how do you recycle paper?

Answer 1

Soak old paper overnight. I only take used paper. It's ok if it has printing on it, unless you are trying to make pure white. Any used paper that I get that's white with no printing is saved separately because it's a little harder to come by. Crepe paper gives the boldest color. The color of your pulp is darker than what the color of the paper will be. You can soak it longer, but cover it if you have pets because they will drink it, which won't hurt them, but they always get hair in it.

Fill a blender half full with water. Don't use this blender for food! Now add a couple of handfuls of your soaked paper, torn into small pieces. Pulse the blender until you have a thick pea soup. Pour this into an extra-large bin. I use the largest size cat litter box. Add more water, including the water you soaked in overnight, until it's the consistency of toilet paper that has sat in a bucket for a week. Lots of floating fibers. When this is deep enough to go halfway up your arm, it's deep enough. As you work, you can keep adding the same color, or add different colors so it will change. Experiment by adding a blenderful that hasn't been blended enough. It will make bumps of color on your paper.

If you're making shapes or plant-able favors, use the candy molds. Just press the paper into the mold and squeeze out all the water you can, then pop it out or leave it in, to dry. I make paper boxes this way too. You can mix seeds into your pulp or insert them into the mold.

Grab a mold and dip it sideways down into your mixture. Bring it up flat, screenside up. the larger mesh should be on the bottom. jiggle it to spread the fibers and drain the water. Put it on a rack to drain. I use old resin lawn chaises and garden lattice up on blocks. In the basement, the paper will need a couple of days to dry. on a nice day outside, it will dry in a morning. Save your leftover pulp by pouring it into a wire colander. You can save the water too, if you have space to store it! Keep paper pulp in the fridge or freezer til you use it again. It'll keep in the freezer forever, as far as I know.

After your sheets are dry, Carefully peel the paper off the molds. This is an acquired skill and you will rip some.