[SustainableTompkins] newsprint logs

[Margaret McCasland]

Hi Pat and all,

I checked on the toxicity of burning newsprint a year ago or so; 
there are some good Canadian websites on burning paper (and on using 
woodstoves in general), plus NYS DEC had some info on burning paper 
on their web site.  I'll try and retrieve the links and post them.

I do remember that burning newsprint was "OK," especially since 
soy-based inks are almost always used these days. Even the colored 
inks aren't as bad as they used to be.  But any BLEACHED paper 
(including "bright white" newsprint--the slightly thicker, 
lighter-colored paper used for some ads, and white paper inserts 
sometimes in newspapers) will release dioxins from the bleaching 
process.  And home stoves burn paper at a lower temperature than 
commercial incinerators, which releases far more dioxins.

The shininess on some inserts comes from clay, which shouldn't be 
toxic, but I don't trust the thick layer of colored inks, so I don't 
burn or compost inserts. I feel most comfortable burning ONLY the 
slightly gray (regular) newsprint in a stove. I was assured the 
colored comics are not a problem. I hope this is true, because there 
are now colored inks on almost every page of the Ithaca Journal.

Brown kraft paper is not bleached, so it's probably OK to burn.  That 
and regular newsprint are the only paper I put in my compost (lining 
my compost bucket with a bit of recyclable paper makes it much easier 
to empty).

Paper recycled without using bleach during the recycling process is 
partially/mostly made from bleached paper (and will be until we ban 
chlorine bleach from ALL papermaking), so I still don't burn or 
compost recycled white paper because of the dioxins left from 
chlorine bleach.

Of course any burning--even of "renewables"--has pluses and minuses. 
One of the most important variables to reducing emissions is having a 
good "draft" through a stove pipe with as few bends as possible 
(preferably none).  You want to burn the paper at as high a temp as 
possible. That's another reason your suggestion --only using paper as 
part of the kindling process-- is a good one.

It looks like we're about to finally have late fall weather--enjoy your stoves.

Margaret


PAT WROTE:
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 09:42:20 -0500
From: "Patricia Haines" <ph24 at kaxy.com>
Subject: [SustainableTompkins] newspaper logs?

I had a great time at America Recycles Day learning how to make 
newspaper logs. Now that I've tested
them myself, in my woodstove, I'm passing on some recipes for anyone 
else to try.

They turn out to be great as a next-step from kindling, and they last 
longer than simple newspaper
rolls.  But they don't replace good, solid hardwood logs.

Before I get any more enthusiastic about this as a good recycling 
project, can anyone tell me about
emissions from burning newspaper logs? colored, non-shiny newspaper inserts?

Anyone else have experience with newspaper logs?

thanks - Patricia


Level Green Institute
- fostering social, economic and environmental sustainability through 
collaborative initiatives in
hospitality, education and the arts