[strangerachael]

It's annoying as it's such a good way of using up  the ridiculous amounts of paper that get wasted in offices. What about inkjet inks - are they ok?

[pairofacres]

As I understand it, inkjets quite variable in their ingredients. Some contain oil derivatives, but others are completely biodegradable.

I'm sure I read somewhere that if you soak a sample in water, if the ink dissolves, it denotes that it's likely to be biodegradable. If however it stays firmly bonded, or gives off an oily residue, it contains oil derivatives which are probably best avoided.

[Thamesmeadhammer]

Ok I have asked a good friend who is an engineer and another good friend who is the Service manager for Canon copiers to look into this.
I asked if paper that has fused toner (Photocopies & Laser printers) is ok to be put into the water table or food chain.
Hopefully have an answer today !

[UrbanG]

I also had a chat to my mate about this yesterday and he said he "suspected" that all modern day inks are biodegradable. (I know 'suspected' is not a very definite answer

But he went on to add that he has been using all sorts of shredded paper for years in his spud and bean trenches.
BUT, he does not add the paper to a compost pile with other materials, instead he puts them all in a bin liner, ties the top, stabs the bag to make several holes and puts it in a dustbin full of water for a month or to.

allegedly this helps breaks down the paper and helps remove any toxins which may be there.

Uses this method for all paper APART from glossy paper. Which he burns.

[Trillium]

The simple rule we follow over here is nothing glossy goes into any form of compost, nor do the little plastic windows in business envelopes, or business cards. Everything else can be shredded and used in some form of composting. Toxic inks are under far more control now and as said, the tiny bit that the average person receives is so minimal, it's unlikely it would penetrate more than the first few inches of soil before it totally breaks up. Paper from business offices are another matter due to the sheer quantity and would need more scrutiny for adverse components.

[Thamesmeadhammer]

Hello all,

Spoken to my friends and they have sent me the following links:

Please see links below for information as regards FUSED toner.

Cannon Toner Data Sheet

https://msds.canon-europe.com/Environment/CENVMSDS.nsf/WEBBROWSE?Openform

I have been assured that using it in shredding of printed sheets will be fine.  

Hope this helps !

Thanks

Tony

[Trillium]

The first link wouldn't let me in.  It tells me I'm unauthorized.

[Aunt Sally]

The first link wouldn't let me in.  It tells me I'm unauthorized.

Should work now!

[solway cropper]

Carbon black is carcinogenic??

oh, no, I had burnt toast for my breakfast this morning.