Toxicity of Inks in Auckland newspapers?

Posted by Steve Withers on April 16, 2011 at 8:45am

We've started composting our house and garden waste. I've been reluctant to put newspapers in as I have no idea what chemicals are used in the inks or in the manufacture of the paper.

I am not willing to assume "she'll be right". 

I've read modern inks can be based on vegetable pigments and these are OK. But they also say to contact your local newspaper(s) and ask what inks they use. 

Has anyone done that? If so, what did they tell you? 

 

If I get an answer from whoever prints the APN and Fairfax papers, I'll post it here. 

 

Thanks

Steve

 

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Replies

  • Gary Brown August 31, 2011 at 12:38pm

    Newspaper ink is almost entirely soy-based, and non-toxic also newsprint is not bleached so is quite safe to compost or add to a worm farm.

    Also, corrugated cartons are made with starch glues, from plant starch like Corn and Potato. They are 100% biodegradable and non-toxic.

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