In a world of Amazon and other e-commerce providers, there is an endless stream of boxes on porches worldwide. Cardboard makes up over 40% of our waste. Composting is a great way of removing some of that cardboard in a green fashion. First, there are a few questions to answer for you to know the answer “can you compost cardboard?”
The good news is that you can compost most cardboard, and it’s a great carbon source for your compost heap. We do need to do a few things to make it easier to break down.
Which Cardboard is Compostable
Brown, uncoated cardboard is typically compostable. You want to avoid cardboard that is colored like cereal boxes and dog food. You also want to avoid cardboard that has a waxy coating.
If it’s normal brown shipping cardboard, then you are good to add the cardboard to your compost heap. The cardboard shouldn’t be shiny (indicating a wax or other coating.)
Other types of compostable cardboard to consider:
- Paper towel and toilet paper rolls (if not bleached)
- Egg Cartons
- Pizza Boxes (if not bleached)
How to Compost Cardboard
First, use only clean cardboard. You don’t want to toss a box with spilled cleaning supplies or something in it. Food is usually okay. For example, brown pizza boxes are alright. Remove any tape or labels.
If you just toss a box in your compost, it will take a while to break down. Here are the best ways to handle your cardboard:
- Shred or rip up the cardboard into smaller pieces – This helps it break down faster. This can be as simple as taking a box cutter and (carefully) cutting it into strips. You can also make it easier to tear by soaking it in water and ripping up the wet cardboard. This also adds
- Add the cardboard in layers – You don’t want the cardboard all in one place in your compost.
How Long Does It Take to Compost Cardboard
If you just toss the cardboard loosely into your compost heap, it could take many months for it to compost. Shredded cardboard will compost much more quickly, usually within 2-3 months. It’s a great way to reduce waste and add carbon to your mix, but unfortunately, cardboard isn’t the fastest composting material.
It does help to provide structure to your compost pile, which helps to create air pockets in the middle of the compost. This creates a great environment for the microbes that help with composting.
That’s why things like dry leaves and grass clippings are better if you’re looking for a great source of carbon for your compost. However, it’s always good to be able to remove any material from the waste stream.