Brown items in compost
Andy Leeds
Posts: 512
Ok another probably stupid question....
I have what seems to be a never-ending supply of 'green' items for the compost bin; grass clippings, food waste (peelings, apple cores, etc). I struggle with the browns. Ok, I almost fund Amazon single handedly and receive a mountain of cardboard that I know would be perfect, but I really don't have the time or inclination to hand shred (or cut with scissors) into tiny pieces to add to the pile.
I'm sure there's an easier way that having to buy an industrial shredder - what do you put in for browns if you don't have a shredder? Or a I just being lazy and do I need to set aside a few hours a day cutting these boxes into tiny pieces?
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I don't tear boxes into little bits, just rip it up a bit and stuff it in the compost bin.
It soon takes up moisture and breaks up in no time.
I put a few bits of cardboard in each time I add some green.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I just lay in on top in a single layer and find it rots down a treat.( I know MD says it doesn't rot down and should be sent to the council tip, but he's wrong) I managed all our house moving boxes in a single season.
When you add it, just water it with a watering can. If you can do it just before you cut your grass, all the better.
don't forget newspapers and junk mail.
Last edited: 15 May 2016 09:52:18
Hi Andy. If you water the sheets of cardboard before putting them into tne compost bin they will soak it all up and then it is really easy to rip them up into smaller pieces.
Toilet rolls, tea bags, coffee filters, kitchen paper towel, egg boxes make up some of mine. I get a lot of sawdust from the hamsters too.
Anything brown paper wise or cardboard gets ripped into A5 size and scrunched, soaked if possible and chucked in. It always breaks down.
Ah A5 size, nice. Seems I've been thinking I needed to tear them into tiny pieces for some reason :-)
Looks like I'll be adding a fair bit today then.
Autumn leaves can be gathered and stored in dumpy bags or brown bin liners & kept moist so they start to rot down. About 6 months later (as grass cutting season comes into it's own) you can start mixing the leaves into the grass cuttings.
I also add shredded paper from the office.
So old newspapers are ok then? Even the Daily Mail?
Toilet rolls?
I always flush mine
I also add the contents of the Dyson after hoovering - can you mention two brands in one sentence????