Name _______________________________________ Class _______ Date _______________
Inquiry Lab • Modeling
Chapter 11
Making Recycled Paper
Directions: Read the entire lab before doing the procedure and answering the questions.
Problem
How can you make recycled paper?
Background
Recycling paper not only reduces the number of trees used to make paper, it also
saves energy and other resources. For every ton of paper produced from recycled
paper, up to 17 trees can be saved. This process also uses 50 percent less water
and 60 percent less energy than producing paper from new materials. The process
of recycling paper involves breaking paper down into pulp—its plant fiber
components, then filtering the pulp through screens. The pulp is cleaned and deinked, then pressed, dried, and rolled into large reams for transport. Recycled
paper can be used to make many products, including writing paper, newsprint,
paper towels, egg cartons, and coffee filters.
Materials
• small pieces of several types of paper
(copier paper, paper towel, brown
paper bag, newspaper, tissue), each
about 5 cm  5 cm
• dissecting microscope or hand lens or
magnifying glass
• wire hanger
• one leg from a pair of nylons
• newspaper
• water
• large plastic container
• metric ruler
• sink
• twine or string long enough to reach
across the room, and extra
newspaper for drying area
• computer with Internet access, or
other reference sources about paper
recycling
• measuring cup
• blender
Safety
Put on safety goggles and a lab apron before starting the procedure. Use care
when bending the wire hanger. Also use care when operating the blender. Make
sure your hands are dry when handling the blender or when plugging it in. Never
put your hands inside the blender. Always place the lid on the blender before
starting it. Wash your hands with soap and water when finished with this activity.
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Name _______________________________________ Class _______ Date _______________
Procedure
Step 1
Observe each sample of paper with your unaided eye and then under
magnification (using a magnifying glass, hand lens, or dissecting
microscope). Record your observations of the paper and the fibers in
the data table.
Step 2
Bend the wire hanger into the shape of a square by pulling down from
the center of the bottom of the hanger. Make sure that the square will
fit into your plastic container.
Step 3
To make the screen, carefully stretch the leg from a pair of nylons
over the hanger. Avoid snagging the fabric on the hooked portion of
the hanger. Stretch it tightly; then secure it in place by tying off the
leg openings at the top and bottom of the hanger.
Step 4
Tear pieces of newspaper into 1-in. squares. Lightly pack the pieces
into the measuring cup until you have 3/4 (.75) cup.
Step 5
Place the newspaper squares in the blender, then add 1.5 cups water.
Step 6
Put the lid on the blender. Blend the newspaper and water on high for
1–2 minutes, until the mix has become a pulpy, gray mass.
Step 7
Fill a large plastic container with about 2.5 cm of water.
Step 8
Pour the pulp from the blender into the container. Mix the pulp into
the water using your hands. Mix it thoroughly, until there are no
lumps in the pulp.
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Name _______________________________________ Class _______ Date _______________
Step 9
Slide the screen slowly into the water from the edge and then along
the bottom of the container. Let the water return to calm. Slowly lift
the screen to the surface, allowing pulp to gather on top of the screen
and water to run off. It is best to have an even layer of pulp across the
screen. Dip the screen in the water as needed to cover the entire screen
thinly and evenly with pulp.
Step 10 Hold the screen over the container and allow water to drain from it. A
layer of pulp should remain on top of the screen.
Step 11 Hang your screen in the drying area as directed by your teacher.
Step 12 Dispose of the remaining pulp as directed by your teacher.
Step 13 Wash your hands thoroughly.
Step 14 Allow the screen to dry overnight. When dry, gently peel the paper
from the screen, beginning at the outer edges of the screen.
Step 15 Tear off a small piece from your recycled paper and observe the fibers
under magnification (use a dissecting scope or a magnifying glass).
Step 16 Test your paper by writing on it.
Observe and Collect Data
1. Fill in the table with the data you collect.
Data Table
Type of Paper
Description of Paper
Newspaper
Copier paper
Paper towel
Brown paper bag
Tissue
Recycled paper
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Description of Fibers
Name _______________________________________ Class _______ Date _______________
Analyze and Conclude
2. Analyze How did the fibers in the types of paper you observed differ? Why
do you think these differences occur?
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3. Compare and Contrast How did your piece of recycled paper differ from
those of your classmates? How can you explain these differences?
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4. Use Models Research more information—on the Internet, in reference
materials, or from sources provided by your teacher—about the process used
to recycle paper commercially. How do the steps you followed in this activity
differ from the commercial process?
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Name _______________________________________ Class _______ Date _______________
5. Apply Concepts How might a factory that makes recycled paper ensure
that every sheet of paper has the same qualities, such as uniform texture,
thickness, and color?
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6. Calculate In 2006, 85 million tons of paper and paperboard were used in
the United States. Of the 85 million tons, 44 million tons were recycled.
What percentage of paper and paperboard in the United States was recycled
in 2006? Show your work.
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7. Extension Research information about the recycling program in your
community. Suppose you are in charge of a campaign to raise awareness
about the recycling program and encourage people to participate. You decide
to use a minimum amount of new paper to make flyers, posters, or
pamphlets. How could you do this? In what locations would the flyers be
most effective? How could you promote the program without using
additional paper?
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