, but it can certainly be composted (or used for
mulch). The US banned heavy metals in inks years ago, and I've read
from numerous sources that colored inks actually benefit the soil. Worm
composting however, should not (I've read) contain colored inks.

Bubba

It's a confusing world for sure. Inks probably vary a lot and I have
no idea if our inks are different from the US's I've never found
paper mulch pretty to look at. The birds soon have it in tatters,
then the wind takes over...
I'm not sure one can even recycle the highly glossy stuff - too
unlike paper. Doesn't even burn that well either but in winter
sometimes a source of heat is needed :-)
--
Cheers,
Loki [ Brevity is the soul of wit. W.Shakespeare ]

Loki	03-01-2005 08:58 PM

All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:55 PM.