At one time, there were concerns about the use of newspaper as a weed barrier in the garden and landscape. However, nearly all the black-and-white sections of newspapers are now printed using soy-based inks, so the threat of heavy metal contamination no longer exists. Avoid use of slick advertising inserts, however. Newspaper works great as a weed barrier. Lay several sheets (or a small section) down on your garden paths, and apply a thick layer of mulch on top. In windy locations, use landscaping staples to anchor the paper in place. The newspaper will prevent weeds from sprouting and will slowly break down to add organic matter to the soil.

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