Can I Compost Junk Mail? | 4 Types of Junk Mail to Avoid

Junk mail that is made from plain non-glossy paper can be shredded and composted at home if it is not left in its plastic wrapper. Junk mail that is highly colored or contains a lot of ink should not be composted in a home bin or pile.

It will take a long time to break down, contain colored inks which can end up in your compost and have very few nutrients that benefit your garden.

This article will explore the types of junk mail that can be composted as well as those that you should avoid adding to your compost bin altogether.

Types of junk mail that can be composted

Here are the two types of junk mail that are safe to compost at home. This junk mail can be shredded and mixed into your compost with a garden fork. It will add carbon to your mix and prevent the mail from ending up in landfill.

1. Plain paper

Any junk mail that is made from non-glossy, plain paper can be composted. This will have a matte or non-shiny finish and will have minimal ink. Plain paper can be shredded to help it to break down even faster. Shredded paper can be sprinkled on top of your compost and dug through with a garden fork.

Shredded junk mail that is made from plain paper can also be used as worm bedding. You can layer an inch on the bottom of the worm farm or use it to cover food scraps as you add them.

2. Newspaper

Newspaper is fine to put in your compost as long as it is separated into individual sheets or shredded. You can tear newspaper into small pieces and soak it in water to help it to break down even faster. Just remember to mix it through your compost thoroughly so it does not clump.

The more surface are that the worms and soil bacteria can reach, the quicker the newspaper will be broken down into finished compost.

Junk mail that should not be composted

Here are a few types of junk mail that should be kept out of your compost. These will  be hard for soil bacteria to break down, can upset the balance in your compost and add inks and dyes to your soil.

1. Magazines

Avoid adding any glossy magazines to your compost. Even if they are shredded they will take a long time to break down. Lots of glossy paper has a plastic coating which is difficult for soil bacteria to digest. Plastic particles can still exist in your compost and end up in your soil.

Magazines are not good for your compost but can be placed in your recycling bin. Commercial facilities have machines that break down this product so it can be reused.

2. Highly colored paper

Do not put any junk mail made from highly colored paper in your compost bin. The ink is usually synthetic and difficult for soil bacteria to break down. The ink can remain in your compost and will end up being mixed through your soil.

2. Glossy paper

Avoid adding any glossy paper to your compost bin. The glossy paper can have a plastic coating that will not break down in your compost for a long time. Glossy junk mail can be recycled however so don’t throw it out. Put it in your recycling bin instead.

3. Plastic wrapped junk mail

Do not put any junk mail that is plastic wrapped straight into your compost. The plastic will not break down and the junk mail will be trapped. If the junk mail is on paper with minimal ink, is non-glossy or is made from newspaper you can take it out and compost it.

Shred the plain junk mail without the packaging to help it to break down fast.

4. Thick cardboard or paper without shredding

Thick cardboard or paper added to your compost will take a long time to break down if it is not shredded or torn. Thick paper or cardboard should be torn up if you can into pieces that are 1-2 inches wide. Cardboard strips will break down over time and make great brown material for your compost.

How to compost regular mail

Regular mail including letters that are made from plain paper without a plastic window can be composted. It is best to shred this paper to help it to break down quicker.

If you don’t have access to a shredder, take the paper out of the envelope and shred it into pieces. Soak the paper in a bucket of water for an hour so that is well hydrated. You can then pour the water and the paper onto your compost.

Plain paper with little ink will be broken down in your compost bin over time. I would only add a small amount of paper, perhaps 1-2 letters per month to avoid adding too much ink to your compost. Paper is also high in carbon but low in nutritional value so is considered a brown material.

Add shredded paper with other brown material like straw, hay and sugar cane mulch to give worms and soil bacteria a variety of materials to feed on. A compost pile with lots of variety will help it to keep in balance, add a range of nutrients and make it the perfect ingredient to improve your soil.

Can I Compost Junk Mail? | Summary

Junk mail can be composted if it is not made from glossy, highly colored paper or cardboard. Shred the paper in a shredder or tear it into small pieces before adding it to your compost. Soak the paper or spray it down with a hose to hydrate it and help it to break down as fast as possible.

Remember to keep the ratio of around 1:3 of green to brown material in your compost bin. Junk mail is brown material and will break down fast when mixed together with fall leaves, straw, hay and coffee grounds.

Happy composting.