Paper is an natural fibre made from wood pulp,and is used for several purposes like; scholastic material, toiletaries, decorations, etc. However, much as it is very useful, it is a very destructive element to the environment if not properly disposed of. It litters the compound since too much of it is carelessly disposed of,especially in schools.In our school, this is prevented by use of trash cans and approximately five dustbins of about five litres in volume are collected daily from all classrooms in the school. If paper is burnt, it's smoke pollutes the air, and if it decomposes, the chemicals from this paper may alter the soil composition hence soil fertility.This therefore call for more serious safety measures against pollution of the environment by paper,and the best way is to find alternative uses for this waste paper. This paper can be recycled to make more paper for various uses as mentioned above. Paper that can be recycled includes;envelopes, fax paper, newsprint, etc. Waste paper from newsprint can be recycled to make artpaper and paper for parkages.This recycling can be done locally as follows: The newsprint, cardboard paper is torn up to pieces, then soaked in water for about two hours to soften it.It's then mashed using a mortar and pestle and after which beaten up to form a thick solution.This solution is poured onto a framed wooden rectangular mesh of desirable dimensions with porous material like cloth fastened on the wooden sides by use of nails.The solution is levelled on the mesh and left for water to drip out.When the paste is almost dry,it's removed from the mesh and a cloth put on top of it. A hot iron is then used to press this paste so that it dries and binds to form a sheet of paper.This paper is thick,darkcoloured and rough.And we feel that this method can be tought to the local people around our school community. Paper which is not easily recycled,can be used to make decorations for houses.The newsprint and magazine cuttings can be used as wallpaper to give a smooth and relatively attractive appearance to rough walls. Paper can also be used as fuel. It's estimated that about ten foolscaps of 203" x 330"can be used to light a charcoal stove.1000 of the same dimensions can boil half a litre of water. It can also be used to make mattresses and cushions as follows:

Paper is cut into strips of uneven dimensions and filled in a tough cloth which is covered by a soft and quite attractive cloth for comfort.About three large sacks of paper can be used to make a mattress 3" thick,1metre wide and 2.5metres long. Other uses include;making toys for children by rolling it into various forms to fit the shapes of their toys such as dolls and cars.It's used in garages for covering glass screens of cars when colour is being sprayed on the cars.Waste paper can be used as toiletary,tailoring schools when making patterns. Waste paper has so many other unmentioned uses which therefore means that all wastepaper can be used consructively.Therefore it's unwise to throw waste paper which could litter the compound and be a threat to the environment,when it could have been put to better use.

By:

Mugala Patricia, 17

Lubega Stella, 18

Kabbyanga Sadres, 18

Akite Lydia, 18