Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Recycle to Prevent Pandas From Crying

As the meeting was called to order, Farhanah introduced to us the latest project which was bookmark-making. The bookmarks were supposed to be made out of the recycled papers that Ili, Atikah, Husnina and Azmina produced. However, Pn. Yeo had asked us to postpone the project and concentrate on our barely-surviving Herbs Garden as we didn't want the YAWA representatives to faint when they see the cracked ground, dried plants and knee-length weeds.


The recycling process took place at one of our members' house on Sunday:
NO ONE IS GOING TO USE THAT EVER AGAIN.

Together we unite? :)

The soaking process to soften the paper

The drying process. AND WHO'S SANDALS ARE THOSE?
This recycling project will be continued until the world's waste management has improved and Barrack Obama bans paper usage. Too much sarcasm, huh?

How to make recycled papers? It's easy!
Recycled paper can be made from old newspaper, following the instructions below. Recycling paper uses cellulose (plant fibers) over and over again, it uses less electricity, less water, a lot less pollution, and it saves trees from being cut down!
You will need:
  • a food processor or an old blender
  • an electric iron
  • an old wire hanger
  • an old pair of panty hose
  • newspaper or other paper, torn into 2-inch squares
  • white glue
  • water
  • an insect screen or strainer (optional)
  • food coloring (optional)
  • a big sink or tub filled with 4 inches of water
Make sure you have a place to work where you can make a big mess!
Step One:
Make a frame out of the coat hanger. You'll need a frame for each piece of paper you make. Stretch the hanger and bend it into a rectangle/square shape. Take one leg of the panty hose and stretch it carefully over the hanger frame. Make sure it is tight and flat.
Step Two:
Put a handful of the torn up paper and some water into the food processor or blender. Blend the mixture on high until it becomes mushy. Keep adding paper and water until you have a big gray blob. You may have to add a little more water to keep things moving smoothly. Keep the food processor on until all the paper has disappeared. Then leave it on for 2 minutes.
For some color, add a handful of brown or red onion skin (not the onion itself, just the papery outer skin).
Step Three:
Put 2 tablespoons of white glue in the sink water and add all of the paper pulp you just made. Mix it really well. Use your hands.
Step Four:
Scoop the frame to the bottom of the sink, then lift it slowly. (Count to 20 slowly while you are lifting.) Let the water drain out for about a minute.
Step Five:
Hang the frames on a clothesline or put them out in the sun. Wait until they are completely dry with no dampness at all. You can then gently peel off the paper.
Step Six:
Use the iron, set on the hottest setting, to steam out your paper. You can keep making paper until the pulp is all strained out of the sink. Mix up the sink every time you make a new piece.
Try other things like using in insect screen over a wood frame, or a strainer instead of the pantyhose and hanger. Try adding lots of food coloring, for colored paper, or try adding lint or leaves to the food processor. We had tried adding in pandan leaves, and it left a nice scent in the papers. Also, your paper will have an interesting grainy texture, just like the one you always buy for a few bucks at the bookshop :)
To the members, please, PLEASE, PLEASE water the plants. We don't want Ryo to be sad, do we?

Now you know who posted this.

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