Not all paper is recycled the same way; some paper requires complex
chemical treatments before it can be made into usable recycled paper. For
this reason, we must not simply recycle our paper, but carefully choose
what kinds of paper to buy in order to minimize environmental waste.
We recycle paper to reduce environmental waste. We cannot solve our
environmental problems, however, by recycling any kind of paper. Not all
paper is created equal. Recycling some types of paper requires bleach to
make it white, and certain bleaching agents are harmful to the environment.
By experimenting with different kinds of paper and bleaching agents, we
can determine what kinds of paper recycle best and are the most environmentally
- Understand the chemical processes involved in recycling paper.
- Recognize the environmental issues in using and recycling different
kinds of paper.
1 & 1/2 hours
Introducing the Concept
Discuss with the students the basic process involved in recycling paper.
Ask them what they think the paper might look like after it is recycled.
Supply them with different kinds of non-recycled paper including regular
writing paper, magazine paper and thick dark construction paper. Ask them
to describe what each of the papers might look like after being recycled.
Next, supply them with various types of recycled paper including white,
off-white and paper containing fibre. (You may even want to provide them
with parts of cereal boxes). Ask them to match the recycled paper with
the paper it came from.
- glossy paper: flyers, magazines
- regular paper: writing paper, scratch pads, envelopes
- pressed dried leaves, flowers or plants (optional)
- bleach (1/4 cup per batch of paper)
- hydrogen peroxide
- water-based food coloring
- wooden screen 20 cm x 25 cm or larger (pre-made by stapling
window-screen material to a wooden picture frame)
- fairly large dishpan for mixing paper pulp
- cut-up old sheets or flat cotton rags (large enough to cover the screen)
- rolling pin
- flat board or glass sheet
Make your own recycled paper, using one of three types of paper.
- Get the students to separate the paper into piles of glossy, regular
and newsprint, and then choose the type of paper they will use for
- Tear the paper into small pieces and place these in the blender with
the water. Let the paper soak for about 10-15 minutes.
- Blend the paper until it’s a smooth pulp.
- Pour about 12 cm pulp into the tub, adding a little water if it is
- Dip the frame into the pulp mixture; holding it level, sift it back
and forth until there is an even layer of pulp about 3 cm thick.
- Lift the frame out of the pan and let the water drain out. If the pulp
clumps together or has holes in it, dip the frame back in the pan and sift
- If the students wish, they can press the leaves or flowers into the
pulp so that they are partially covered and will stay in the paper.
- Lay the piece of cloth over the pulp and frame. Press down gently to
squeeze out excess water.
- Lay a few pieces of newspaper down on a table. Carefully turn the frame
upside down onto the newspaper and lift off the frame. Cover the pulp with
another rag so that the paper is sandwiched between two pieces of cloth.
- Press out water by rolling the cloth sandwich with the rolling pin
until it is quite thin.
- Carefully peel off the top cloth. Place the board or glass sheet on
top of the wet paper and flip it so that the remaining piece of cloth can
be carefully removed.
- The students may repeat the procedure for each person in their group,
so that they can each have their own sheet of recycled paper. They may
want to experiment with dye and stripping agents (food coloring and
bleach) as they proceed.
- Have the groups discuss the recycling process and results with each
- Did they use the same type of paper as another group? If not, were
there any differences in the paper produced?
- This activity can get messy and it requires a lot of space. Plan for
some extra cleanup time.
- With very young students, you may want to oversee the bleaching process.
- When blending the paper and water, make sure there's enough water to
keep the blender from jamming.
Explore the history of paper and its predecessors. You might begin with
the use of stone and wax tablets, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks
of these materials for recording information. Next, investigate the use
of papyrus and eventually paper. If you are interested in discussing current
methods of recording information, you might talk about the electronic highway
and CD ROM technology, and their pros and cons. Have the students write
a story about a school either 2000 years ago or 2000 years in the future
and the kinds of school supplies students would use there.
The Hidden Jewels of Geometry
This activity copied from APASE of Vancouver, Canada, which
has regrettably disappeared from the Web.