Composting Cardboard: All You Need to Know

Would you believe that unbleached cardboard is compostable and safe? You will. Right? Great. What process do you think is the best to turn organic waste like food scraps and yard waste into worthwhile materials? This is possible by incorporating cardboard.

Composting cardboard is a great way to recycle waste products and turn them into valuable organic products for your garden. This blog will teach you how to compost cardboard to reduce methane emissions from landfills and lower carbon footprint. You will learn how it can enrich the garden soil.

What is a Composting Cardboard?

It is a simple process in which cardboard is shredded into small pieces and mixed with green waste. It keeps the pile moist and turns it into aerate regularly. Over time, the cardboard enriches compost with valuable carbon and breaks down.

Cardboard waste adds carbon to the compost heap and balances the nitrogen-rich green materials when properly composted. You can compost cardboard and create a nutrient-rich soil amendment for your garden.

Understood composting cardboard? Before we go further, let’s discuss composting, what it is, and how it works.

What Is Composting? 

Composting is a simple way of decomposing organic materials into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. This natural process involves microorganisms that break down the organic matter in the presence of oxygen. This can improve soil health and help plants grow. Plus, it promotes a more sustainable lifestyle.

Here, a question comes up: Can you compost paper? We will discuss it later after exploring the composting process and how it goes.

How Does Composting Work?

Here is a brief overview of how the composting process works.

• Decomposition: Microorganisms break down organic materials.
• Heat Generation: It generates heat and speeds up the decomposition process.
• Aeration: Turn the compost pile to help the microbes thrive.
• Moisture: A sufficient moisture is good for microbial activity. Ensure the pile is not too much wet.
• Balance: Mix compost well to keep a balance between brown and green materials.
• Development: The organic matter decomposes over time and results in dark and crumbly composts that ultimately enrich the garden soil.

Now, is it possible to compost cardboard? Let’s delve into this.

Can You Compost Cardboard? 

The simple answer is Yes. Cardboard material, a good source of carbon, is compostable and helps to balance out the nitrogen in your compost pile. Some of the challenges it faces are here, along with the solutions.

• Excess moisture: Don’t drop water to compost heat. Excessive moisture can slow down the decomposition process and can also create an unpleasant smell.
• Bad Odor: Compost cardboard regularly by turning it regularly. Add dry paper products to the compost pile to absorb excessive moisture. 
• Heavy Metals: Stay away from composting cardboard if it is coated with a shiny surface. It may contain harmful chemicals and can impact the environment.

You are familiar with the process of how composting cardboard works. Do you know cardboard types? Stay here to learn what types of cardboard are compostable.

Main Types of Cardboard You Can Compost

Cardboard is not equally created. There are some types of cardboard you can compost easily. They are here.

• Unbleached Cardboard: Plain and brown cardboard is compostable when unbleached.
• Shredded Cardboard: Smaller pieces of cardboard are easy to compost quickly and more efficiently
• Cardboard packaging: The cardboard boxes you get online that are not coated in wax can be composted.
• Corrugated Cardboard: Made from natural fibers, it breaks down quickly in a compost pile.
• Cereal Boxes and Pizza Boxes: Non-greasy boxes with no plastic lining are involved in pizza and cereal boxes, which enables them to compost.

Here is the step-by-step process to compost cardboard.

How to Compost Cardboard — Step-by-Step

It is easy to compost cardboard by following simple and easy steps. Here they are.

• Choosing Cardboard: Use plain and non-coated cardboard. Remove staples, tape, and labels. Shredding: Use a box cutter and cut the cardboard into smaller pieces. It can speed up the decomposition process.
• Moisten: Wet the cardboard to help it break down faster.
• Layering and Mix in Compost: Add the moistened shredded cardboard into a pile or in the compost bin and mix it with green materials such as kitchen and yard waste.
• Balance Materials: Balance cardboard with nitrogen-rich green materials at a 3:1 ratio of brown.
• Turn Regularly: Aerify the compost pile by turning it frequently.
• Observe Moisture: Keep the pile moist. Make sure it is not too wet.
• Wait and Monitor decompositions: The decomposition period can take a few months or a year. The cardboard will break down over time and result in nutrient-rich compost. Wait and have some patience.
• Harvest: Use the dark and crumbly compost in your garden.

Let’s count the period and how much time does cardboard usually takes to decompose.

Also Read: A Brief History of Cardboard: Who Invented Cardboard

How Long Does Cardboard Take to Decompose? 

How long for cardboard to decompose? This question is very common. Wait. The answer is here. Cardboard typically takes 6 to 8 months to decompose if it is done in a well-maintained compost pile. However, this period can be extended to a year based on several factors, such as the sizes of shredded cardboard, moisture levels, and the balance of green and brown materials.

To make the process efficient, cut the cardboard into smaller pieces and mix them well. Then, start the decomposing process. It will break down faster. Happy composting.

You can do composting cardboard yourself. Right? If yes, let’s conclude it.

Ready to Compost Your Cardboard — Closing Statement

Composting cardboard is undoubtedly an effective way for those who look to reduce carbon footprints while enhancing garden health. It reduces waste while enriching soils as it breaks down cardboard, contributing to sustainable waste management and supporting environmental benefits.

You contribute to a more sustainable approach and promote healthier plant growth by incorporating cardboard into your composting efforts.

Want to learn more? Don’t hesitate to contact Custom Product Packaging by dropping us a line at orders@customproductpackaging.com.