Recycled Paper Making

I just finished a recycled paper making workshop with the kids at the Easton Family YMCA's Day Camp.  We had a fanastic time making a bunch of recycled paperboard.  One of the kids asked if I had written instruction which got me to thinking I should write up what I do with this program and post it here on my blog (I also sent instruction on to the camp and I hope they can pass it on to interested kids - making paper at home with mom and dad is a fun activity).

There a plenty of websites and youtube videos that show how to make recycled paper.  This is what I do with large groups of kids.  Research, experiment, try different things out.  There is a whole world of recycled paper projects that can be done.

For example, many years ago a teacher told me about what her son did.  He got very interested in making recycled paper.  He'd go around and buy used blenders at garage sales.  He experimented and became very good at it.  For his senior thesis in high school he wrote a paper on Shakespeare.  He made his own paper which he do so it looked like old parchment paper.  He printed his thesis in an old style font on this old looking paper.  The end result was a paper that looked like it had been written a long time ago.

Use you imagination.  Experiment.  Play around.  Have fun!

The George Steele Method of Making Recycled Paperboard


Step 1 - collect paper to recycle. The two best options old newspaper and old homework or copy paper. Coated paper found in magazines and newspaper inserts do not work as well.

Step 2 - shred paper. It's most fun to shred by hand, but you could use a home office paper shredder.

Step 3 - soak paper in water. The longer you soak it the easier it is on the blender. I did not soak the paper with my presentation because of the time constraints.  Using newsprint and old homework paper results in a grayish paper very much like a typical cardboard egg carton.  Add color by adding some old construction paper.

Step 4 - blend paper in blender. The kitchen blender used a few times to make paper and then thoroughly cleaned afterwards does no harm. My blenders are dedicated just to paper making since I do it so often. An old blender bought at a garage sale could be used if there is concern about the family blender and future food preparation. BLENDER MUST BE USED UNDER ADULT SUPPERVISION!

Step 5 - this step is quite different than most recycled paper making instructions. Google recycle paper making and you will find many websites that provide more information, instructions and videos. For speedy paper production I pour the paper pulp on to the screens "convex" side, not the "concave"/cupped side. I use old handkerchiefs stretched on to an embroidery hoop. There are many different instructions on how to make a paper making screens and use them. Check the web for other techniques.

Step 6 - flip the screen with the paper pulp on to a flat surface. For my program I place a piece of wax paper on top of the paper pulp so that the paper can be moved to a dry area. You can flip the paper pulp on to a table. Use you hands to smooth out the pulp. Be careful not to press to much in one spot or you will end up with a hole in your paper. Use a sponge to soak up water. Use the sponge evenly around the paper screen.

Step 7 - Once you've removed the majority of the water let the paper on the screen dry. This might take a day or two. Once dry you can peel off the screen and pull up the paper.

This produces a thick paper board that can be cut and painted or colored with magic marker. It does not fold well.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.  The link to my e-mail is above.