Repsol YPF

Considering that on average we use some 150 kg of paper per person per year and that in addition to the large quantity of wood consumed in the paper making process, thousands of litres of water, kilowatts of energy and highly pollutant chemical products are also consumed, the act of using recycled paper would not only help reduce the destruction of forests, but also save water and energy, and reduce air and water pollution. Additionally, consuming more wood than is necessary not only harms the tree, but the entire ecosystem associated to the forest.
 
The dark colour of recycled paper does not mean that it is bad quality, it just means that chemical components have not been used in its production. In any case, there is another type of paper, environmentally friendly paper, which guarantees that the chemical material used to bleach it is not harmful to the environment. These products are labelled as 100% environmentally friendly paper and they guarantee not only that the paper has been made from used paper, but also that the bleaches used are not detrimental to the environment.
 
Another unfounded myth of recycled paper: it can be just as long-lasting and resistant as that which comes directly from the factory and there is recycled paper for all purposes, perfectly suitable from the hygiene and health points of view.
 
A good idea for our housekeeping and to allow children to start to appreciate the value of money and to look after the environment, is to make recycled paper at home. This paper can then be used for telephone messages, shopping lists and for children to draw on or make things.
 
The process
1.-  First of all it is important to check that the paper we are going to use is free of staples, sticky tape or other materials which could spoil the desired result.
2-  Tear up the paper into little pieces, the smaller the better, without worrying about the shape. All types of paper may be used: newspaper, white, coloured&, providing that it is not laminated, tracing paper or for heat printing.
3.-  Place the torn paper in a bucket and add two parts water per one part paper. If the paper has ink on it the water needs to be very hot in order to facilitate its removal. 
4.-  Transfer the still wet paper to a food blender and shred it to a pulp. Children may do this with adult supervision. If you wish to personalise the paper, you may add flower petals, little pieces of coloured silk paper or even glitter or eau de Cologne to give it a scent.
5.-  A sieve is required for the next step; you can make this yourself with an old wooden box and a hairnet as a base or by positioning four ribbons to give us the desired paper size. Place the sieve over a bucket, since the water will drain through the metallic net when we fill it with the wet paper. Spread the paper out well, using a spatula, so that it is as even as possible. Cover it with a cloth and press it to expel all the remaining water.
6.-  Once enough water has been squeezed out it will be ready for pressing. The press can also be made, using two pieces of timber and some screws. To save time you can separate several sheets of paper pulp with material and press two or three at once.
7.- Once the sheets have been pressed leave them to dry, either putting them next to a window or ironing them to speed up the process.