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Celebrate Earth Day by reusing paper scraps to make new paper.  It simple and fun to do!  In the end, you’ll have a beautiful new piece of paper that you can feel good about using.

Watch Amy’s video showing you how to make paper:

How to make paper

You will need:
blender (not used for food)
scrap paper – can be construction paper, printer paper, magazine pages….
water
tub or tray
screen – premade with a wood picture frame, metal screen, stapler & duct tape
sponge
white felt

Here’s how you make paper:

  • Tear up pieces of scrap paper that you wish to reuse into pieces about 1” square.
  • Place the scraps into a blender and cover with warm or hot water.  Use enough water to just reach the top of your paper.
  • Blend until the paper and water becomes “slushy”.
  • Place your screen into a tray to catch excess water.
  • Scoop some of the paper pulp onto the screen.
  • Shape the pulp by hand or with a cookie cutter or other tool (if using a cookie cutter or tool, remove after shaping).
  • Gently place a piece of white felt over the pulp and lift the tray with felt in place and flip over so the felt is on the bottom.
  • Press a dry sponge onto the screen with pulp beneath to absorb water.  As the sponge becomes saturated wring it out.
  • Continue to press with the sponge until no more water is being absorbed.
  • Carefully lift the screen off the paper and allow paper to dry on the felt for 24-48 hours.