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 woodpulp in acid. Not a pretty picture because cutting down trees is not good for the planet.

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. Why don’t you try it!

RECIPE

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

You’re going to first make the frames that you’ll use to make paper with. You’ll use the stuff you gathered in the What You Need section.

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. Tben leave it on for 2 whole minutes.

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

Mix up the sink water again and then scoop the frame to the botoom 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.