How to Make and Recycle Paper

We all know that recycling paper is one way of reducing our ecological footprint by lowering the total amount of waste we produce. However, many people don't know how paper is actually recycled, or even how much of the items they put out in recycling bins actually gets recycled. In this article I will explain how easy it is to make paper using a very simple process that utilizes tools readily available in the market or even at home. It's fun, straight-forward and you help protect the environment by recycling your own paper!

Items needed:
- 2 *identical* picture frames. Get rid of the glass/acrylic sheet and only use the frame itself
- some sort of mesh, something like what is used on windows to keep the bugs out. You can get a fiberglass roll of this stuff for $7 at any hardware store (e.g. the Home Depot) and it works great
- duct tape
- nails and/or stapler
- hammer
- large tub that can fit both frames (one on top of the other) horizontally
- pestle and mortar or blender to mash up the paper to form a pulp
- old wool/acrylic/polyester blanket that can be cut up
- spray bottle
- sponge
- manual press or lots of books to press the paper down and squeeze water from the paper pulp
- paper (preferably used computer paper, as newspaper will give you bad quality recycled paper)
- something to cover your work space because this can get messy ;)

The picture below is just for the icon for this step. This picture is in context on step 5.

Step 1: Making the Frame!

Alright, so the first thing we need to make is the frame with the mesh. This will be used to scoop up the pulp in the tub, ultimately forming the paper. This meshed frame is called "mold".

To do this, get one of the frames and put it on a table, with the smooth side facing up (the side without the grooves where you attach the back of the picture frame). Get your mesh/netting and put it on top of the picture frame. Cut up a piece that roughly matches the size of the picture frame.

Align the mesh so that it covers the whole picture frame, then nail it down. Make sure the net is *straight*, if it's wrinkly it won't work properly. I used a stapler because it's easier. If you use a normal stapler, slowly staple the mesh down to avoid bending the staples.

After the net is in place, hammer down the nails/staples to make sure they are "in" the wood, you don't want any spiky nails or staples sticking out.

(see pic)

Cut out any extra mesh you have (whatever is not on top of the frame) and duct tape the sides of the frames. Do not go over the "middle" of the frame, only tape the sides.

(see pics)

Your mold is now ready. The other frame remains unnetted, and is called the "deckle".

Now cut out the blanket in pieces that cover one of the frames entirely. After you've done that, it's time to shred paper.

(see pic)

Step 2: Making Paper Pulp!

It's better to leave the shredded paper in water overnight so that it breaks down more easily, but you can do it without that. Put some shredded paper in a blender, add water (more water than paper) and blend it all together. You can do this manually using a pestle and mortar.

(see pic)

When you don't see any clumps of paper or unshredded paper, you can stop blending it. You now have paper pulp.

Dump this paper pulp into the large tub and add water so that it covers the mold and deckle (one on top of the other) horizontally.

(see pic)

Step 3: Pulp to Paper

Before you dip the mold and deckle in the tub, spray one of the blanket pieces with water, this will make transferring the paper pulp to the blanket easier.

(see pic)

After that, dip the frames in the tub. Note that the mold goes at the bottom, with the netted side facing up, and the deckle goes on top of it, smooth side facing down. If you don't use the two frames like this, you will probably not be able to remove the paper from the picture frame. It all makes sense when you do it yourself.

(see pic)

Rock the frames in the tub and make sure that the pulp is evenly distributed. When the mixture in the water is homogeneous, quickly lift up both frames. The pulp will get stuck to the mold. Let it drip for about 10 seconds and remove the deckle. You will notice that there is no pulp where the deckle was.

(see pic)

Step 4: Frame to Blanket

Align one side of the mold (pulp facing the blanket) with the blanket and slowly lower the picture frame until it lays flat.

(see pic)

Once the mold is flat on the blanket (pulp facing down), get a sponge and press it down on the net to suck up as much water as you can from the pulp.

