Can You Compost Glossy Paper?
No, as a rule. Glossy magazines, catalogs and flyers are coated with clay and sometimes plastic, so they break down poorly and add little. Small amounts of non-foil glossy paper are debated, but recycling is the better route.
At a glance
| Home compost pile | No |
|---|---|
| Green or brown | Neither (not a green or brown input) |
| Moisture | Dry |
| Prep | None needed |
| Worm bin | No |
| Bokashi | No |
What to do with glossy paper instead
Recycle glossy paper curbside, where it's widely accepted. For compost, stick to newspaper and cardboard.
Put glossy magazines, catalogs, photo paper and coated flyers in paper recycling. Anything that feels plasticky, shimmers or has metallic foil definitely stays out. Use plain newspaper, office paper or cardboard as your paper browns instead.
What goes wrong
Glossy paper resists water, so it sits in the pile as slick sheets for a long time. Some composters shred small amounts without obvious trouble, but coatings and inks vary by publication, so there's no single safe answer. Laminated or foil-stamped paper leaves plastic fragments behind.
Worm bins and bokashi
Worm bin: Keep glossy paper out of worm bins; worms get little from it and the coatings aren't worth the risk.
Bokashi: Glossy paper doesn't belong in bokashi.
Balancing the rest of your pile? Check the balance with the compost mix calculator.
From hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/glossy-paper/ · General guidance, not professional advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can you compost magazines?
Generally no. Most magazines are glossy-coated paper. Recycle them instead.
Is glossy paper toxic in compost?
Many coatings are clay-based rather than toxic, but some include plastic, and inks vary. It's less a clear hazard than a poor, uncertain compost material.
Can you compost wrapping paper?
Plain matte paper, yes. Glossy, metallic, glittery or foil wrapping paper, no. If it doesn't tear or scrunch easily, it's probably coated.