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To outline the main sources of fibre used to make paper and the difference uses for paper. • Understand the role of trees in paper making • Identifying and drawing the main steps in the manufacture of paper • Making recycled paper by hand and comparing it to machine made paper |
Activity 1- reading and interpretation of the information card - calculating the number of trees needed to make all the paper used in Britain each year Activity 2 - investigating different types of paper and card and how they are used Activity 3 - interpreting the graphics on the paper poster to identify a life cycle for a comic or newspaper Activity 4 - writing the life story of a comic or magazine Extension Activities - making recycled paper and comparing it to machine made paper |
Activities 1& 2 Science (materials) Activity 1 - Maths Activity 3 & 4 English Activity 2 - English Extension activity -science and design and technology |
Paper information sheet, paper poster, writing paper Suggested items for activity 2 are cereal boxes, computer paper, newspaper or magazine, juice carton, paper bag. Extension activity - paper making frames, sponges, shredded office paper, liquidiser, washing up bowls/cat litter trays, J-cloths and newspaper, clothes pegs and line |
Paper can be made from many different raw materials including recovered fibre (paper collected and sorted for recycling). It comes in many grades and can be recycled into a variety of end uses, for example old newspapers and magazines can be turned into newsprint or into cardboard for packaging. In the UK we manufacture large amounts of virgin and recycled paper products but most of the wood used in the production of paper is imported from overseas. Although trees planted for papermaking can be considered as a renewable resource the tree farms are often planted in such a way as to reduce local biodiversity and adversely affecting wildlife. Recovered fibre is often mixed with virgin pulp and so many recycled paper products do not contain 100% recycled fibre. However it is well worthwhile recycling paper because it reduces demand for the virgin pulp, saves energy in the manufacturing process and is a widely used material.
A common criticism of paper recycling is that paper collected for recycling ends up in landfill sites. Very occasionally this is true for a variety of reasons including market fluctuations in the paper industry or because the paper has been burnt or severely contaminated in some way. However Britain has many paper making companies that specialise in recycling paper and the government is seeking ways in which some of the problems with the markets can be addressed. Buying recycled paper products is as important as saving waste paper for recycling and the availability of recycled paper products is increasing. More details are available from the contacts given in the Other resources and sources of information section (see Contents).
Activity 1 Question 1 - types of plants used to make paper are wood, cotton, grasses, sugarcane, straw
Question 2 the types of trees used are softwoods such as fir, pine, and spruce.
Question 3 Many of the trees are imported from Scandinavia or Canada
Question 4 1871/2 million
This activity requires some preparation including making frames and making a paper pulp. Paper making frames can be bought or made from thin timber and aluminium mesh or net curtain.
It is recommended that you use shredded office paper rather than old newspapers to make the pulp to reduce the amount of ink in the pulp. Ideally the shredded paper should be soaked in warm water for a few hours before the activity. An electric liquidiser is ideal for making the pulp.
Making the old paper into paper pulp:
1. Shred or rip the paper into bits and soak it in warm water (the longer the better).
2. Put a handful of the soaked paper in the liquidiser with water and blend for a few minutes.
You have made paper pulp.
3. Set up a paper making work station as shown in the diagram.
4. Put the paper pulp into the shallow tray and add more water. The tray should be half full of water. You are now ready to make recycled paper.
The following worksheet can be used to support this activity. It takes some time for the paper to dry but the following day the recycled paper will be ready for comparison with machine made recycled paper or virgin paper samples.
1. Swirl the pulp and water mixture with your hands to mix it up.
2. Take the frame. Place the mesh frame on the table with the mesh facing upwards. Put the open frame on top of the mesh.
3. Hold the sides of the frame together. Do not put your fingers on the mesh or you will make a hole in the new paper sheet.
4. To scoop the paper pulp into the frame:
· Hold the frame over the tray with the front tipping downwards.
· Move it down and forwards into the water.
· Hold under the water and move backwards and forwards gently.
5. Lift the frame straight up and out of the water. Count to five to let the water drain back into the tray.
6. Remove the open frame. Turn the mesh frame upside down onto the pile of J-cloths.
7. Press down onto the mesh with a sponge to wipe up the excess water.
8. Remove the frame. You have made a piece of recycled paper.
9. Place a piece of newspaper on top of the recycled paper and turn the whole pile upside down.
10. Gently peel off the J-cloths and the recycled paper should stick to the newspaper.
11. Leave to dry and then peel the recycled paper off the newspaper.
12. Compare your handmade paper with the machine made paper in a book or note pad - observe any differences in colour, texture and absorbency. Write down the differences and discuss why the two types of paper are so different.