What happens to most of the used paper here at UNH?

Most papers are thrown away and disregarded, but if we recycled those unwanted papers, we would save landfill space, and we could re-use the valuable wood fibers again. In celebration of earth week, the Elm City Review joined with the Green Team to make a special event…making your own paper.

Making your own paper from old paper is similar to what happens in a paper recycling mill. At a mill, the pulp is put into a machine with a long moving screen. The water drips through the screen. Then the screen moves through part of the machine that presses and dries the pulp. Now you have paper. This was the same premise that was used at this event.

First the students helped in the blending of the recycled newspaper and water to make the paper pulp. The students then placed the pulp onto the screen that was made for this event and squeezed any excess water from the screen. The students then placed their screened paper pulp onto regular newspaper were they could iron it or let it air dry.

Though the paper is thicker and rougher, it is still homemade. “This paper can be made into cards, notes, or invitations” Elm City Review President Ashley Johnson stated. “The paper is 100% recyclable materials, and that makes it not only green but an amazing material to work with as well” Green Team President Kara Villone also commented.

Students who attended were amazed at the paper making process and even more thrilled that it was a 100% recyclable resource. Though paper making is not a hard process, it is timely and many do not wish to set aside the time or effort in making their own paper, which is a shame. This paper making process brings you not only back into your childhood but back in touch with nature.

So please the next time you have papers, don’t just throw them away, recycle them. You never know what they could turn into.