The only paper I would be concerned about would be the slick magazine type paper. The normal paper composts fine. Al

And, there's not going to be a problem with the inks?

Most inks used in the US are now soy-based due to concerns for worker safety in working with the inks.

If it's not printed in China it should be okay.

One of the wonders of the compost pile is the ability of the microbes living there to digest and convert otherwise negative materials and chemicals into benign or beneficial garden material. Al

The first bag of shredded paper has officially gone into the compost bin. I look forward to having even more compost than before.

Thanks to all for your ever useful advice.

(Al, a late thank you for advising me to move the Matilija Poppies to sandier ground. Thay have taken over just as you said they would, but I'm willing to deal with that.)

It's your pile. You can omit anything that makes you uncomfortable.

I wouldn't want too much chlorine in my pile, but less that 5% shredded, bleached writing paper is fine. B&W newsprint is typically unbleached and with soy inks, so no problem. The colored ads can have trace metal pigments, but aren't a huge issue. Glossy paper is inundated with fine clays and is treated more heavily with chemicals to break down the lignin content, so they decompose slowly, but are fine if burnt and reduced to ash, then added to the compost.

I can do ashes too.

i compost all my newspapers and shredded records except for the glossy pages. Worms love them. however they love cardboard more!