Tissue paper, encompassing common household items like facial tissues and paper napkins, is frequently discarded. The short answer to whether it is compostable is often yes, but this outcome depends heavily on the type of tissue and its condition after use. Understanding the fundamental material composition and recognizing specific contaminants is necessary to successfully divert these items from the landfill and into a compost pile.
The Fundamental Rule of Paper Composting
The principle for composting tissue paper rests on its primary component: cellulose fiber. Tissue paper is considered a “brown” or carbon-rich material, providing the necessary carbon structure to balance the nitrogen content of “green” materials like food scraps. This natural polysaccharide, which forms the cell walls of plants, is readily biodegradable because specialized microorganisms can break it down.
Microbes, predominantly fungi and bacteria, produce an enzyme called cellulase that hydrolyzes the long chains of glucose units in cellulose into simple sugars. This conversion allows the microorganisms to consume the material for energy, recycling the paper back into organic matter. Unbleached and plain tissue made from virgin wood pulp or recycled fiber decomposes quickly due to the accessible nature of its cellulose structure.
Heavily processed papers often have coatings or treatments that interfere with microbial action. While most tissue paper avoids the glossy coatings found on magazines, chemical modification can slow down the natural breakdown. For optimal composting, the paper should be close to its raw cellulose state, ensuring the microbial community can access the carbon without obstruction.
Specific Contaminants That Prevent Composting
While the basic material is compostable, the additives and substances tissue paper encounters during use often make it unsuitable for home compost piles. Oils and lotions added to facial tissues for softness are a common issue. These substances create a hydrophobic barrier on the fibers, which slows moisture absorption and microbial decomposition. Oils and grease, such as those wiped up from a kitchen surface, can also attract pests and disrupt the compost mixture.
Dyes and inks are another concern, particularly in brightly colored napkins or gift tissue. While many modern inks are vegetable-based and safe, heavily saturated dyes or older industrial pigments may contain heavy metals or toxic components. Introducing these materials risks contaminating the finished compost with substances that could be harmful if used on food-producing gardens.
The most important exclusion involves tissues used to manage bodily fluids, such as those used after blowing one’s nose or wiping up blood. These materials can harbor human pathogens, including viruses and bacteria, which pose a health risk in a home composting environment. Since backyard compost piles typically do not reach the sustained high temperatures (131°F or higher) required to reliably kill harmful microorganisms, it is prudent to discard any tissue containing biological waste.
Best Practices for Adding Tissue Paper to Compost
For tissue paper that is clean and free of contaminants, successful integration into the compost pile requires a few techniques. The first step is physical preparation, as tissue paper can easily clump together and create dense, water-resistant layers that inhibit airflow and decomposition. Tearing or shredding the paper into small pieces before adding it increases the surface area, allowing microorganisms to colonize the material more quickly.
Tissue paper is a dry, carbon-heavy material, so it must be balanced with sufficient “green” or nitrogen-rich waste, such as fresh food scraps or grass clippings. Maintaining this carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is necessary to fuel the microbial population responsible for the breakdown. It is also helpful to ensure the paper is adequately moistened when it is added to the pile.
The best method for adding the prepared paper is to mix it thoroughly into the existing compost material, rather than placing it on top. Burying the tissue paper deep within an active pile helps it absorb moisture and places it in the warmest, most microbe-dense section. This strategic placement helps ensure that the cellulose fibers break down efficiently, contributing to a healthy and nutrient-rich finished product.