Compost or Not

Can I Compost Paper grocery bags?

Yes

Paper grocery bags can be composted.

What to Know

  • Paper grocery bags are excellent for composting as they're made from biodegradable materials
  • They count as 'brown' material in your compost mix, providing carbon
  • Shred or tear them into smaller pieces to speed up decomposition

Tips

  • Wet the bags before adding to the compost pile to help them break down faster
  • Avoid bags with glossy prints or plastic coatings
  • Mix with 'green' materials like food scraps to maintain a good carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in your compost