Can glossy paper go in your worm bin?
No, glossy paper, magazines, and flyers may not go in the Bonter worm bin. The glossy layer is often a plastic-like coating or contains clay-based fillers that are not or hardly broken down by the worms and microorganisms in a worm bin. They remain as indigestible scraps in your compost. The inks, especially coloured and glossy inks, can contain heavy metals and other chemicals that are harmful to the worms and make your compost unsuitable for garden use. This type of paper pollutes your compost and can harm your worms.
How much glossy paper can you add?
None. Glossy paper, magazines, and flyers are unsuitable for the worm bin, regardless of the quantity. Even small pieces will not break down and can contain potentially harmful substances. Therefore, never add this type of paper to your Bonter. There are many safer and more suitable ‘brown’ materials (such as unprinted cardboard and paper) that you can use to keep your compost bin balanced.
🍏 Ready to start composting indoors? Discover Bonter One, our composter for city living.
What to do instead? Alternatives & waste management
Instead of adding glossy paper to your Bonter, it is best to collect it for paper recycling. This is the most sustainable way to process this type of paper waste and ensure that the materials, despite the added substances, are reused as much as possible. For your worm bin, you can better use clean, unprinted brown cardboard (without tape/labels), unprinted paper towels, cardboard egg cartons, or black and white newspaper (non-glossy) as ‘brown’ material. These options are safe for your worms, contribute to a healthy bin, and yield high-quality compost.
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Tips for composting glossy paper, magazines or folders
The main tip is: never put glossy paper, magazines, and flyers in your Bonter worm bin. Collect them separately for paper recycling. For your worm bin, always use clean, unprinted (or only black printed and non-glossy) paper and cardboard. Ensure that all glossy, coloured, or coated papers, as well as tape and labels, are avoided in the worm bin. Also, be cautious of ‘compostable’ packaging that looks like plastic, as these are often only industrially compostable and not suitable for your home worm bin. The safety of your worms and the purity of your compost are paramount.
I’m Mats, founder of Bonter, and I’m on a mission to make indoor composting effortless, ensuring sustainability becomes second nature in your home.
Join 340+ early adopters
Frequently asked questions about composting glossy paper, magazines or folders
Can glossy paper go in the worm bin?
How do I recognize glossy paper?
Do glossy coatings break down in the worm bin?
Are the inks on magazines a problem?
What types of paper can I compost?
Discover more
easy wins for your bin
See how effortlessly your vermicomposter handles common kitchen scraps. These items are favorites of your composting crew and simply transform waste into a valuable resource.
Coffee grounds
Weeds
Waste from small vegetarian pets
Grapes
Perfect for lush indoor plants, the garden, or sharing with the community.
Vegetables
From peels to stems, most vegetable scraps are a perfect meal for your composter.
Fruits
Cores, peels, and rinds provide the energy needed for a healthy, active system.
Household items
Coffee grounds, tea bags, and eggshells add valuable nutrients to your final compost.
