Composting shredded material

[Latchibeach]

Hello, I would like to know whether it is better to compost your shredded paperwork in its shredded form, or after its been been burned as I have a chimnea that I use to burn my shredded paperwork ( you can't be too careful these days) and I don't know if you can compost the ashes.

Thank You

[WendyS]

If you burn it, there probably won't be very much left to compost, apart from a few charred ashes, and you will also be polluting the atmosphere and adding a little bit more to global warming. If you've got the time and patience for it to rot down naturally after shredding I suspect this would be the better enironmental option.
Just don't burn the shredded paper as your next door neighbour has hung out her white cotton sheets on the line to dry !!

[Thunderbird+]

I'm inclined to agree with Wendy here and go for the option of skipping the burning and just add your shredded paperwork straight to the compost bin, but not just on top, mix it in with a fork each time with the other rotting material and I think you will find it will rot down in no time at all.
Dont forget to keep the compost wet! Good Luck Tbird+

[Lonnie]

I have a 'Rota Composter', and I put all my shredded paper in it, you'd be surprised how quickly it composts. If you don't have a Rota, then go with Tbirds suggestion,