You Can Make Paper

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YOU CAN MAKE PAPER
(This screen graciously submitted by Jok R. Church of beakman.com)

Recycled Paper
Question: What is paper made out of? How do you recycle it?

Answer:
Paper is made from cellulose (SELL-u-los), which is in plant fibers. The cellulose is made by cutting down trees and then grinding up trees and dumping the wood pulp in acid. Not a pretty picture.

But recycling uses cellulose over and over again. Recycled paper can be made with less electricity, with less water, with a lot less pollution, and it saves trees from being cut down.

Making recycled paper yourself is also lots of fun. People ask for reprints of this comic a lot. So share it with people on the net!

A Step-By-Step Procedure

First, some information:
Making recycled paper is messy. It is also a lot of fun. Someone will have to use a food processor and an electric iron. Both can be dangerous. So make sure that you get help on today's project because it is a big one. It is best to do this with some friends and family. That way you can spread the mess and the fun around.

WHAT YOU NEED:
2 full newspaper pages torn into 2-inch squares - food processor - 2 tablespoons white glue - 2 or 3 cups water - sink with 4 inches water - old panty hose - coat hangers - electric iron
OPTIONAL: insect screen - strainer - food coloring - dryer lint

STEP #1
Undo the coat hanger and use the wire to make a flat square about 6 by 6 inches big. Stretch one leg of the panty hose over it. Take your time; it could snag. If you put tape on the ends of the wire, it will snag less. Make sure it is tight and flat.

Tie knots in the hose. Use the other leg for another piece of paper. You will need one frame for every piece of paper you make. You might want to make more than one or two.

STEP #2
Put a handful of the paper and some water into the food processor. Close the food processor and turn it on high. Keep adding paper and water until you have a big gray blob. You may have to add a little more water to keep things moving smoothly. Keep the food processor on until all the paper has disappeared. Then leave it on for 2 whole minutes. (If your TV is on, the picture will scramble up.)

Put the glue in the sink water and add all of the paper pulp you just made. Mix it really well. Use your hands.

Mix up the sink water again and then scoop the frame to the bottom of the sink. Lift it real slow. Count to 20 slowly while you are lifting. Let the water drain out for about a minute. Mix up the sink every time you make a new piece.

STEP #3
Try other things like the screen or a strainer. Try adding lots of food coloring, or lint, or leaves, to the food processor.

Now you have to hang the frames on a clothesline or put them out in the sun. Wait until they are completely dry with no dampness at all. You Can then gently peel off the paper.

Have a grown-up use the iron - set on the hottest setting - to steam out your paper. You Can keep making paper until the pulp is all strained out of the sink. See how strong your paper is. Trim it with scissors. Write on it. It is strong. We'd love it if you sent us a letter on recycled paper you made yourself!

P.S. from Beakman: Don't be fooled. When a bag or a box says that it is 100% recyclable that means that you can recycle it. It does not mean that it is made out of recycled paper.

Jok Church - jok@nbn.com

http://www.beakman.com