Recycling Paper,
The Old Fashioned Way!

  1. Introduction
  2. Objectives
  3. Tools and Equipment
  4. Procedure

Introduction

Paper is made from trees. Trees are one of our most valuable natural resoures. They provide us with paper, oxygen, in some cases syrup, and a place to put our presents at Christmas. However, this important resource could be gone one day very soon unless something is done. Recycling paper is one safe and fun way to help save trees and the environment.
At the turn of the century, no one had the means of transportation, like we do today, to get up and go to the store. Sometimes, families did not get to go for weeks at a time. During that period of time, if you ran out of something you just had to wait until the next trip. However, with paper you could just reuse it over and over agian by recycling.

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Objectives

In this lab, you will learn how to recycle your own paper like people did almost 100 years ago. You will be able to use this technique in your own home. You will see the process in which paper is broken down, processed, and then produced back into a piece of paper.

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Tools and Equipment

  • 1 newspaper sheet (or some dryer lint) per lab group
  • 2 sheets of wax paper per lab group
  • 1 cup of water per lab group
  • 1 iron
  • 1 mixing bowl per lab group
  • 1 food processor/blender
  • 1 strainer
  • 1/2 measuring cup
* If children are allowed to use the iron, they may need to wear oven mits.

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Procedure

  1. Take your newspaper sheet and tear it into small pieces.
  2. Place the pieces into the mixing bowl.
  3. Pour water into the mixing bowl; saturating the pieces thoroughly.
  4. Mix the pieces in the bowl with hands to make sure everyone of them is saturated.
  5. After 5 minutes, pour the paper mixture into the food processor/blender. Blend on high speed for 3 minutes or until the paper mixture looks like apple sauce.
  6. Preheat iron on the cotton setting.
  7. Place the mixture into your strainer, pressing with your hands, so that most of the water is removed.
  8. Place 1/2 cup of paper mixture on one sheet of wax paper and spread out evenly (you may need to use a rolling pin).
  9. Place the other sheet of wax paper over the top of the paper mixture.
  10. Iron over the top wax paper (or on both sides, if desired) until dry. (Don't forget the oven mits).
  11. Peel off the wax paper.
Now you have your own piece of recycled paper.

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See attached worksheets for more recycling fun.
Information gathered and organized by Erin Reed.