Ecopaper.com - Banana Paper, Eco Friendly Gifts, Tree Free Paper

Going green is certainly not easy. Often, using green and recycled materials could be more expensive than using virgin materials such as paper directly coming from trees. There are many benefits to using recycled paper. One of the best reasons for using them is they save trees and helps keep the environment a little bit greener.

Using environmental paper saves trees but could be a little bit more expensive than using conventional paper. The long term benefits of using recycled paper to the environment are numerous. They help preserve precious rainforests and prevent the release of  pollution to the atmosphere. Paper is one of the most used products in the world and large amounts of  it could be located in our landfills. Using recycled paper saves them from landfills and helps the earth breathe a little bit easier.

Paper does not only use wood in trees for processing but also utilizes large amounts of water during manufacture. Recycling paper requires less energy and reduces overall pollution. Living a green life is simple by just choosing recycled paper products for a start.

Home Use

Recycled paper products for home are readily available and are used for a wide variety of purposes. It would be surprising to see the recycled symbol on some paper products we commonly use daily. Some of these recycled products include, paper towels, toilet tissues and some of the dinnerware. Teaching our kids how to appreciate the beauty of recycling is easy by just using recycled paper products whenever possible.

Simple Steps in Making Recycled Paper at Home

Step 1 Drying Screen

Make a simple drying screen by shaping first shaping some wires into a square or rectangular shape, you could also fashion out a simple frame from wood. Secure a fine wire or plastic mesh over the frame, the number of drying screens depend on the number of papers you will be making.

Step 2 Shred the Old Paper

Cut your old newspapers or any paper products into small pieces. If you have a shredder, use this to cut the paper into fine strips.

Step 3 Mixing the Paper with Water

Mix the shredded paper with water, using a blender could make the task easier. Initially mix the paper with water in another container and place the paper in the blender for a better mix. Place this inside the blender and be careful to keep the water level at least 1 inch above the paper. This ensures a smoother blending action and does not put too much stress on the blender. Once the mixture turn gray, run the blender for a few more minutes.  

For those who want to add a touch of flair into their finished paper, add a few drops of coloring in the paper mixture. This is great for making a simple stationary or greeting cards. Show your creative flair by adding other materials such as twigs or flowers  

Step 4 Adding Glue

Place the blended water and paper mixture into another container. This should contain a mixture of water and a few drops of glue. Empty the paper mixture into the container and bled them using your hands. Continue mixing until you are sure that the paper pulps are even mixed with the glue.

Step 5 Straining the Paper Mixture

Pour the mixture into the drying screen. Let the mixture stay on the screen for a few minutes to let the liquid exit naturally. Gently lift the screen or move it from side to side to let the liquids exit faster.

Step 6 Dry the Paper

After removing as much liquid from the paper pulp mixture, evenly spread this over the drying screen. Spread the pulp into an even thin layout over the screen. Bring it out to let it dry under the sun. Iron the dried paper (optional) to remove some wrinkles and get a finer finish.