Experiment to Try at Home from the Sustainability Topic Week

Do you know what sustainability means?

Here is our definition for kids:
“All people on our earth living well and using only so much water, wood and other natural resources like our earth can re-build again.”

You could also say:
“Sustainable means

  • using energy efficiently
  • avoiding, separating and recycling waste
  • using renewable raw materials
  • maintaining and protecting our health.”

How can recycled paper be produced from cardboard packaging?

Waste paper and cardboard are collected in a waste paper bank. The waste paper can be used to produce recycled paper.

You need:

  • 15 g (0.5 oz.) of cardboard
  • Measuring cup for water
  • Water
  • Large shallow plastic bowl
  • Rolling pin
  • Hand blender + tall container
  • Fly screen for use as a flat sieve (approx. 30 x 40 cm / 12 x 15 inches)
  • 1 kitchen towel or old T-shirt
  1. Weigh out 15 g (0.5 oz.) of cardboard. Tear the card into pieces the size of your thumbnail and put the pieces of card into a tall container.
  2. Use the measuring cylinder to measure 200 ml (7 fl. oz.) of water and add the water to the pieces of card in the tall container.
  3. Blend the card and water mixture until you have a gray pulp. You should not be able to see any large pieces of card in the pulp.
  4. Put the pulp into a shallow dish and add 1 liter (34 fl. oz.) of water. Stir the card and water mixture vigorously by hand.
  5. Use the fly screen as a sieve: One of you stretches the fly screen across the sink and holds it tightly. The other one then pours the pulpy mixture onto the fly screen so that excess water can drip through. When the mixture stops dripping, put the fly screen containing the pulp onto the table, place a piece of fabric on top and turn both over.
  6. Roll the rolling pin over the screen several times.
  7. You can then put the piece of fabric with the “paper” onto the drying rack to dry.