How to Make Recycled Paper

It is easy and fun to make recycled paper at home or school. Either on your own or as a group, simply follow the ten steps below.

1. Preparation
First, assemble the materials on a table, preferably near a sink and an electrical outlet. Make sure you have:

• A large bowl 
• Five or six sheets of waste paper 
• Water 
• A mixer or food processor 
• Two wooden frames approximately 20 cm by 20 cm each 
• A nylon screen 
• A stapler 
• A large pan (dishpan for instance) 
• Two cloths
• An iron

The five or six sheets of waste paper provide the fibres needed for your recipe. Note that unprinted paper is preferable. However, you can also use newsprint, envelopes, writing paper or other types of paper. You can also add potato or carrot peel since they are sources of vegetable fibre just like trees, the most common source of material for making paper. Only a small amount should be used because vegetable fibres are shorter than those of wood or waste paper. If too much is used, you might end up with mush rather than paper.

2. Soaking
With all the ingredients in hand, you can begin making paper. Start by shredding the paper into small 2 cm squares and putting them into the bowl with hot water. Let soak for half an hour.

3. Making the Mould
While the paper is soaking, make the mould. Staple the screen to one of the frames, making sure that it is taut. The other frame does not need a screen because it will serve as a border for the paper.

4. Pulp
Place a handful of soaked paper in the mixer bowl or food processor half filled with water. Mix at half speed until smooth (if this is difficult to do, remove some of the paper).

• At this point, you can also add small quantities of vegetables or plants (carrot or potato peel) to the pulp. In this case, mix until the mixture is uniform.
• To add colour to the paper, add non-toxic fabric dye to the mixture.

5. The Mixture in the Pan
Pour the warm water into the pan until it is half full. Then, pour the pulp (Step 4) into the pan until the mixture resembles thick soup.The thicker the mixture, the thicker your paper will be.

6. Dipping into the Pan...
Take the frame, screen side up, and place the border frame on top. Hold both frames firmly and dip into the pan, picking up some of the pulp. Remove slowly, shaking from side to side to distribute the pulp evenly. Place the frames horizontally and let it drip dry.

7. The Half Turn
This is the most delicate step. You must remove the paper from the mould. Place the mould next to the pan, remove the frame underneath and spread a clean cloth on the table. Then, quickly turn the mould over onto the cloth. If you find it difficult to turn over without breaking the paper, handle it as though it were a cake. Put the cloth on the mould and place a board on top. Then, turn your "three-layer cake" over (mould, cloth and board).

8. Damp Sheet
Sponge off the excess water behind the screen and carefully remove the mould. The damp paper should stay on the cloth.

9. Ironing
Place another cloth on top. Dry the paper by ironing firmly. Remove the cloth ... and there you have it, recycled paper.

10. One Last Hint
When you are through, put the rest of the pulp through the screen. Do not pour the pulp into the sink or toilet because the pulp could block the drain. You can throw away the screened pulp or keep it in the freezer, in a plastic bag, for later use.

An Original Touch
Once you have mastered the basics, you can experiment with water marks. At the Step 3, using a fine string or metallic wire, draw your signature or any other shape. At Step 6, place the flat form on the screen before collecting the pulp in the pan. When the sheet of paper is draining, the shape will create an effect on the damp pulp. At Step 8, before removing the mould, remove the string or the wire. At the Step 9, when your sheet of paper is dry, hold it up to the light and admire your handiwork.

source:Québec Forest Industries Association