Shredded paper can be composted, but only certain types and only when mixed properly with other materials

Most shredded paper breaks down in a compost pile, but it matters what kind of paper you're shredding and how much you add. Newspaper, cardboard, and plain office paper all compost, but glossy paper, colored inks, and treated paper do not. The real issue is that shredded paper is carbon-heavy and breaks down slowly, so adding too much will clog your pile and slow decomposition instead of speeding it up.

The safest approach: shred only plain white or black-and-white printed paper, mix it in thin layers with nitrogen-rich materials like grass clippings or food scraps, and keep the total paper content below 30 percent of your pile by volume. If you're unsure whether a piece of paper is safe, don't shred it.

Key Takeaways

  • Plain white office paper, newspaper, and uncoated cardboard can be composted, but glossy magazines, colored cardstock, and paper with plastic coating cannot.
  • Shredded paper is mostly carbon and breaks down slowly, so it should never make up more than about 30 percent of your compost pile by volume.
  • Mix shredded paper in thin layers with nitrogen-rich materials like grass clippings, vegetable scraps, or coffee grounds to speed decomposition.
  • Avoid shredding paper that has been treated with bleach, wax, plastic laminate, or heavy inks, as these do not break down in home compost.

Which papers are safe to compost

Plain white copy paper, newspaper, and kraft cardboard (the brown kind) all compost without problems. These materials have no coating, no plastic, and no chemical treatment that would interfere with decomposition. Shredding them makes them break down faster because it increases surface area, though they still take weeks or months to fully disappear.

Black-and-white newspaper ink is soy-based or mineral-based in most modern papers and poses no risk. The same is true for standard office printer ink. If the paper was printed in a home or office, it is almost certainly safe.

Cardboard boxes, paper bags, and paper towel tubes all work. Tear or shred them into pieces no larger than a few inches across. Avoid cardboard with tape, staples, or plastic windows still attached.

Papers you should never compost

Glossy magazines and brochures have a plastic or wax coating that does not break down in home compost. Colored cardstock, construction paper, and poster board often contain dyes or treatments that are not designed to decompose. Thermal paper (receipts and some ticket stubs) contains chemicals that leach into compost and should stay out of your pile.

Paper with heavy ink coverage—such as color photographs, color-printed brochures, or inkjet-printed photos—should not go in. The inks may contain heavy metals or other compounds that do not belong in finished compost. When in doubt, throw it in the trash instead of the compost.

Avoid any paper that has been treated with bleach, wax, or plastic laminate. Paper with a waxy feel, such as some bakery bags or deli wrapping, will not decompose. Shredded paper from a cross-cut shredder that has been sitting in a bin for months can also develop mold or mildew that may introduce unwanted organisms to your pile.

How to layer shredded paper in your compost pile

Shredded paper works best when layered thin and mixed with other materials. A good rule is to alternate: a thin layer of shredded paper (about 2 to 3 inches), then a layer of nitrogen-rich material like grass clippings, food scraps, or manure, then another thin layer of paper. This prevents the paper from matting down and blocking air flow.

Keep the total paper content to no more than 30 percent of your pile by volume. If your pile is 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide, paper should occupy no more than about 9 cubic feet of that space. The rest should be green materials (grass, food scraps, manure) and brown materials (leaves, straw, wood chips).

Wet the shredded paper as you add it, or add it to a pile that already has moisture. Dry paper will repel water and slow decomposition. If your pile is too dry, the paper will sit unchanged for months.

Why shredded paper slows down compost if you use too much

Paper is almost pure carbon, and your compost pile needs a balance of carbon and nitrogen to break down efficiently. Too much carbon and the pile stalls—microbes run out of nitrogen to fuel decomposition, and the pile sits dormant. Shredded paper is especially prone to this because the small pieces can pack together and create air pockets that slow the whole process.

A pile that is mostly shredded paper will also mat down under its own weight and moisture, blocking the air flow that aerobic decomposition requires. You will end up with a dense, wet, slow-rotting mass instead of a working compost pile. This is why thin layers and mixing are essential.

Alternatives if you have a lot of shredded paper

If your shredder produces more paper than your compost pile can handle, consider using it as mulch around garden beds or trees instead. Shredded paper makes a decent moisture-retaining mulch, though it will blow away in wind and needs to be refreshed every season. Lay it 2 to 3 inches thick and keep it a few inches away from tree trunks and plant stems.

You can also use shredded paper as bedding for chickens, rabbits, or other small animals if you keep them. It absorbs moisture and breaks down into usable manure. Some municipalities accept shredded paper in yard waste bins, so check your local program before deciding to compost it yourself.

If you have a large volume of paper and no use for it, recycling is the best option. Most curbside recycling programs accept shredded paper as long as it is placed in a paper bag or tied loosely so it does not escape the truck.

How long shredded paper takes to decompose

Shredded paper typically takes 2 to 6 months to fully break down in an active compost pile, depending on pile temperature, moisture, and how much nitrogen-rich material is mixed in. In a cold pile or one that is mostly paper, decomposition can take a year or longer. Finely shredded paper breaks down faster than coarsely shredded paper because it has more surface area exposed to microbes.

You will know the paper is mostly decomposed when it has turned dark, lost its shape, and crumbles easily in your hand. At that point it is safe to mix into finished compost or use as a soil amendment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I compost paper with colored ink?

Black-and-white printed paper is safe. Colored ink from office printers is also generally safe in small amounts. Avoid paper with heavy color coverage, such as color photographs or glossy brochures, as the inks may contain compounds that do not belong in compost.

What about paper from a shredder that has been sitting in a bag for months?

Old shredded paper can develop mold or mildew in storage. It is still compostable, but add it in smaller amounts and mix it well with fresh materials. If it smells strongly of mold or ammonia, use it as mulch instead of adding it to an active compost pile.

Can I compost paper bags from the grocery store?

Plain kraft paper bags without plastic coating or wax lining can be composted. Tear or shred them and add them in thin layers. Bags with plastic windows or waxy interiors should go in the trash.

Does shredded paper attract pests to my compost pile?

Shredded paper itself does not attract pests, but a pile that is mostly paper and not decomposing will eventually develop odor problems that can draw rodents or insects. Keep your paper-to-other-materials ratio balanced and your pile moist and active to avoid this.

Can I use shredded paper from a cross-cut shredder?

Yes, cross-cut shredded paper composts the same way as strip-shredded paper. The smaller pieces may actually break down slightly faster because they have more surface area, though they are also more prone to matting if you add too much at once.