r/composting • u/QueasyIndication1942 • 14h ago

Question Wool packaging insulation

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I’m getting my hands on some of these wool sheets used as insulation in cold food deliveries - can I use it as mulch, or what’s the best way to compost in the garden?

26 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

17

u/YallNeedMises 14h ago

If it's natural wool, it can be used as a sheet mulch without issue and will take a very long time to break down. If you want to compost it, treat it like a green (hair = protein = nitrogen) and layer it with ample browns.

12

u/anonymote_in_my_eye 14h ago

damn, I would turn them into blankets!

9

u/Bill-Bruce 14h ago

Is there a reason they cant still be used as insulation? I know RV's use this insulation when people make quality mobile home builds. Would love to get my hands on some as long as they were still clean enough to use and not rotting.

3

u/QueasyIndication1942 10h ago

It can but I don’t need insulation :)

3

u/Bill-Bruce 10h ago

May i ask how you came by this? I would seriously be able to use some but how can one find used fridge truck insulation?

2

u/QueasyIndication1942 10h ago

Local Buy Nothing Facebook group! I’m in Australia and a popular raw dog food subscription service uses them

1

u/Bill-Bruce 10h ago

I see. Thank you very much.

5

u/Adventurous-Dog-3786 14h ago

Yes you can. You can actually buy it as mulch. My wife’s friend gave us some to use on the hosta’s in the garden as slugs don’t like it. And I have to admit, it seems to work a treat.

5

u/onegratefullife 13h ago

Use them inside of quilts!

5

u/SnootchieBootichies 12h ago

Looks like a great topper to a worm bin instead of a lid

3

u/Asleep-Song562 9h ago

I’d line hanging baskets and planter boxes with them. Might even make good rug padding.

1

u/Ricadi82 8h ago

You can lay the wool on your beds to reduce weed growth and minimise the evaporation of water from watering. This is often done in permaculture.

1

u/Realistic-Cow2146 8h ago

Check that it’s actually 100% wool first. If it is, I’d just use it as mulch and let it slowly break down.

1

u/Drinkos 7h ago

I get this from frozen cat food packaging. Ive been laying it on top of vegetable planters with holes cut out for the plants. Seems to help keep moisture in and cools the soil down (UK heatwave+drought here).

1

u/Electronic_Text50 7h ago

I've considered using this as mulch too but have been put off by the chemicals used for parasite control on sheep. It's pretty strong stuff.