Composting

Though Moon Willow Press prints on FSC or post-consumer paper only, it is inevitable that in the publishing process some paper will be up for reusing, such as the paper used in packaging materials. MWP uses c-flute from General Fasteners (GF) in Vancouver, a paper that has some post-consumer material in it and which is 100% recyclable. That means you can recycle it via your city or get creative in reusing this paper. One idea is using this packing material in your compost.

What is compost?

Compost is decomposed organic material recycled into fertilizer and soil additions. Because of its recycled nature, making compost is environmentally sound. And it’s beneficial for your garden because it enriches soil.

Note: Compost materials are comprised of about 2/3 carbon-based and 1/3 nitrogen-based matter. Carbon is the brown material such as wood pieces, dried leaves, fruit peels, egg shells, pine needles, coffee filters, paper, sawdust pellets, and hay. Nitrogen is the “green” material such as manure, green leaves, and food scraps.

Warning: Your compost could stink or attract pests. Here’s how to deal with those things. Make sure fruit and vegetable matter is covered with at least an inch or two of clippings, or try calcium or lime, to keep fruit flies out. If you have problems with raccoons, make sure you have a hinged lid on your bin. If your compost starts to stink, make sure that a) you have not added bones or meat products and b) cover new layers with dry grass clippings or mulch. You can also add lime, calcium, or more carbon-rich matter.

What not to compost: Cat and dog feces, disposable diapers, meat/fish/dairy products, cooked food, plastics, anything treated with chemicals, diseased organics (plants/leaves with mildew, dark spots, rust), soil in large quantities, big roots and roots of plants that will regrow (like bindweed and dandelions), and cuttings and other plant parts that haven’t been cut down finely or shredded.

How to compost?

1. Make sure you have an outdoor space in which to make compost. You can use a heap right on the ground to build a compost pile or, for smaller compost projects, use an enclosed bin with 1.5cm aeration holes in rows about 15-cm around the bin. You can also build or buy wire mesh, snow-fence, wood and wire boxes, or wormeries. These can be static or turning. Realize that compost, though it can take as little as 6-8 weeks to be ready, could take a year. When the composting process is complete—when the compost is dark brown and earthy smelling—it should mature for another month or two. The compost should be somewhat fine, though you might have some lumps and stringy material. Large pieces of lumpy compost can be used for your next batch.

2. Have the materials for composting. These can be any organic materials not listed in the warning above, but don’t forget that corrugated packaging your book came in!

3. Before using paper in your compost material, ensure that the paper has no gloss or colored inks.

4. Shred the paper first. It may be too thick for an office type of shredder, or you may not have a shredder. In this case, you can cut up the cardboard finely with your hands or scissors.

5. Start your compost outside, on bare earth or in an aerated bin, to allow aeration by worms and other organisms.

6. The first level is a drainage level. You can use twigs or straw.

7. The second level is your shredded compost material, in this case the paper. You should also add to the mix: leaves, wood ashes, sawdust pellets, straw, seaweed, food scraps not listed in the warning above, and tea bags. Mix the dry and moist materials. Layer thinly.

8. The third level is the activation level. You can use any nitrogen source, including buckwheat, wheat grass, comfrey leaves, grass clippings, young weeds, clover, or manure.

9. The final level is a cover. Use home materials: wood, carpet scraps, and anything that can keep the compost from becoming too wet.

10. Keep the compost moist (but not too wet), and turned and aerated (with a rake or shovel).

11. See step 1 for the length of time the compost will take to mature. Use compost as an addition to your garden. Use it with soil, not alone.

Happy composting.