(see pic)

After that, slowly lift up the mold. The paper pulp will remain attached to the blanket, and you can now reuse your frame.


(see pic)

Step 5: Making More Paper!

Lay another blanket on top of the one you were just working on and press it down to squeeze as much water out of it as you can. I don't have a press, so I use a bunch of heavy books (that's where a lot of my university investments went to, to use books to press paper :( )

(see pic)

If you keep making paper, you will eventually need to add pulp to the tub. Add pulp as you need it, and pile the newly made sheets on top of each other. Once you are done, put the books on top of the whole pile and let them sit for a while.

After a couple of hours, remove the books and lay the blankets with the paper pulp one by one to dry. It takes a while to dry, so be patient (about 1 day).

(see pic)

Step 6: Conclusion!

Once dry, peel the paper off the blanket. You will notice that the paper is wavy. To straighten it, put it in a thick book or in a phone book and press it down with more books. Leave it there for a few hours and you'll have some nicely home made paper to write on, print on, and make all sorts of crafts!

I use paper recycled this way with my photography to make nice greetings cards that I mail to friends etc. I also sell them through my website! :)

Be creative with your new hand crafted paper and tell me what you've done with it!

Comments

[sstols]

I Still don't understand the deck bit./ Do you bit a frame of the same size on top of the frame with the mesh? I am new at this, got the mesh, and just have to make the frame.

[Muzhik]

The "deckle" is the top part of the mold.
1. Take two picture frames of the same size. One side of each frame is flat and smooth.
2. Nail or staple your mesh (which can be something like a window screen, or even nylon stocking) to the flat side of one frame. That becomes your mold.
3. Make sure the nails or staples have been hammered into the wood of the frame. If any part of the nail or staple is sticking up, the deckle (your other frame) won't fit flat on top of the mold, and your paper pulp will leak out of that side.

[ChrisC527]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wal-Board-Tools-5-in-x-...

use this wallboard mixing tool with a drill and a 5 gallon bucket with hot water and paper, i wouldnt go more than half way or you will make a mess. It easily munches up the paper into pulp or slurry.

[the minecrafth]

DO NOT put the paper in a Blender! it wears down the blades a ton rendering the blender useless! i origionaly discovered i coudl make paper by accidently making pulp by hand! to do so take paper shreds (MUST BE CROSS CUT) put it in a cup of water and use ur hands to sqush an squeeze it, after 5-10 minutes you will have a nice bucket of pulp! :)

[khawajanadeem]

It is very difficult process. Secondly I want good quality and quantity of paper. How is it possible to manufacture and sell it commercially.

[the minecrafth]

You would need machines multiple expensive machines

[LynnseyP]

Then don't make it, buy the the paper someone already made for you.

[DeniseQ]

i dont know what mesh means. i am confused on what to do. HELP ME! please :]

[khawajanadeem]

I am interested in the recycling process. Kindly send me some more details of

your knowledge at my email address [e-mail]

[the minecrafth]

She wontm do that

[the minecrafth]

Seriously, open your window and touch the screen, thats mesh

[leon-geyer]

Google translations :)
I suppose you speak spanish = malla

[LynnseyP]

It is like the screen in your window.

[Boygasmo]

Mesh is like a screen you use for your windows to keep the bugs out. I use my window screen and it works just as effectively as anything.

[Nuzi]

It sounds Fun!

[shemerae]

hi, Quite interesting, how can I make smooth paper? Can I use glass instead of a wire mesh?

[lidiae]

you can use fabric filter, usually it used for making tofu

[LynnseyP]

No, the mesh allows for the water to escape and the new paper to dry/cure.

[RafałH]

I did a handmade paper in the house. I must say that even comes out very cool these methods. It's easy just need to do them well. Meuse add to them a little gruel for wood to make it more durable. It can be done in several ways - I did this unusual http://www.open-youweb.com/how-to-make-paper/ recommend the latter. Thanks for the nice post.

[koreanlove81]

Do u have to have the mesh or can u use something else.