Start with making your own paper

EVER wonder how paper is actually recycled? Here's a great way to learn how.

First, you'll need: 21/2 full newspaper sheets; one folded, thick section from the paper; a blender; five cups of water; a big, deep square pan; a piece of window screen that fits inside the pan; a measuring cup; a flat piece of wood the size of a frontpage folded in half.

Next: Tear the 21/2 pages into tiny pieces, and drop the pieces into the blender with five cups of water. Cover and blend into pulp. Put the screen into the pan along with some water. Pour one cup of blended paper pulp over the screen and spread the pulp evenly in the water with your fingers until it feels mushy.

Lift the screen and let the water drain. Open the newspaper section to the middle, and place the screen with the pulp into the newspaper. Close the newspaper and carefully flip over the newspaper section so the screen is on top of the pulp.

Place the board on top of the newspaper and press to squeeze out excess water. Open the newspaper and take out the screen.

Leave the newspaper open, and let the pulp dry for at least 24 hours. When fully dry, you have paper. Peel it off the newspaper section, and write on it! This recipe came from ''Fifty Simple Things Kids Can Do To Save the Earth'' by the Earthworks Group.