Lesson Plan for Making Recycled Paper

Episode Three 303 – Green Science (Physical Science)

It is important that we find ways to reduce, reuse, rethink, and recycle our daily materials. Understanding the science of how materials are made and recycled leads to better decisions that are good for the environment. Finding ways to conserve our valuable resources is what Green Science is all about. There are many new ways science is investigating recycling. Making paper out of recycled paper is one way students can have fun and learn a valuable conservation lesson.

Funded by:

Eli Lilly and Company Foundation

Dr. Laura Hare Charitable Trust

Indiana Academy of Science

Overview

Students will gain an understanding of how recycled paper can be used to make new paper. They will make the connection that paper contains fibers from plants and trees. By making their own paper students will recognize the importance of conserving and recycling.

Background information

Most types of paper can be recycled. Newspapers have been recycled profitably for decades, and recycling of other paper is growing. Virgin paper pulp prices have soared in recent years prompting construction of more plants capable of using waste paper. They key to recycling is collecting large quantities of clean, well-sorted, uncontaminated and dry paper. It takes less energy and raw materials to produce recycled paper than to make new paper. Paper is very important to our daily life. The history of paper began in Ancient Egypt over 5000 years ago with the use of papyrus – a plant from the Nile River. The word “paper” comes from the papyrus the Greek name of the plant. Much later parchment was made from the skin of animals. In 105 AD the Chinese are known to have invented the type of paper we use today.

Connections to the Indiana Academic Standards for Science, Grades 3– 7

The following standards contain the grade level, science standard and indicator addressed in this lesson.

2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 5.1.1, 5.1.4

Science Process Skills

  • Calculating
  • Communicating
  • Hypothesizing and predicting
  • Inferring
  • Measuring
  • Posing questions
  • Analyzing

Estimated Time Requirement

One 60- minute session

Materials

  • Paper scraps – various types
  • Food blender
  • Wire whisk
  • Water
  • Shallow bucket or pan
  • Paint tray liner – for paint rollers
  • Food coloring – vegetables for color (beets, lettuce, lemon peel, etc)
  • Corn Starch – five teaspoons per project
  • Measuring cup
  • Cloth towels or newspaper
  • Roller pin – eight inch PVC pipe
  • Screen 8”x10” – can be made from old picture frame, window screen material, and staple gun.
  • Iron or hair dryer

Objectives

Students will be able to:

follow oral directions,

use paper scraps to make recycled paper,

write a recycling statement on their new paper.

Procedure

Anticipatory set:

  • Visit the website:
  • View the Green ScienceIndiana Expeditions segment
  • View the video lesson from the this episode

Lesson sequence:

  • Review with the class the background information and materials on the Paper Fact Sheet. Ask students to read the information and then discus paper recycling in their homes and communities.
  • Tear or cut the used paper into small pieces.
  • Soak the cut paper in warm water for 30 minutes or more. Use between 1 – 2 liters of water. Use a shallow bowl or tray.
  • Stir the mixture.
  • Place the mixture in a food blender. Blend until it is the consistency of mush or mashed potatoes.
  • Add food coloring for fun!
  • Pour the blended pulp mixture back into bowl or tray. Tell the students that pulp is the name of the material from trees, plants, and recycled paper that makes new paper.
  • Add five teaspoons of corn starch. This will act as “glue” for the paper fibers.
  • Stir the material until a smooth mixture is achieved.
  • Pour about 3 centimeters of water into a clean shallow pan or bowl. A paint tray liner works very well for this.
  • Place the screen frame into the shallow pan filled with clean water.
  • Pour one cup of the prepared pulp onto of the screen.
  • Use your fingers to gently smooth out the mixture until it is evenly distributed.
  • Slowly lift up the screen. The pulp will attach to the screen. If the pulp is uneven re-submerge the screen and lift it up again. Allow the excess water to drain back into the bowl.
  • Place a cloth towel or newspaper on the desk.
  • Gently flip the screen/pulp face down on the cloth towel or newspapers. The flip must be quick.
  • Lift the screen away, leaving the paper pulp on the cloth towel or newspapers.
  • Cover with another cloth or newspaper.
  • Use a roller (pvc pipe) to gently roll out additional water.
  • Use a hot iron to evaporate the water. A hair dryer will also work. Or they can be left out over night to air dry. If possible invite parents or other adults to assist with any appliance – food blender, iron, and hair dryer.
  • Once dry, students can use scissors to trim the paper to a usable shape.
  • Ask students to think of a recycling message that they can write on their new paper. Allow time for students to compose their message. Share the messages with the class.

