Municipal waste consists of 13% yard, 12% food, and 34% paper waste.
Instead, you can repurpose that kitchen wastage into nutrient-rich organic compost.
The composting process doesn’t involve human intervention. To initiate the decomposing process, you just need to add the right proportions of carbon, nitrogen, and bacteria.
The University of Maryland states that for every 30 parts of carbon, you must add 1 part of nitrogen.
You can compost egg cartons made from paperboard or cardboard as a carbon material.
These are made from biodegradable material that adds brown to your compost heap.
Cut the egg cartons into small pieces and add the right amount of green material to initiate decomposition.
But if you want to go completely organic, check with the egg carton material. Most egg cartons are made from newspapers that may include colored inks.
Also, you should avoid using egg cartons made from plastic and foam. They are not compostable.
In short, You can add egg cartons to compost only when they are made from paperboard.
What are the Ingredients needed for composting?
Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.
To create a good compost pile, you need a balance of green materials (nitrogen-rich, like fruit scraps, vegetable peels, and grass clippings) and brown materials (carbon-rich, like dry leaves, cardboard, and wood chips).
Water and oxygen are essential to help microorganisms break down the materials efficiently.
Composting has immense benefits for plants. It improves soil structure, increases water retention, and enhances microbial activity, leading to healthier plant growth.
It also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers by providing a slow-release source of nutrients, ensuring plants get a steady supply of essential elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Carbon-rich brown materials play a crucial role in composting. They balance the moisture from green materials and prevent the compost from becoming too wet or smelly.
These materials also break down slowly, releasing energy that fuels microorganisms responsible for decomposition.
As the brown materials decompose, they enrich the compost with stable organic matter, helping the soil retain nutrients for longer and supporting plant health.
How to Compost Egg Cartons?
Egg cartons, especially those made of plain, uncoated cardboard or paper pulp, are excellent additions to a compost pile.
They are a great source of carbon (brown material), which helps balance the nitrogen-rich (green) materials in compost. Follow these steps to compost egg cartons efficiently:
1. Check the Material
Before composting, ensure the egg carton is made of unwaxed, non-glossy cardboard or molded paper pulp.
Plastic or Styrofoam egg cartons cannot be composted, as they do not break down naturally.
If the carton has ink, check if it is soy-based or water-based. Soy-based ink is generally safe for composting.
2. Tear the Carton into Small Pieces
Egg cartons decompose faster when shredded into smaller pieces. You can tear them by hand or cut them into small strips using scissors.
This increases the surface area, allowing microorganisms to break them down more quickly.
3. Mix with Other Compost Materials
Mix the egg carton pieces with nitrogen-rich materials such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings to maintain a healthy compost balance.
A good ratio is 2-3 parts brown material (egg cartons, dry leaves) to 1 part green material.
4. Keep the Compost Moist and Aerated
Egg cartons absorb moisture, so check your compost pile’s dampness regularly. The pile should be moist but not soggy, like a wrung-out sponge. If it gets too dry, sprinkle some water. Turn the compost pile every few weeks to ensure even decomposition and proper airflow.
5. Wait for Decomposition
Depending on the composting method and conditions, egg cartons can break down entirely for a few weeks to a few months.
Warmer temperatures, regular turning, and a balanced mix of materials speed up the process.
Composting egg cartons reduces landfill waste, improves compost quality, and supports healthy soil. Their fibrous texture also helps aerate the pile, making composting more effective.
How Long Does Paper and Cardboard Take to Decompose?
Paper and cardboard generally take 2 to 6 months to decompose, depending on factors like moisture, temperature, and the size of the pieces.
Shredded paper and small cardboard fragments break down faster because they have more surface area for microbes to work on.
Paper products can decompose within a few weeks in a well-maintained compost pile with proper aeration and moisture.
However, thicker cardboard, such as corrugated boxes, may take up to a year if left in large pieces or dry conditions.
To speed up decomposition, it’s best to tear, soak, or shred the material before adding it to compost.
Keeping the compost pile moist and regularly turning it helps microbes break down paper and cardboard more efficiently, enriching the soil with organic matter.
Conclusion
Composting egg cartons is an easy and eco-friendly way to recycle waste while enriching your compost pile. Since they are an excellent carbon source (brown material), they help balance moisture, improve aeration, and support microbial activity for faster decomposition.
By shredding them into small pieces and mixing them with nitrogen-rich materials, you can speed up the breakdown process and create nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
Composting egg cartons instead of throwing them away reduces landfill waste and creates a more sustainable environment. Their fibrous texture helps maintain a well-structured compost pile, ensuring better soil health and plant growth.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting