As homeowners and gardeners, many of us are continuously looking for ways to reduce the amount of waste we put into landfills, increasing our sustainability. We build compost piles in our yards to cut down on the amount of food waste we dispose and recycle plastics, metal cans, glass bottles and jars, and as much paper as possible. Other than adding old newspapers to our recycling bins, there are many useful ways to incorporate them into the garden.

There is some debate over whether or not it’s safe to add newspaper to your garden because of the ink used in the printing process. Rest assured, it’s okay to go ahead and implement some of the following uses. The majority of newspapers today are printed using a soy-based ink that is environmentally friendly.

Raised bed gardening is popping up in backyards all over because of its numerous advantages ranging from increased yields to easy gardening access for people with mobility issues. When constructing raised beds, line the bottom of the structure with layers of newspaper to keep weeds from growing up through the garden soil underneath.

Adding a layer of mulch – whether it be pine needles, grass clippings, or commercial bark mulch – is an effective way to retain soil moisture and insulate the soil to keep plants thriving. It also helps to prevent weeds from coming up, competing with your plants for sunlight, water, and nutrients. To reduce weeds even further spread a layer of newspaper down on the soil surface before adding your desired mulch.