Using Bleached Paper as an

Ingredient in Compost

Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science

Research Proposal

Maximilian Midili

maximilian.midili@ocvts.org
Introduction:

“In nature’s laboratory, there are a number of organisms (micro and macro) that have the

ability to convert organic waste into valuable resources containing plant nutrients and organic

matter, which are critical for maintaining soil productivity.”(Nagavallemma, K., Wani, S.,

Lacroix, S., Padmaja, V., Vineela, C., Rao, M., and Sahrawat, K. 1970, January 01).

Fertilizers and composts are best made by nature’s own process. With the threat of

climate change, landfills, and carbon emissions it is vital that we find ways to reuse the wastes

that we build up.

In my research, I shall focus on the problem of paper build up. Specifically, common

household bleached paper. I will test to see if it has any affect on the quality of plant growth. I

will grow 3 plants. The first will use no compost. The second will use a normal compost that is

store bought. The third will be the specially prepared bleached paper compost. Paper is a great

absorbent. It retains water extremely well. Using paper in compost will help moisture retention in

soils, vital for plant growth. “Water Retention Value− The ratio of the mass (weight) of water

retained after centrifugation under specified conditions by a wet pulp sample to the oven-dry

mass (weight) of the same pulp sample.” (Water Retention Value kemesta.fi) Water retention in

soils is very important. Higher moisture levels allow the roots to absorb water easily. This

improves plant growth. A compost containing paper may increase the water retention value in

soils.

Using paper as an ingredient in compost is not only beneficial to plant growth, but also to

the environment, as the paper being used isn’t filling landfills where the decomposition process

is halted. This causes landfills to fill faster than needed. Making more landfills in the

process.“The process of manufacturing paper releases nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and
carbon dioxide into the air, contributing to pollution such as acid rain and greenhouse gases.

Furthermore, the US consumes more than 30% of all paper products globally, despite being only

5% of the world's population.” (Dennis, ​Impacts of Paper on the Environment​ 2016) Reusing

paper is extremely important.

The waste of paper in today's day and age is unjust and unfair to the environment. By

giving back to mother nature in the form of compost we can start to make a change for the better.

Hypothesis:​ Using bleached paper as an ingredient in compost will retain soil moisture and help

plant growth just like a normal compost.

Methodology:

● (Materials)

1. Composter (Tumbler Style)

2. A large garbage bag full of paper (preferably private documents that need to be shredded

anyway)

3. Paper shredder

4. Kitchen Scraps or Garden Scraps (No Meat)

5. Store bought compost.

 6. 3 plants of the same species (I will use basil) one will have the prepared compost.

Another will have the store bought compost, and the other will have no compost as a

control.

● Process

1. Shred the bleached paper Into fine scraps you should be able to fill a large garbage bag.

(Do NOT shred plastics such as clear envelopes)

2. Fill the tumbler (2 parts shredded paper 1 part kitchen scraps)

3. Turn tumbler 5-15 times daily anywhere from 4-16 weeks (depending on the speed of the

paper and scraps’ decomposition)

4. When Compost is ready apply it to one of the three plants. Add the store bought compost

to another and have no compost in the third.

5. Allow the plants to grow for one month analyzing the difference of nutrients in the soils

and the moisture retention when the month is over.

Timeline:

September: Have materials gathered and start the composting (it is best to compost in warm to

hot weather)
October-January: Harvest compost and add it to one of three plants. Compare the nutrient levels

and any unexpected differences

February: Analyze the soil moisture levels and plant growth after 1 month and bring the

experiment to a close.

March: Analyze collected data to come to a conclusion. Create visual representation and begin

working on a presentation

References:

Nagavallemma, K., Wani, S., Lacroix, S., Padmaja, V., Vineela, C., Rao, M., &

Sahrawat, K. (1970, January 01). Vermicomposting: Recycling Wastes into

Valuable Organic Fertilizer.Global Theme on Agroecosystems Report no. 8. Retrieved August

15, 2020, from ​http://oar.icrisat.org/3677/

Mark Valencia (2019, January 13). How to Turn Shredded Paper into Compost Garden Plant

Food. Retrieved August 15, 2020, from ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VNSvkZ_D_c​ ​h

Epstein, E., C. Sundberg, S., M. Romantschuk, M., M. Romantschuk, M., KR. Gray, K., GG.

Golueke, B., . . . A. Wagner, N. (1997, January 01). Bacterial diversity at different stages of the

composting process. Retrieved August 18, 2020, from

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1471-2180-10-94
(Water Retention Value kemesta.fi)

http://www.kemesta.fi/document.php/1/77/c_62-00.pdf/09970155d4080eb543734a79a6dbf035

Dennis, K. (2016, June 12). Impacts of Paper on the Environment. Retrieved August 29, 2020,

from ​https://community.aiim.org/blogs/dennis-kempner/2016/12/06/impacts-of-paper-on-the-en

environment