Suggested Student Assessment

Objectives:

Ask students to write and/or illustrate what they did during this activity and what they learned from their participation in the activity. Students will write one recycling statement on the recycled paper they created.

Extending the Lesson

Contact local recycling companies to provide speakers for the class. Ask students to investigate and start a paper drive or recycling program for the school. Invite students to research the history of paper from Ancient Egypt to the present.

Sources of Lesson

This lesson adapted from Angela Loser and Keith Ramsey Bridgeport Elementary School, MSD Wayne Township, and the City of Lubbock Water Utilities Conservation Education Department

406 Municipal Drive Lubbock, Texas 79403

To learn more, visit the website at

Paper Fact Sheet

/ 50% recycled paper,
35% post-consumer.
Soy-based inks.

Most types of paper can be recycled. Newspapers have been recycled profitably for decades, and recycling of other paper is growing. Virgin paper pulp prices have soared in recent years prompting construction of more plants capable of using waste paper. They key to recycling is collecting large quantities of clean, well-sorted, uncontaminated and dry paper.

It is important to know what you are buying in a paper product, for that reason virtually all paper products should be marked with the percentage and type of recycled content, as above. Just saying "recycled paper" is not enough. "Recycled paper" could mean anything from 100% true recycled paper to 1% re-manufactured ends of large paper rolls. "Post-consumer" means the paper that you and I return to recycling centers. From a recycling point of view, the more "post-consumer" paper the better. Soybean-based inks are gaining favor as a renewable alternative to harsh and toxic petrochemical inks.

White Office Paper

One of the highest grades of paper is white office paper. Acceptable are clean white sheets from the likes of laser printers and copy machines. Colored, contaminated, or lower grade paper is not acceptable. The wrappers the paper comes in a lower grade, and not acceptable. Staples are OK. White office paper may be downgraded, and recycled with mixed paper.

Corrugated Cardboard

In areas that don't take cardboard from consumers, one can often drop boxes off at a supermarket or other high volume business. Contaminated cardboard, like greasy pizza boxes, is not acceptable. In some areas cardboard must be free of tape, but staples are always OK.

Newspapers

Newspaper is widely available and of uniform consistency, which makes it valuable. The entire newspaper including inserts is acceptable, except for things like plastic, product samples and rubber bands. Newspapers may be stuffed in large brown grocery sacks, or tied with natural-fiber twine. Other brown paper bags may be mixed with newspaper.

Phone books

Some phone books are made with special glue that breaks down in water, while other phone books use glue that interferes with recycling. Printed in your phone book should be information on the source and type of paper used, the nature of the binding, and where locally phone books can be recycled. Note that many phone companies continue to use virgin rain forest to produce directories. In many communities phone books are only accepted during the time new directories are distributed.

Paper that can't be recycled

Mixed paper is a catch-all for types of paper not specifically mentioned above. Everything you can imagine from magazines to packaging is acceptable. The paper must still be clean, dry, and free of food, most plastic, wax, and other contamination. Staples are OK. Remove plastic wrap, stickers, product samples, and those pointless "membership" cards, and most junk mail can be recycled as mixed paper. Due to new technology, plastic window envelopes and staples are generally OK.

Paper that can't be recycled as normal "mixed paper" includes: food contaminated paper, waxed paper, waxed cardboard milk & juice containers, oil soaked paper, carbon paper, sanitary products or tissues, thermal fax paper, stickers and plastic laminated paper such as fast food wrappers, juice boxes, and pet food bags. Paper with any sort of contamination or plastic layers can't be recycled. Plastic laminated paper is bad for recycling plants; such paper should be clearly marked.