I watched a creator on TikTok make paper, and then I made paper.
A few days ago, I was on my FYP (for you page) on TikTok when I came across a creator’s video of recycling used scratch paper and turning it into new sheets of paper. I immediately went to the comments to try to find out where she bought her kit, and I surfed Amazon and other online sites.
Then I looked at the price tag, and I thought of my wallet. And then, I turned off my phone.
I’m no economist, but £42 seems like a load of money to me.
Two days later, I thought about recycling paper again, and so I searched it up one more time thinking I’d hit something else, and I did. I found a blueprint of the frame and sent it to my grandpa (in hopes that he’d make me one). But a part of me felt like I could do this myself, so I watched a video on how to make one.
warning: if you’re my mom, what you are about to read is not for you, please close the tab and try again in a few years.
After watching the video, I had to gather my materials. I found my papa’s drill, some chopsticks (to be replaced from dowels), screen, and I stole two picture frames from my mom’s chair.
Before you tell my mom, consider this: the picture frames were collecting dust, and it was just my siblings’ pictures. I hid them somewhere, but I won’t tell you.
I know the picture frames weren’t extremely expensive, because it had Ross price tags, so I should be good.
The next few hours went a little like this:
My mom left to do some errands. I went into her room and found the frames. Then I spent about 30 minutes drilling holes. (It was afternoon by then, so it was sorta hot.)
Then I blended my paper to make pulp. (I found some old paper in my sister’s old binder that she intended to throw away.)
Midway through blending, my sister asked me to hurry up so that she could make a smoothie. I didn’t.
I moved into the restroom so that I could drain out some of the liquid, and before I left the kitchen I asked her to tell me when our parents got home, and luckily, I was in the restroom by then, because they would’ve erupted at the mess I was in.
In my family, I’m known for always doing “experiments,” and most of the time they hate it, lol.
When I finished, I moved to my sister’s restroom so that I could start straining and molding.
After about a half an hour, the vacuum was turned on, so I knew my papa was cleaning the house.
I was sitting criss-crossed apple sauce, straining out the water when I heard the vacuum scream louder, then my papa opened the door, and I shot up.
He closed the door thinking I needed privacy, but he did a double take and saw that I was “experimenting” again.
I guess he felt bad for me, so he didn’t get upset. I was safe this time.
When I was finished, I shot a few pictures and posted about it on Instagram Stories. I set it outside to dry but because it was thick, it needed the night +more to get firm.
I would suggest for other people to try this out. It’s fairly easy to do, and with the government pausing on collecting recyclables, help deter some waste from ending up in landfills and making a new product!
I do want to warn you though, it takes time and energy. So, if you plan on doing it please do recycle your water or consider using rain water. And use a sponge to dry up the paper!
