09/12/1997

Newspaper Benefitting the Environment, Enhancing Landscapes

AUBURN, Ala. - Old newspapers not only are useful for house-breaking puppies and lining bird cages, they also are great for enhancing and protecting the environment, according to researchers at Auburn University.

Jim Edwards, a U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist and an adjunct professor of agronomy and soils at Auburn, is heading research projects focused on using old newspapers to enhance agricultural production. His studies are showing that there are myriad uses for these papers, all of which can help the environment.

Edwards' research, which is supported by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES), began in 1990 shortly after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued mandates requiring a gradual reduction of the disposal of organic wastes in landfills.

"Newspapers are a large part of that organic waste," said Edwards. "They take a long time to break down in landfills and they take up a lot of space while they are decomposing. But they have many beneficial uses outside of landfills, so we began looking at ways to use them in agricultural settings."

Edwards' initial studies focused on applying shredded newspapers in and around row crops, such as cotton and corn, as a way to enhance soil properties and crop production. Those studies showed that incorporating shredded newspaper into soil improves soil organic matter, conserves moisture in the soil and provides control of certain weeds in some row crops. No adverse environmental impacts were observed from using the recycled papers.

Unfortunately, it's not yet economically feasible to use recycled newspapers on a large agronomic scale. However, for smaller scale, higher value agricultural enterprises, such as container nursery production and landscaping, use of recycled newspaper is viable.

Dee Smith, a graduate research assistant in AU's Department of Horticulture who just earned her master's degree under the guidance of AU Horticulture Professor Charles Gilliam, has helped Edwards evaluate the use of processed newspaper mulches in horticultural settings. Her studies have shown that these products are highly effective in controlling weeds and reducing herbicide runoff.

Smith's research evaluated the effectiveness of two types of processed newspapers - pellets and crumbles - that are manufactured by Tascon, a Texas company. One study focused on the use of these products in container-grown nursery plants.

"In most nurseries, granular herbicides are broadcast over the plants in the greenhouses and, thus, spread over a large area. Anything that falls between pots can be washed away, and that can be detrimental to water quality," explained Smith. "We have been looking at using the newspaper mulches in the containers as an alternative to herbicides, which would eliminate the runoff problem."

For the container study, Smith used both the pellets and crumbles in pots of woody bedding plants and compared the products' weed controlling aptitudes to traditional herbicides and mulches. She found that placing pellets an inch deep in the pots provided weed suppression equal to or better than standard mulches or herbicides.

The study indicated that some annual plants may have a slight reaction to the aluminum contained in the newspaper mulches (inherent to the manufacturing process of paper), so additional chemical treatment may be needed to counteract that problem. Future studies will help refine management practices needed for using newspaper mulches in container nurseries.

Another of Smith's studies looked at using the newspaper mulches in landscape settings. "In the landscape, there's not a big problem with herbicide runoff, but mulches can help conserve water, control weeds and make the landscaper look nicer," she said. Through the landscape studies, Smith found that the newspaper products, especially the pelleted version, provided superior weed control and absorbed and retained about three times their weight in water, thus conserving water around the plants.

Though the mulches appear to be effective, getting consumers to buy the mulches may be a different matter. "Since the main purpose for using mulches in a landscape is to make the area look neat, perceived appearance is important in the marketability of the mulch," Smith noted. As part of her landscape study, she conducted a blind consumer survey comparing various colors (rust, brown and gray) of the crumble and pellet newspaper mulches to traditional mulches, such as pine bark and pine straw.

Results of the survey indicated that consumers have a strong preference for traditional mulches, but they would consider using the newspaper mulches. Consumers in the study preferred the rust colored crumbles to the other newspaper mulches.

"Our study indicates that a marketing strategy would be needed to help overcome the preference consumers have for traditional mulches," Smith said.

Smith and Edwards also have taken their studies to new proving ground - the campus of the University of South Alabama (USA) in Mobile. Landscapers at USA are using Tascon's mulches in small islands within USA's main traffic circle. These islands are difficult to maintain and access because traffic is constantly flowing around them. USA groundskeepers came to Edwards in search of a low-maintenance mulch option. Various forms of the newspaper mulch were applied to the islands earlier this summer, and the results are pleasing.

"The mulches are located in a high-visibility area of the campus," said a spokeswoman for USA's Grounds Department.

"The mulches have cut down on the weeds significantly, which is a major problem for us even in the most accessible beds," added Andy Lindsey, landscape director for USA. "The material is staying in place better than the pine barks we have used and it sure got a test with Hurricane Danny's 18-19 inches of rain this summer."

Lindsey noted that, if the newspaper mulches are as affordable as pine bark mulches, they plan to use more and more of it on the USA campus.

Though only time will tell if these mulches become part of everyday landscapes, results of these studies indicate that they have real potential. Edwards will continue to conduct research on the uses of such products, including exploring the use of them as bioremediation agents and as bedding material for poultry and livestock. Results of these studies may help lengthen the lives of the nation's landfills while also making this a more beautiful, productive world.

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
Contact Katie Jackson, 334-844-5886 or smithcl@auburn.edu

09/12/97