Recycling Drywall Scraps

[hotinhawaii]

I often have drywall scraps left over after construction. I know of someone who laid them on his land then put dirt over them. They completely broke down after a year and are now amendments to the soil. Regular 1/2" drywall contains only gypsum, recycled paper and starch.

I found this guide from the state of Wisconsin to using drywall as a soil additive. http://www.wastecapwi.org/documents/BMP_..._final.pdf

It seems we could save a lot of space in our crowded landfill by using our own drywall scraps to make soil.

Has anyone else been doing this? What do you think?

[jerry]

I've put drywall scraps around our bananas. Also cardboard and various other things. Looks ugly and takes a while to decompose, if that is an issue with you. I don't know if it did any good, but it also didn't seem to do anything bad.

Jerry
Art and Orchids B&B
http://www.artandorchids.com

[Radiopeg]

quote:

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Originally posted by hotinhawaii

Regular 1/2" drywall contains only gypsum, recycled paper and starch.

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My horticulture instructor always called gypsum "the aspirin of the plant world". Sounds like this is a good idea.

Life goes on, with you or without you.