[net.garden] query: computer paper as mulch

mmr@ritcv.UUCP (Margaret Reek) (04/10/84)

	Does anyone out there know if the green ink found in computer paper
has any toxic chemicals in it, that would preclude it from being used as a
mulch in my garden?  Newspapers are supposed to make a good mulch, but the
colored sections should not be used because some of the inks contain lead,
and now they are finding that the yellows may contain PCBs.  I have access
to tons of scrap computer paper, but hesitate to use it least it contaminate
my soil.  I called the Cooperative Extension here, but they couldn't shed
any light on the subject either.  Can anyone clarify this for me?


				Margaret Reek
				ritcv!mmr

beth@umcp-cs.UUCP (04/12/84)

While we are on the subject, will white computer paper be okay?  Is it
better than newspaper since it doesn't have as much ink?  I've always
just used grass clippings.
-- 
Beth Katz, Univ. of Maryland, College Park, Computer Science Dept.
UUCP: {seismo,allegra,brl-bmd}!umcp-cs!beth
ARPA: beth@maryland	CSNET: beth@umcp-cs

ark@rabbit.UUCP (Andrew Koenig) (04/15/84)

It's probably not a good idea to use computer paper as mulch:
it has too many bugs in it.