Comments on: Frugality in Practice: Turn Your Junk Mail into Garden Mulch http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/ personal finance that makes cents Fri, 16 May 2008 02:47:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: David http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-130888 David Mon, 05 May 2008 22:43:21 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-130888 This is a terrible idea. You are more than likely violating your state department of environmental quality regulations if not also the EPA. This same mentality is what the chemical companies used when they had the same lack of knowledge and disguarded toxic materials in to the ground/water at (insert super-fund site here)! This is a terrible idea. You are more than likely violating your state department of environmental quality regulations if not also the EPA. This same mentality is what the chemical companies used when they had the same lack of knowledge and disguarded toxic materials in to the ground/water at (insert super-fund site here)!

]]> By: Jeannie http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-130862 Jeannie Mon, 05 May 2008 20:54:00 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-130862 My kids (and I) use our shredded paper for craft projects, particularly making their own greeting cards, paper for scrapbooking, etc. We have a cross-cut shredder. We have an old, used blender, NOT one used for food items. Place the shreds in the blender -- about half full, add enough water so there is approx 2inches ABOVE the shreds, add 1T craft/school glue, food coloring, glitter, etc., please visit one of the many DIY sites for paper making. Add small dried flowers, etc, anything to "enhance" or give texture to the paper pulp. Food coloring can also be added AFTER the pulp has been poured and while still damp (almost dry), it can give a water color and/or tie-dye effect. After the paper is dried, usually overnight, the kids make greeting cards, use it in their scrapbooking, etc. the pulp can also be pressed into molds, etc. There are many other ideas for craft projects using shredded paper pulp. My kids (and I) use our shredded paper for craft projects, particularly making their own greeting cards, paper for scrapbooking, etc. We have a cross-cut shredder. We have an old, used blender, NOT one used for food items. Place the shreds in the blender — about half full, add enough water so there is approx 2inches ABOVE the shreds, add 1T craft/school glue, food coloring, glitter, etc., please visit one of the many DIY sites for paper making. Add small dried flowers, etc, anything to “enhance” or give texture to the paper pulp. Food coloring can also be added AFTER the pulp has been poured and while still damp (almost dry), it can give a water color and/or tie-dye effect. After the paper is dried, usually overnight, the kids make greeting cards, use it in their scrapbooking, etc. the pulp can also be pressed into molds, etc. There are many other ideas for craft projects using shredded paper pulp.

]]> By: Aaron Pinkston http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129706 Aaron Pinkston Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:26:29 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129706 One of my favorite tips is to get an old 5 gal bucket or an empty kitty litter pail, drill a small hole at the bottom on one side, and use it to irrigate my delicate trees during the NC drought. The water slowly soaks into the ground, encouraging deeper growth and reduces evaporation. I personally use free kitty litter pails (they come with the litter) for such watering projects. My dogwood and baby poplar thank me. One of my favorite tips is to get an old 5 gal bucket or an empty kitty litter pail, drill a small hole at the bottom on one side, and use it to irrigate my delicate trees during the NC drought. The water slowly soaks into the ground, encouraging deeper growth and reduces evaporation. I personally use free kitty litter pails (they come with the litter) for such watering projects. My dogwood and baby poplar thank me.

]]> By: Mike http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129590 Mike Mon, 28 Apr 2008 03:52:24 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129590 That is a really a pretty cool - and environmentally friendly - idea. I've reflected before on the fact that that junk mail really wastes a lot of paper. Way to clean up someone else's mess! That is a really a pretty cool - and environmentally friendly - idea. I’ve reflected before on the fact that that junk mail really wastes a lot of paper. Way to clean up someone else’s mess!

]]> By: emsuef http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129573 emsuef Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:18:36 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129573 I'm so glad to read this! I just finished building a garden bed for my own square-foot garden, and used shredded paper (as a teacher, I have a LOT!) as a filler, so that I wouldn't have to use so much soil in filling the garden box. Thank you for posting this! I’m so glad to read this! I just finished building a garden bed for my own square-foot garden, and used shredded paper (as a teacher, I have a LOT!) as a filler, so that I wouldn’t have to use so much soil in filling the garden box.

Thank you for posting this!

]]> By: linda http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129545 linda Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:04:30 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129545 As a faithful shredder ever since someone stole $1,500 from my bank account, I had never considered this idea. I found this from the NY Times garden column, which makes me reluctant to use this as compost: <a HREF="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E1D9163FF937A2575BC0A961958260" rel="nofollow">NYTimes Garden Column</a> I think I'll stick to using shredded paper as packing material. As a faithful shredder ever since someone stole $1,500 from my bank account, I had never considered this idea. I found this from the NY Times garden column, which makes me reluctant to use this as compost:
NYTimes Garden Column

I think I’ll stick to using shredded paper as packing material.

