it no big deal it will compost fine if shredded.

Yes, the paper will compost. But my question is what is special about the print and is it safe to put on your food plants? Hubby, to demonstrate the evil nature of laser printed documents, has been soaking a couple different ripped up pages in water for a few days. The paper is getting weaker of course, but the print is 100% perfect, completely legible, so smearing or lightening. That does seem a little sinister to me, how well the print stays bonded to the paper. So what is it made from, this isn't just normal soy ink here. Hubby says what is in toner cartridges for laser printers isn't safe to compost, but I was hoping they have changed since he knew about them. Does anybody know anything about this?

Thanks,
Marcia

Not that composting this will cause any noticeable issues, but I go with the shred/recycle route. Some of the Soy Inks have a very small amount of actual soy in them. The requirement to be labeled "soy" is low.... 7%. So a large percentage of the "soy ink" is petroleum based.

Do a search for chemicals used in paper processing. I wouldn't use it in my garden. Mind blowing info.

Chemicals used in paper processing:

Common NameChemical NameChemical FormulaUsed ForSpecific DensityOther CharacteristicsAgalite or TalcSilicate of MagnesiaMgO-32%, SiO2-62%It gives paper a greasy or soapy feel. and enables it to take a high finish.2.6 - 2.8A natural fibrous form of talc, gray in color.AKDAlkyl Ketene Dimer

Sizing

AlumSulfate of AluminaAl2(SO4)3.18H2OFor alkaline sizing along with Rosin1.62

AlbarineNatural Sulfate of LimeCaSO4.2H2O - 100%A calcium salt that is used for a variety of purposes including: building materials.2.4

Ammonium Zirconium Carbonate(AZC)Ammonium Zirconium CarbonateCH2O3NH3ZrUsed as in-solubilizer, crosslinker & hardener1.36AZC is a clear, usually colorless solution, having an odor of ammonia and a pH of approximately 9.5. As a carbonate, it will react with acids, and so should not be used in coating systems below pH 7. In storage, it is stable for up to six months.AnthraquinoneAnthraquinoneC14H8O2Added to white liquor (alkaline cooking liquor) to improve pulp yield and to increase the rate of delignification.1.44yellow crystalline powderAnti-Foam/Defoamer

To prevent foam (anti-foam) or to destroy it once it has formed (defoamer).

Surface active, but highly insoluble in water.AsbestineSilicate of MagnesiaMgO-32%, SiO2-62%It is used as a loading agent in paper manufacture, particularly for blotting papers and board.2.6 - 2.8A mineral compound of almost pure fibrous magnesium silicate, which possesses physical characteristics between those of talc and asbestos.APEAlkylphenol EthoxylatesCH3(CH2)n(C6H4) (OCH2CH2)m-OHUsed as cleaning agents or surfactants

ASAAlkenyl Succinic Anhydride

Sizing

Barium SulfateBarium SulfateBaSO4 - 100%Used as a pigment4.2-4.5White insoluble powder.BarytesBarium SulfateBaSO4 - 100%Used as filler4.2-4.5

Blanc FixeBarium SulfateBaSO4 - 100%Used as a base for watercolor pigments and as a filler in paper.4.2-4.5Powdered barium sulfateCaseinA milk phosphoprotein Binder or adhesive in coating formulation CMCCarboxy Methyl Cellulose

Sizing

Caustic Lye or Caustic Soda or LyeSodium HydroxideNaOHPulping and to maintain pH

Chalk (Precipitated)Precipitated Calcium CarbonateCaCO3 - 100%Filler particularly with acidic sizing coating pigment2.7-2.9High Brightness & OpacityChalk (French or Spanish)Silicate of Magnesia4MgO+5SiO2+H2O; MgO - 33%; SiO262%

2.6-2.9A soft white compact talcChina Clay, KaolinHydrated Silicate of AluminaAl2O3-40%; SiO2-46%; H2O-13%Filler, Coating2.4-2.7

Chlorine DioxideChlorine DioxideClO2In Pulp Bleaching2.86

Chlorine GasChlorineCl2In Pulp Bleaching and water treatment2.86

DolomiteCalcium Magnesium CarbonateCaMg(CO3)2Filler, Coating2.86

DTPADiethylene Triamine Penta Acetate

Used for chelation (removal of transition metals from pulp).

EDTAEthylene Diamine Tetra acetic Acid

Used for chelation (removal of transition metals from pulp).

Guar GumNatural Polymer

Dry Strength Additive

cationic derivativeGypsum or Mineral White or PlasterNatural Sulfate of LimeCaSO4.2H2OGypsum board,2.4

Hydrogen PeroxideHydrogen PeroxideH2O2In Pulp Bleaching3.13-3.4

LimeCalcium OxideCaOAlkaline Pulping Process Chemical Recovery, Bleaching3.13-3.4

Lime StoneCalcium CarbonateCaCO3To make Lime Precipitated CaCO3 is used as Filler and in Coating

MagnesiteMagnesium CarbonateMgCO3 -100%

2.5

OxygenOxygenO2In Pulp Bleaching

OzoneOzoneO3In Pulp Bleaching

RosinAbietic AcidC19H29COOHSizing

Rosin SoapSodium AbietateC19H29COONaSizing

Salt CakeSodium SulfateNa2SO4. 10H2OMakeup chemical in sulfate pulping chemical recovery (Na2SO4. --- Na2S)2.4

Soda AshSodium CarbonateNa2CO3Makeup chemical in alkaline pulping chemical recovery (Na2CO3 +Ca(OH)2 ---2NaOH+CaCO3)2.43-2.51

Sodium DithioniteSodium HydrosulfiteNa2 O4 S2Bleaching2.20White crystalline powder with weak sulforous odorSodium SilicateSodium SilicateNa2SiO3In waste paper deinking for wetting, peptization, ink dispersion, peroxide stabilization.

Starch.Comprised of glucose units linked together by oxygen bridges called glycosidesWet and dry end additive

SulfurSulfurSTo make HSO3 for bi-sulfite pulping

TitaniaTitanium DioxideTiO2Filler to increase the opacity and brightness of paper. Used in coating also.3.84-4.26