[Flump]

 How dangerous is it to use old carpet on your plot?I heard that it leaches chemicals as it rots,is that right?

[DD.]

Yes.

[Flump]

but loads of people use it on our plots?! does that mean it's not that bad,or they don't know?

[DD.]

Sounds like ignorance is bliss.

Quite a few councils ban its use.

When we took on Mrs. Digger's plot, the bindweed had simply grown through some that the previous tenants had put down. It was the devil's own job to pull it up. Horrid stuff.

[Flump]

ok,thanks.My neighbour asked if I would mind if he put some on the path between us but Isaid I would be concerned about the chemicals,then felt paranoid!I had put some grass seed down,hopefully will grow.He didn't seem too pleased 

[DD.]

I think you did the  best thing.

[Spana]

It make a wonderful warm and cosy place for mice and slugs and stuff grows through it making it hard to lift .  Bob Flowerdew now advises against using it.
Last year i use news papers with a thick layer of grass clippings on top.  That worked well and can be turned in later in the year.  You must leave the news papers  whole and unfolded and they must be overlapped so you need a lot

[Irene]

Take it for what its worth but my hubby is a Nuclear Engineer.

We had old carpet removed from a room and when I offered to simply burn it in the burn ring in the kitchen garden he told me in no uncertain terms I didn't even want those chemicals in my ash, let alone in the air.

I figure if he's wary of it there must be some nasty stuff in there

[JayG]

Was probably a safer bet in the days when men were men and carpets were made of mostly natural fibres; now they are mainly man-made fibres, as likely as not foam-backed, and possibly impregnated with anti-fade and anti-stain chemicals as well. Not nice!  

[prakash_mib]

above said is right. it is when carpets rot -> weeds run through -> slow worms build their nests -> you want that space to grow.added side effects of chemicals seeping in and the plot looking rubbish all the time. nightmare of a year i had last year to clear them and to rehome the kiddies.
I dont even fancy carpets at home! have to live with them just on staircase.