Science Smarts: Recycling made easy (and fun)
By Patty Rooks on November 4, 2023.
I am still hearing from people who attended our Family Science Olympics at Medicine Hat College a few weeks ago. Many are asking if I can share the amazing experiments the education students put together. Although I do not have the exact activity, here is my version of “Recycling Paper.” I was really in awe of this experiment as it showed participants how simple it can be to recycle common household materials each and every day. We all need to do our part. Let’s get started! *Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment. Materials – Several sheets of newspaper – Blender or food processor – Water – Sink or plastic tub – Old pair of nylons – Metal coat hanger(s) – Electric iron – Food colouring – Tape – Scissors – Measuring cups Procedure Part 1 (Making The Frame) 1. Undo the coat hanger and pull to straight. 2. Bend the wire into a square frame. 3. Tape the ends of the wire together so your frame stays in place. 4. Cut one of the legs of the nylons off. 5. Carefully stretch the leg of the nylon over the metal frame. Be careful you do not rip the nylons. 6. Pull the nylons tight and tie a knot in each end 7. If you wish, repeat to make more than one frame. Procedure Part 2 (Making Paper) 1. Rip two sheets of newspaper into small strips. 2. Measure 125 mL (1/2 cup) of tightly packed newspaper strips. 3. Put into the blender. 4. Add 300 mL (1 ¼ cups) of water to the paper. 5. Blend until smooth. 6. Continue to add more newspaper until the mixture is thick and smooth. 7. Colour the paper by adding a couple of drops of food colouring. 8. Blend well. 9. Place the screen in the cake pan or sink. 10. Pour 500 mL (2 cups) water into the pan. 11. Pour approximately half of the pulp mixture from the blender onto the screen you made. 12. Smooth the mixture out with your hands. 13. Carefully lift the screen out of the pan. 14. Place on several sheets of newspaper to dry. 15. Repeat using more screens. 16. Once the paper is dry, peel the screen away. 17. If it is too wrinkled, you can iron it flat. 18. Make a notebook out of all the paper you made. Discussion The method you used here is similar to how large factories recycle paper. At large factories, paper is also shredded and mashed into pulp. This pulp is then used to make different paper products. Did you know that for approximately every 50 kg (110 lbs) of paper recycled, one tree is saved? Remember to do your part at home each and every day! Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403.527.5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca. 46-45
