Recent legislation requires counties to reduce the amount of material being placed in landfills. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency statistics show that newspaper accounts for 6 percent of the solid waste stream in landfills. Developing ways to permanently divert newspaper from landfill disposal can lower this figure. In an Ohio State University study, the absorbency of conventional beddings and newsprint were compared. Chopped and shredded paper were used to determine which size provided greatest absorption.
Newspaper is two to three times more absorbent than all other conventional beddings.
One major concern for livestock producers and consumers is the safety of livestock bedded on newspaper containing inks. Until 10 years ago, lead, cadmium and other toxic heavy metals were commonly used in paper inks. Now, however, most publishers use organic pigments. Most of these pigments are the same as those used in tattoos, lipstick, hair coloring and other cosmetics. Soy inks are derived from soybeans, one of Ohio's largest cash crops.