Do you use a paper shredder?

I use a shredder. When mine broke while I was cleaning up for a move two states away, I bought another pronto. I think you are crazy. Go buy a reasonably durable one before you throw out anymore sensitive stuff ripped that way.

AGES (10+ years) ago, before I had a shredder, I'd seen some news stories on TV of showing stuff reconstructed from what I believe was pretty well destroyed or shredded with a strip shredder. Don't underestimate the amount of free time out there by the determined...

edit: Whoops... I didn't notice the compost bin part. I still think you're semi-crazy. Buy a replacement shredder.

 

I guess I'd only worry about the worms finding out your net worth.

 

maybe it's time to go paperless?

 

Shred and recycle. I think it is actually safer to shred and recycle than it is to shred and garbage. Now if shreading is not an option, compost bin is probably a decent way to go. Other options are: burning (if you can), or look to see if your bank holds a "shreading event". mine does about every 6 months.

 

FWIW, some areas will unfortunately NOT accepted shredded paper in the reycling bin. See http://www.wmnorthwest.com/redmond/recycling.html, for example.

 

I'd think quarters aren't enough in case some blow away.
May matter to some, others not: one of the negative things about composting shredded paper is you are introducing chemical agents used to manufacture the paper. I found this out when I was using our shredded paper as bedding for composting worms. They protested by escaping.

 

Your worms shouldn't be so picky! We shred as well, but haven't used it in compost...

 

Buy another shredder and recycle. I am not sure that toner as a synthetic polymer is such a good idea for the garden.

 

I shred and recycle. I don't compost, mostly because I live alone and there isn't much food waste - I get angry when I have to throw food away. I would imagine that shredding would make the composting more efficient, but I really have no clue. I would agree that ripping into quarters may not be enough. Then again, I'd be pretty surprised if someone made an effort to look through a compost bin to get papers. Most thieves want the easiest and quickest, and I don't know that they'd go that route to do it. That doesn't mean they won't, but I'd imagine going through trash would be the first choice then moving to a neighbors.

 

fireplace.:flame:

 

I usually only compost newspaper as I know that is made with soy ink.

I don't compost other types of shredded mailings because I'm not sure what type of ink, pigments and toner they used.

Just buy a new shredder. I own several.

 

One of my sons was recalling when he got a shredder: set it up, plugged it in, then started looking around for something to shred: the only thing he could find was the shredder instructions...

Not that shredder operation is rocket science. Basically: don't dangle your tie over it and you'll be fine. Still...

 

^^ a lot have a touch sensor now that the slightest touch and it'll shut the operation. I was quite surprised how little pressure it needed. Luckily I've never dangled a tie into one before, but I can just imagine a video is probably out there on YouTube of someone that did...

 

My favorite, and I'm not making this up, was the temp gal asking "Where does the paper come out of the fax at?" as I watched her shred away.

 

Our local voting center uses a paper scanning voting machine, where each voter inserts his or her ballot. I've always wanted to rig up a sound effect generator to make it sound like a cross cut paper shredder.



Tom

 

I vote for a new shredder or holding it for the event at the bank. If thieves will go through trash/garbage looking for credit card offers, account numbers, etc. I would think curbside recycling would be an easy place to find some financial treasures. Shredding is alot less trouble than correcting identity theft.