Many people wonder whether you can compost parchment paper. In fact, the smooth surface of parchment paper is a barrier to microbes that break down compostable materials.
In order to allow microbes to break down the paper fibers, you must break it down into smaller pieces first. You can use a paper shredder to break down parchment paper and other paper products into smaller pieces.
The same shredder will also work with cardboard and other types of materials.
Composting Unbleached Parchment Paper
When you throw away leftover food and packaging, make sure to dispose of it properly. Bleached parchment paper is white; it has been bleached using chlorine, which is not a good thing for the environment.
Chlorine breaks down paper fibers and releases a toxic chemical known as dioxin. Not only is this toxic chemical harmful to compost microbes, it is also harmful to the plants that are fed on the compost.
Using unbleached parchment paper is an excellent choice for those trying to live an environmentally-friendly lifestyle. While some brands may label themselves compostable, you should never throw out your paper products without first checking the label to be sure it is compostable.
If you are buying parchment paper for the first time, you should buy the unbleached kind. The unbleached variety will biodegrade completely and won't harm the environment.
Composting Unbleached Wax Paper
Can you compost unbleached wax paper for your garden? That's a question that many people have. The answer is yes if you buy wax paper without paraffin coating. Just make sure to shred it up small and put it in your compost bin.
In addition to composting, you can also use wax paper for wrapping food. Make sure to use wax paper with a natural brown color, as this will help it break down faster.
It takes about two to four weeks for wax paper to break down in a compost heap, depending on the type of wax. To maximize composting, it is important to maintain a proper carbon to nitrogen ratio by adding a variety of green and brown materials to the pile.
Bleaching removes the brown color of the paper and makes it white. The bleaching process may contain harmful chemicals that affect the environment.
Composting Beyond Gourmet Parchment Paper
If you're concerned about the environment, you may be interested in buying compostable parchment paper. While the unbleached version of parchment is compostable, not all brands use it.
Some companies are developing biodegradable parchment paper. You can buy FSC-certified parchment paper from Reynolds, or look for a chlorine-free, compostable variety from If You Care. The above brands have great customer reviews and are great options for sustainable living.
The Beyond Gourmet brand sells many items for your kitchen and dining needs, including parchment paper. In addition to parchment paper, the company also sells coffee filters and baking cups, and paper baking parchment.
The paper is made of natural unbleached paper that has a water-based silicone coating for a nonstick surface. It can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit without damaging the food.
You can compost Beyond Gourmet parchment paper after use by placing it in a compost bin.
Composting Reynolds Parchment Paper
Can you compost Reynolds parchment paper? The answer depends on your particular situation and the type of paper you use. Usually, only the unbleached, brown type is compostable.
While some manufacturers claim their parchment paper is compostable, there are also many types of parchment paper that are not compostable. If you're interested in composting your baking paper, you should first check with the manufacturer to determine if it can be composted.
Unbleached Parchment Paper from Reynolds is chlorine-free and made with 75% unbleached fiber. It is compostable at home and in commercial composting facilities.
It meets EN 13432 composting standards and is safe for people and the environment. Unbleached parchment paper is also longer and wider to fit baking pans.
You can even fold it for easy storage. Whether you use it for baking, storing leftovers, or wrapping gifts, you'll be happy to know that it's compostable.
Conclusion
You can compost unbleached parchment paper because it has no chemicals in it, however, you cannot say the same for the bleached ones. So, it's better to know which parchment paper is compostable.
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