]]> By: ladykemma2 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129524 ladykemma2 Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:45:30 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129524 black belt composter here. you can also use the shredded paper for the equivalent of a sawdust toilet and pet litter boxes. with the addition of household kitchen scraps, yes, including meats, and pet waste, composts rather quickly. no smell, no diseases, no rats, no complaints from neighbors. black belt composter here. you can also use the shredded paper for the equivalent of a sawdust toilet and pet litter boxes.

with the addition of household kitchen scraps, yes, including meats, and pet waste, composts rather quickly. no smell, no diseases, no rats, no complaints from neighbors.

]]> By: rebmoti http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129503 rebmoti Sun, 27 Apr 2008 05:51:01 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129503 We shred our junk mail and use it to line th guinea pigs' cage. Saves a lot on bedding! We shred our junk mail and use it to line th guinea pigs’ cage. Saves a lot on bedding!

]]> By: KENNIE http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129501 KENNIE Sun, 27 Apr 2008 05:14:41 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129501 Hi, Great idea to recyle. I'm tempted to dump the B&W ink shreaded paper back to the garden. One concern is my garden has a lot of fruit and vegetable plants. Would the ink gets into the plants and then goes into the body who eats them? Any harm to human for consuming the inks indirectly ? Hope to get some feedback so that we don't do stupid things that kill our future generations. Hi,
Great idea to recyle. I’m tempted to dump the B&W ink shreaded paper back to the garden. One concern is my garden has a lot of fruit and vegetable plants. Would the ink gets into the plants and then goes into the body who eats them? Any harm to human for consuming the inks indirectly ?
Hope to get some feedback so that we don’t do stupid things that kill our future generations.

]]> By: Bob http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129497 Bob Sun, 27 Apr 2008 03:57:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129497 This is a perfect "Brown/Carbon" to add to the compost to offset the high "Nitrogen/Green" content that spring/summer produce after the leaves have run out. Paper is very high on carbon and can offset a lot of grass clippings and kitchen waste. This is a perfect “Brown/Carbon” to add to the compost to offset the high “Nitrogen/Green” content that spring/summer produce after the leaves have run out. Paper is very high on carbon and can offset a lot of grass clippings and kitchen waste.

]]> By: No Debt Plan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129491 No Debt Plan Sun, 27 Apr 2008 02:51:26 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129491 If this works, that is genius. To the person who wondered if it blows away, I would imagine you could use this as a "base" and then put real mulch on top of it (just not as thick as normal). If this works, that is genius.

To the person who wondered if it blows away, I would imagine you could use this as a “base” and then put real mulch on top of it (just not as thick as normal).

]]> By: Jay http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129472 Jay Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:11:35 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129472 Leigh and Luther, you're right, I misspoke .... been awhile since I contemplated what was in a cigarette (haven't even seen a person smoke in months)! Leigh and Luther, you’re right, I misspoke …. been awhile since I contemplated what was in a cigarette (haven’t even seen a person smoke in months)!

]]> By: Luther http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129459 Luther Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:31:02 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129459 Yes, putting cigarette buts in soil is not "green" or frugal at all. I don't know why smokers have to discard them all over the environment, thinking "it's all natural anyway". It's disgusting and disrespectful to everyone else. Either quit or throw them in the trash where they belong. Yes, putting cigarette buts in soil is not “green” or frugal at all. I don’t know why smokers have to discard them all over the environment, thinking “it’s all natural anyway”. It’s disgusting and disrespectful to everyone else. Either quit or throw them in the trash where they belong.

]]> By: leigh http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129456 leigh Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:21:32 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129456 this talk of cigarettes in your garden soil makes me nauseated. yes, nicotine is a natural pesticide. but it doesn't do a whole lot of good in the soil, it has to be applied to the above-ground plant. it's not just the tobacco and the nicotine that you're putting in there. no, you're also contaminating your local soil or potted plants with plenty of other environmentally damaging chemicals. some examples are benzene, cadmium, cyanide, lead, formaldehyde, methoprene (insecticide) and napthalene (the stuff in mothballs). do you really want that leaching into your water tables and eventually your drinking water? ick. those things should be considered toxic waste. this talk of cigarettes in your garden soil makes me nauseated.

yes, nicotine is a natural pesticide. but it doesn’t do a whole lot of good in the soil, it has to be applied to the above-ground plant.

it’s not just the tobacco and the nicotine that you’re putting in there. no, you’re also contaminating your local soil or potted plants with plenty of other environmentally damaging chemicals. some examples are benzene, cadmium, cyanide, lead, formaldehyde, methoprene (insecticide) and napthalene (the stuff in mothballs). do you really want that leaching into your water tables and eventually your drinking water?

ick. those things should be considered toxic waste.

