Paper Recycling
A learning experience for
students
Deepti Gumber
deepti@sdalt.ernet.in
"An idea that helps create something good out of nothing"
Paper is required and used for anything and everything one can think of.
With hundreds of final uses, paper satisfies many important human needs. In
fact, it is an integral part of everyday life. The technological advance
with computers and photocopiers has increased the consumption and wastage of
paper. Indian consumption of paper is five kilograms per capita, with an
expected growth rate of 6-7% per annum over the next five years.
By using paper carelessly, we contribute to the depleting forest cover,
drastic climate change and water pollution. For every ton of paper, the
paper industry guzzles up 2.8 tons of dry timber and 24,000 gallons of
water, besides electricity and other resources. Pulp and paper industry is a
major contributor in terms of air and water pollution.
Recycling of paper not only saves trees and minimises pollution, but also
reduces the waste problem by utilizing waste material like used paper,
cotton rags and unwanted biomass.
Benefits of paper recycling
Waste reduction
l |
Paper accounts for a significant amount of municipal waste |
l |
Recycling paper means less waste and disposal problem |
l |
Energy
conservation
60-70% energy savings over virgin paper
production |
l |
Resource
conservation
l Recycled paper uses 55% less water and
helps preserve our forests |
l |
Pollution
reduction
Recycled paper reduces water pollution by
35%, reduces air pollution by 74%, and eliminates many toxic pollutats |
l |
Livelihood
creation
Recycling of waste paper creates more jobs |
If each child
saves one sheet of paper a day, then 40,000 trees are saved per year by
students alone!
It is with this mission that a few schools in Delhi have installed the TARA
Mini Paper Recycling Plant with
support from Department of Environment, NCT Delhi. The students have done
significant work in reducing the paper waste generated in their schools.
Secondly, the students themselves are involved in the recycling process,
which helps in understanding the various resources and efforts put in for
making paper.
The TARA Mini Paper Recycling Plant is an appropriate system to turn waste
paper, cotton rags and other such waste into paper for all purposes. The
plant is based on an effective and yet simple technology, with which even a
child can turn waste paper and cotton rags into valuable products.
The plant is a self contained system for recycling small quantities of waste
material i.e. upto ten kg per day.
The
basic raw material for manufacturing hand made paper comprises cotton rags,
denim waste, waste paper and draft waste. The various steps involved are
sorting, chopping, dusting, pulping, sheet formation, pressing, drying,
calendering and cutting.
Students are also trained on making paper products like folders, penholders,
material for display board, lampshades, teaching/learning aids etc. Students
have creatively made their own cards, files, folders, invitation cards and
certificates for the school. Working on a paper recycling plant demonstrates
the concept of recycling waste into ‘wealth’.
The real success of the programme is visible in the seemingly simple
acts like: students exchanging books in a new academic session, indirectly
saving paper and thereby trees. Students of various Delhi schools have been
enthusiastically involved in segregating paper waste, collecting and
recycling the same. The Department of Environment, NCT Delhi has also helped
some environmentally active schools like Green Fields School and many others
to set up the plant.
Remember - to use
paper is to have an impact on our environment. Our greater goal should be to
promote reduction of consumption.q
Recycle Paper at
home! |
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Shred the waste
paper and soak it overnight in water. |
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Blend it in a
mixer-grinder with a paste of fenugreek (methi) seeds. For colour, add
natural colouring agents like Turmeric powder (Haldi), etc. |
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Put water in a pan with a
wire-mesh inside. |
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Pour a cup of the blended
paper pulp over the mesh and spread it evenly. |
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Lift the mesh and drain
the water. |
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Place the mesh on one side
of an open newspaper and close the newspaper. |
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Carefully flip the
newspaper so that the mesh is on top of the pulp. |
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Press a flat wooden board
on the newspaper to squeeze out water. |
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Open the newspaper and
take out the mesh. |
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Keep the newspaper open
for drying. Dried leaves and petals can be spread on the sheet while
it is wet. |
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Once dried, peel off the
sheet from the newspaper. |
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Lightly iron the sheet under a piece of
moist muslin cloth. |
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