Paper Recycling Activity

 

List of ingredients

  • Pieces of scrap paper
  • 2 wooden frames. Staple window screen tightly over each frame. One frame should be slightly smaller to fit inside the other.
  • 1 plastic tub large enough to hold your screen
  • Kitchen blender      
  • Iron or rolling pin
  • Lots of water
  • Old newspaper
  • Table or flat surface for drying
  • Sponge (optional)

10 Easy Steps

  1. Instruct students to look in the classroom recycling containers for different   types of paper to recycle.
  1. Tear the paper into small pieces and soak it in water for several hours.
  1. Scoop out a small amount of soaked paper and place into the blender. Add water from the soaking tub (4 parts water to 1 part paper). Blend the mixture for approximately 30 seconds.
  1. Place the large screen into your tub and pour the blended paper mix (called pulp) over the screen.  Make sure you add enough water in the tub to cover your screen by about 3 to 4 inches.
  1. Allow the pulp to settle on the screen. Use your hands or a sponge to smooth it evenly over the screen.
  1. Slowly lift the screen out and allow the water to drain back in the tub.
  1. Place the small screen on top of the smooth pulp and press to remove excess moisture.
  1. Place old newspapers on your table for protection. Set the large screen containing your recycled paper on the newspaper. Allow it to dry until the recycled paper is only slightly damp.
  1. Gently peel off the damp, recycled paper. Place it on newspaper or a table to dry overnight.
  2. You can press or flatten the paper by using a rolling pin. You can also use an iron on its lowest setting. Do this until the paper is completely dry.


Fun Variations

Experiment with the amount of water you use. It will vary the thickness of your paper.  More water makes thinner paper; using less water makes thicker paper.

Try using different colors of paper in your pulp, but remember this will change the color of your pulp. Red paper may make pink pulp.

Decorate your paper for different occasions. Add some leaves or dried flowers to make an autumn mix. Be creative!