17th February 2023
Did you know?
Newspapers, that have been our constant source of morning news for ages, are one of the biggest contributors to solid waste in landfills. By processing old newspapers and recycling them properly, we can greatly minimise the negative impact on the environment.
In this blog post, we explore how newspaper waste can be recycled, why you need to do it, and what you will need to recycle newspapers at home!
According to World Counts, an organisation focused on raising awareness about sustainability, the world's newspaper industry cuts down about 34 million trees every year and generates about 11 million tons of waste, including newsprint, magazines, and cardboard.
Recycling newspaper waste results in saving nearly 70% energy and water when compared to using virgin paper products. Additionally, pollution numbers and usage of harmful chemicals can be significantly lowered by recycling waste newspapers.
Raw material - Waste newspapers
To soak the shredded newspapers - A large container
To create pulp - Clean water
Equipment needed for pulping - A blender or a food processor
For extra water removal - A screen or mesh
To flatten and create an even thickness - A rolling pin
To remove excess water and smoothen the paper surface - A sponge
For adding colour to the paper - Paper dyes or natural colourants
To add some bling to the paper - Flower petals or Glitter
Getting the newspaper ready for the recycling process is the first key step. Start with removing all of the surface impurities such as ink, dirt, etc. Use a paper shredder or scissors to cut the newspaper into pieces and collect them in a pile. Once done, soak the shredded newspaper in a large container of water for several hours to loosen the fibres and create a smooth pulp.
Next, press with your hands to remove excess water from the pulp. This also helps to further remove any remaining ink or impurities. Lastly, the water in the newspaper is fully drawn out and is ready to be turned into pulp using a blender or a food processor.
With this method, you can now have the satisfaction of recycling your own waste newspapers, and making the world a better place! We promise, this is an incredibly fun home project for the whole family, and teaches kids to be conscious of their choices. It also encourages them to take action in the world in order to drive change.
As much fun as it is to make recycled paper from waste newspapers, it’s simply not feasible to meet all of your requirements for paper products this way. Make the switch to Rescript’s 100% recycled paper products - top quality recycled paper products, at no extra cost!