Recycling- paper

For some months now we have been making our own recycling- paper in the Oasis.

We collected tons of newspapers and other kinds of paper and let them soak in water. After that the kids had to blend the mass in a mixer several times so it is smooth and the paper doesn’t get all clumpy.

 

Together with Om Tut (Panca) they build a frame to make the paper and filter the water.

Yes, we did make lots of paper! :)

We made papers in all kinds of colors by adding batik coloring.

We had yellow, green, red, brown, pink, white and blue paper.

 

After giving the paper the right form by using the frame, the still wet mass had to be put on a piece of cloth.

 

This is the paper- press which Om Tut (Panca) invented especially for this purpose. 

 The cloths with the paper- mass had to be piled up and had to be pressed until most of the water was gone.

Of cause the paper- press was a job for the boys! :P

 Everything dried quickly in the indonesian sun.

 The kids added blossoms to some of the paper. They smelled really good when they were dry! To some they also added leaves so it would have a nice pattern. It worked very well.

 Afterwards the kids were always busy...

 ...making maaaany christmas cards for all the sponsors and friends of the Oasis and...

 

...many more things!

Everybody enjoyed learning how to make paper. It is very important for the children to learn about recycling because Indonesia has a big trash- problem. They are always amazed at what all you can make out of trash. And I am, too! Many things that would usually just be thrown into the rivers or burned can still be recycled and used again. It is good for the environment and it's cheap, too!