]]> By: Jay http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129449 Jay Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:01:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129449 Great post, JD! Not a smoker, but nicotine does have some significant virtues in the garden, as do ashes. Never thought about the filters, though. An old fashioned idea: spread out any newspapers (B&W sections only) several layers thick if you want, around flowers/veggies, whatever. Great weed controller and will degrade after 1 or 2 years. Great post, JD!
Not a smoker, but nicotine does have some significant virtues in the garden, as do ashes. Never thought about the filters, though.
An old fashioned idea:
spread out any newspapers (B&W sections only) several layers thick if you want, around flowers/veggies, whatever. Great weed controller and will degrade after 1 or 2 years.

]]> By: The Personal Financier http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129441 The Personal Financier Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:40:48 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129441 Great idea. I still like Seinfeld's Kramer solution - Throwing it back at the spammer face but this will do. Great idea. I still like Seinfeld’s Kramer solution - Throwing it back at the spammer face but this will do.

]]> By: David http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129440 David Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:35:31 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129440 I have composted shredded paper before... it takes a while. I have composted shredded paper before… it takes a while.

]]> By: Shaun Kennedy http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129438 Shaun Kennedy Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:08:38 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129438 Doesn't that scredded paper tend to blow away? Doesn’t that scredded paper tend to blow away?

]]> By: ladykemma2 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129435 ladykemma2 Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:17:39 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129435 if you add "greens", ahem, nitrogen rich urine, (read between the lines) and let it compost, it makes fabulous mulch. I use shredded paper for bunny litter pans and put it straight on the garden. if you add “greens”, ahem, nitrogen rich urine, (read between the lines) and let it compost, it makes fabulous mulch. I use shredded paper for bunny litter pans and put it straight on the garden.

]]> By: Finally Frugal http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129434 Finally Frugal Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:52:39 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129434 I do this too! I started because I don't like to recycle things that have my name and address on them. So I rip that part off, and shred it. I suddenly had a LOT of shredded paper in the recycle bin---which I now put into my composter. I never considered just using it as mulch directly, but will be trying it! I do this too! I started because I don’t like to recycle things that have my name and address on them. So I rip that part off, and shred it. I suddenly had a LOT of shredded paper in the recycle bin—which I now put into my composter. I never considered just using it as mulch directly, but will be trying it!

]]> By: Mr Credit Card http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129432 Mr Credit Card Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:31:00 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129432 For the sake of being more environment friendly, why not implement the steps (which you have written about) to prevent junk mail from being sent to you. That way, you actually help save the trees first! For the sake of being more environment friendly, why not implement the steps (which you have written about) to prevent junk mail from being sent to you. That way, you actually help save the trees first!

]]> By: Ryan S http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129429 Ryan S Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:03:56 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129429 I only had to look at the picture for a few seconds before I spotted your credit card info :) I only had to look at the picture for a few seconds before I spotted your credit card info
:)

]]> By: Drew http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129428 Drew Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:46:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129428 If the shredded paper is good enough for mulch, it's also good enough for your compost pile. Same rules about glossy paper and plastic apply. If the shredded paper is good enough for mulch, it’s also good enough for your compost pile.

Same rules about glossy paper and plastic apply.

]]> By: Sharyn http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129425 Sharyn Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:32:09 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129425 I use the paper from the paper shredder in my worm bin. I do vermicomposting (composting food scraps using worms) in my garage and the paper shreds are the perfect bedding for them. By the time my paper shredder is full again, the paper in the worm bin has either been eaten or it has decomposed. But I like adding these news ideas to my repertoire of recycling/reuse ideas. I use the paper from the paper shredder in my worm bin. I do vermicomposting (composting food scraps using worms) in my garage and the paper shreds are the perfect bedding for them. By the time my paper shredder is full again, the paper in the worm bin has either been eaten or it has decomposed. But I like adding these news ideas to my repertoire of recycling/reuse ideas.

]]> By: Frugal Dad http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129424 Frugal Dad Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:00:37 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/26/frugality-in-practice-turn-your-junk-mail-into-garden-mulch/#comment-129424 Finally, something useful to do with all the junkmail! Hopefully I want have as much after renewing my opt out, but if any sneaks through I know just what to do with it. Thanks for sharing icup's idea! Finally, something useful to do with all the junkmail! Hopefully I want have as much after renewing my opt out, but if any sneaks through I know just what to do with it. Thanks for sharing icup’s idea!

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