Composting

• Torn or shredded brown paper bags can be mixed with other organic materials to create a mulch pile. As the compost pile decomposes, it forms a nutritious material called humus.
  
  

Ratios

• Effective compost piles include one part green material (grass, fruits and vegetables) and two to three parts brown materials (paper bags, newspapers and cardboard).
  
  

Paper Bags

• Paper bags allow air to penetrate the compost pile and increase water drainage. This reduces odors and decreases composting time. Stirring the pile increases these benefits.
  
  

Benefits

• Composting decreases the amount of waste in landfills. It also provides a nutritious soil additive for lawns and gardens, and can be used as mulch around plants.
  
  

Weed Barrier

• Paper bags can also prevent weed growth. Gardeners can cut the bags in half, lay the flat brown paper over the bare areas of the garden, and place mulch on top. Weeds cannot easily penetrate the bags.