Question
hi, im not sure if your the one to ask, but recently i have been coming up with different ways to recycle the paper we use at work, most of it is copy and printer paper that has been printed on, i started making new recycled paper out of it by shredding it and mixing it with water and then using a screen to make the paper, i started making molds out of different things, and came up with the idea of making a planter mold so that you could put the seeds in the paper planter and when they start to grow just put the whole thing in the ground and it would break down in the ground, i know people are doing this with newspaper, but i was wondering if broken down used office paper would be environmentally safe for the ground if i were to mold it into a biodegradable planter, thank you

Answer
Hi Jason, I see no problem with it.  Generally, the ink is considered not hazardous to the environment.  Make sure the pot wall is not too thick to biodegrade quickly for the seedling.  It should break down before the roots have time to encircle the pot.  I use paper egg cartons for the same thing.  I cut them apart when I'm ready to plant and rip the bottom out just to be safe.  Jim