Shredded paper in compost piles

Does anyone have experience putting shredded paper in compost piles? Somewhere I remember reading that this was a good idea. If you've had experience, did you add it to your kitchen compost (in composting container) or to leaves, etc collected around the yard (just a pile in an open enclosure)?

I have used newspaper in two ways - one was successful and one made a mess. When I made a new flowerbed, I tried laying newspaper pages flat right on the grass and piling leaves, grass and garden refuse on top of it. It took about two years to turn into dirt. That was ok. Patience is a wonderful alternative to digging. Anyway, the dirt was beautiful - but the paper underneath it turned to cement. I had to clear it all away to be able to plant anything.

I do put shredded newspaper in my mulch pile and it works fine. I have heard that you shouldn't use shiny paper. You can shred mail, minus the window in the envelope, too. Or used printer paper. It all decomposes. The key, I think, is shred it and spread it out.

I use shredded newspaper all during the winter months in my compost pile when I don't have any leaves left or any browns available.
I just sprinkle the paper over the pile along with some kitchen scraps and lightly toss the top of the pile, then water it well. It breaks down nicely, as long as it's not matted down.

Donna

Just chiming in that it works for me too. Early last year I was struggling with my compost. Using accelerators because I did not have enough brown. Brook told me to use shredded newspaper. I had finished compost in about 10 weeks. But remember, it had already been decomposing for a time before that. I have a compost tumbler.

HoneyGirl, how many layers of newspaper did you use at the edge of your lawn. I used 6 to 8 or more layers between the rows of my seedling daylilies to keep the weeds down, covered with hay or dirt or compost, maybe a couple or less inches of dirt or compost. In two years or so all had decomposed into the soil. I've done that several times and been happy with the results. I also have a paper shredder and use the shreds in my compost. Donna

Since I posted the question, I've gone on Google and seached. There are a lot of articles but the basic message is to use paper as a "brown" and to wet it and squeeze out excess water before applying.
gffgro

it depends on what you are shredding.

most stuff you shred from your puter is NOT acceptable for compost.

newspaper is different. It depends on what you are shredding. did you get one for Christmas? We did too.

No, I have the shredder for work. Most of what I have shredded is old white paper from someone printing from the computer. Is this ok to use?