Can soft drink boxes be used in lasagna or compost?

17 years ago

Can you put the coated, chipboard (?) boxes from soft drink (or beer, or whatever) twelve-packs into the compost pile or use them for the lasagna method?

I take the cans to the recycling center, but they won't take the boxes. I hate to waste them if they could help the garden.

Thanks,

Mari (newbie, obviously)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

hutch123
17 years ago
I use the drink boxes in my compost bin. Cereal boxes etc too.

Sometimes I tear them with my hands to get them down to a manageable size. Sometimes I shred them with the paper shredder.
kqcrna
17 years ago
I shredded a Bud Light Box a couple of weeks ago and really jammed the shredder. I'd done it before with no problem but last time it really jammed. I couldn't undo it. I tried reversing, unplugging and trying to get the stuff out of the blades with hemostats, no luck. My husband did finally get it out but I don't think I try shredding them again. I give my husband enough important jobs around here without that. I think I'll just stick to tearing my beer boxes.

Karen
Related Discussions
Lasagna garden - materials to use?
Q
Comments (5)
I use layers of horse manure, then a layer of confetti shredded paper from work or leaves as available, then manure again repeating as I go adding coffee grounds or whatever else I have on hand. I have been doing this for about 5 years now and I have gone from having clay soil that I couldn't dig into, to now having rich, sweet loam that is easy to dig in and plants thrive in. Since I have 5 miniature horses, waste from the field is never lacking...so I make use of it. I also bought a bag of alfalfa pellets a couple years back and did an experiment with a thin layer of the pellets on one bed. Man those plants LOVED that! I forgot to do it last year, but since I was just reminded of that, I will be doing that again this year!! -Amy
...See More
Using school waste paper in a compost bin or lasagna garden
Q
Comments (3)
I'd use all of it, as long as it isn't fluorescent or have metallic inks. The glossy stuff should be shredded first so you maximize edge space that water can get in through. The gloss is a kaolin clay finish, so that's okay.
...See More
Composting Cardboard Boxes
Q
Comments (7)
I would not run over cardboard with my mowers. Wet it might be soft enough but I would not want to ruin the blade or knock it loose. I run cardboard through a regular paper shredder. Mainly it is for bedding in my worms bins. I have a cheapie paper shredder that is designed to shred CD's and credit cards, so cardboard is not a problem. I just use a box cutter to cut cardboard into 4 or 5 inch widths and then run it through. I get small pieces.
...See More
Rose bush roots and lasagna composting ?
Q
Comments (4)
There are no dumb questions!:) Glad to hear you are trying lasagna, I started one this year for the first time also. I think if you use cardboard (cut apart boxes) first and make sure they are overlapped about 6" at the edges the roots should rot down. If you use newspaper then use many layers, I think the cardboard is easier. The worst thing that can happen is that they start growing again and you could then dig them out.
...See More
adayfromnow
Original Author
17 years ago
YIPPIE! I'm glad I finally found another use for these things. A gal can only have SO MANY "disposable trashcans" sitting around.

Thanks for the tip on the shredder, too. Good to know! I'd much prefer to learn from someone else's OOPS - especially since I just bought a new shredder! Hmmm... but I do still have the old one for back-up. LOL

Speaking of "oops"... any kitchen scraps you DON'T want to put in a household blender?

Thanks,
Mari
cncnorman
17 years ago
Hi Mari ~ hope you didn't get trashed by that storm we had last night. Sirens going off and all - sheesh! My kids spent the entire time in their 'tornado shelter' under the stairs with laptops playing on barbie and cyberchase. :) Such wonderful inventions these wonderful computers. ;)
I find that cereal boxes and soda boxes take quite some time to break down so I use a paper shredded to slice and dice them. They break down in no time. Just make sure to use machine oil after every thirty minutes of use to keep the blades in good shape and don't try to put the whole box in at once, make sure to put it through in single pieces at a time I also compost pizza boxes, take out boxes from Long John Silvers break down nicely as does the paper sacks from McDonald's and Sonic. ;) Also, you can shred the kids' homework and graded papers, too. Just some fun things for you to try.
As for things to NOT put in a blender - I found out the hard way that pistachio nuts are a big NO NO NO. LOL! Although, truy I don't bother with food like that anymore. I throw in whole pumpkins in autumn and huge chuncks of watermelon in summer. Not saying this works for everyone - just works for me.
Have fun!
Christina
adayfromnow
Original Author
17 years ago
Christina, out here in the "east", we didn't get any of that storm the other nite. We barely got enough rain to get the ground wet. Glad to hear y'all made it through safely.

I have my lasagna bed started & can't wait to get the compost pile going. I need to decide on the best location pretty soon 'cause my piles of materials are growing rapidly. lol *DH thinks I'm nuts for keeping all this stuff, but at least he doesn't have to take out the trash as often!

Thanks for the tips!

- Mari (future compost wacko)
*PS: Can someone please tell me what the "D" stands for?! (DH..DBF...DW...etc)
cncnorman
17 years ago
mari - the 'D' can vary depending on the tone of voice used in the sentence. if i am very made at my significant other it will be dipstick hubby, dumbo hubby but most times it is darling and dear hubby. :) have you figured out the SWMBO and IIFYHH, yet? found those on one of DH's forums he reads. turns out the one was she who must be obeyed and the other was if it makes you happy hon. :)
hugs, christina
coasterphile
17 years ago
What CAN'T you put in a blender?!? Have you ever seen this website? It is quite amazing! You'll find yourself watching as many videos as you can! Make sure you atleast watch "Cochicken!" You'll have yourself one of these sitting next to your paper shredder!

Here is a link that might be useful: Will it Blend?
adayfromnow
Original Author
17 years ago
EEEEEEEEEWWWW! Cochicken! Gross! LOL Yep, that blender would be awesome to have, but I'm not quite ready to make THAT kind of an investment. $400 - YIKES!

Guess I should ask what you shouldn't put in the cheapo $30 blender from WM (mostly wondering about banana peels, potato skins, onions & the like). I think about the only thing I've used my blender for is margaritas!

Thanks for clearing up the "D" Christina. I suspeced "dear" but wasn't sure (I'm sure I'll come up with a few other D-labels myself from time to time - lol). As for the other acronyms, I haven't seen too many of those...yet! TIA for clearing up those two if I ever come across them!

- Mari