Plain shredded paper is a safe and budget-friendly material when used correctly. Apply in thin layers and top with natural mulch to prevent matting. Shredded paper can also be used in your compost bin ...

I compost all leaves, pine needles, etc. I also shred paper. Would the shredded paper be a good ingredient to add to the pile? A: Absolutely, positively. Shredded office paper, newspaper and assorted ...

Q: I work in an office that produces a lot of shredded paper. Is it safe to use it as a mulch or in a compost pile? A: First, a word of caution: Be sure that your employer permits removal of the ...

Q. Can you tell me if the paper from my paper shredder can be used as mulch? Seems to me it is actually the same basic material as the ground-up tree trimmings I see being used. -- M.B., Houston A.

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Thai Noipho / Getty Images You've spent a weekend shredding old bills and school papers, and now you don't know what to do with ...