It would depend on where the paper comes from, I would think. My bank had inquired as to whether we could use their shreddings but the industrial sized shredders invite smaller hardware inspite of signs and tutorials about shredding and the appropriate materials to be shredded or not. Banks are a good source but for the potential staple/metal count as would any other "paper" business. From newsprint I would be concerned about the ink.
If there was a source of "clean" paper around here, I would consider it. Paper is pretty biodegradable. And there sure seems to be plenty of it!
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"....there is no normal life, Wyatt, there's just life..."
I took a course with a lady who shredded her own paper and mixed it with shavings for bedding. She worked for a large company and went through the task of removing the staples from the paper (just cutting them out, quicker then pulling them out) and then shredding the paper at home during her down time. I believe she said the ink that they used at work was non-toxic and none of the paper had heavy ink on it. She only had one horse, so her "plan" was feasible to her situation. Her main reasons for using shredded paper were: hard to find shavings, and the cost of having manure piles removed.
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Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. - John Wayne
thanks for the info Nikki. Paper will compost faster so its way more practical as well. I think it also creates less dust.... Now off to find out about non toxic ink!
I've only come across shredded paper bedding at the Harrisburg standardbred yearling sale in the states. I dont enjoy working with it much - the stuff they get in is surprisingly dusty when you are spreading it - which often requires doing it by hand because its all packed together, and its really heavy when wet. But I'm sure much varies by the product you get.
I am not sure where you are located but i have a great product that i use and sell - Paper Shavings Animal Bedding. I have been using this bedding for 3 years now and LOVE IT ! so much so that i became the dealer for my state - Michigan. It is good for ALL animals big or small. Karen