Can You Use Shredded Paper as Mulch? 4 Tips for Applying It Safely

Most paper can only be recycled about eight times before the paper fibers get too short to be repurposed. However, there are ways to reduce paper waste and keep junk mail and other old papers out of trash cans and landfills. Many paper products are compostable but shredded paper is also suitable to be used as a natural mulch as long as you select suitable types of paper and apply paper mulch the right way.

Here is what you need to know about using shredded paper mulch in gardening and landscaping.

Can You Use Shredded Paper for Mulch?

Gardeners often layer cardboard or whole sheets of newspaper over empty soil before starting raised beds or lasagna gardens to keep weeds down. Another option is to use shredded paper as mulch.

Make sure to use only plain paper products. Brown paper bags, kraft paper, plain corrugated cardboard, and newspaper printed with soy-based inks are generally safe for composting or mulching. Insulated cardboard, as well as bleached, glossy paper and boxes with colored printing, are not recommended as these materials may contain toxins and other additives that you wouldn’t want in your garden.

The Pros and Cons of Shredded Paper Mulch

Here are the benefits and drawbacks of shredded paper mulch at a glance:

Pros

• Free
• Biodegradable
• Readily available
• Adds carbon to the soil as it breaks down

Cons

• Some paper contains bleach or inks that aren't safe for gardens
• Thick layers of shredded paper can mat together and form a barrier, causing watering issues
• Soggy paper mulch can attract slugs
• Messy appearance, if it blows out of garden beds
  

How to Apply Shredded Paper Mulch

Here's a basic walkthrough on how to apply paper mulches to make them look more attractive and reduce potential pest problems, matting, and watering issues.

1. Shred the Paper Finely

Large pieces of paper take longer to break down into the soil, and they increase the chances of matting. To avoid this, shred paper mulches with a paper shredder, rather than your hands.

2. Apply Only Thin Layers

Thick layers of paper mulch are also more likely to mat, so it’s best to only apply paper mulches in thin layers that are 1 inch deep or less.

3. Add Water

After spreading the paper mulch over your soil, water the mulch in so it's less likely to blow around.

4. Top with Another Mulch

Cover the paper mulch off with 1 to 2 inches of other natural mulch, such as weed-free straw, shredded leaves, grass clippings, pine straw, wood chips, or bark mulch. Concealing the paper will give your garden beds a more natural look and reduce the chances that paper mulches blow away or attract slugs. Combining a bottom later of free shredded paper with wood chips and other mulch that you need to purchase also saves you money.

Other Ways to Use Old Paper in the Garden

If you don't want to use shredded paper as much because of its potential drawbacks, there are other ways to use paper in your gardening and landscaping to reduce paper waste:

• Sheet mulching. Spreading cardboard or newspaper at the bottom of raised beds before adding soil, or laying paper over garden beds before applying mulch helps to prevent weeds. The layers of paper need to be thin to reduce the risk of matting.
• Composting. Unbleached, non-glossy, minimally printed paper also makes a good carbon-rich addition to compost bins. With regular aeration and moisture, shredded paper breaks down quickly into a rich compost for gardens or houseplants.
• Worm bedding. If you keep a worm bin for composting, use shredded paper as a substrate for composting worms. Again, avoid using glossy, highly-inked, or bleached paper, and combine the shredded paper with some coconut coir or chopped leaves to make composting worms a little more comfy.