You are on page 1of 6

HOME

SF GA
TE GUIDES
How Can We Make Banana Peelings Into Paper?
Trees do so much more than add aesthetic beauty to our landscape while shielding us
from intense sun rays. They also filter airborne pollutants and sequester carbon dioxide
emissions, ultimately enabling us to breathe a lot easier. American production of paper
and printed matter, however, is responsible for releasing more than 40 million metric
tons of CO2 into our atmosphere annually. Tree lovers can seek out sustainable paper
options made from pulverized calcium carbonate stone or assorted types of easily renewable plant fibers, or
they can even craft an alternative DIY version from trash-bound banana peels for eco-inspired letter writing.
Sponsored link

O b a m a H A R P P r o g r a m 2 0 1 7
Verify Your HARP Eligibility Today. HARP 2017 Verification Takes 1 Min!
mortgagerefinancerates.org

1 Remove the stem and blossom end of four banana peels. Unripe peels work best, but you can use just-
ripened peels, too.

2 Place the skins in a sunny area such as your windowsill or deck until they transition from yellow to
entirely black. Theyll be ready to use in your homemade paper recipe as soon as they are completely
devoid of all moisture and pliability.
Place 1 cup of shredded recycled paper into a blender along with 2 cups of water. Cover it securely and
3
then blend the combo on high until a gray-tinged slurry forms.
Prepare your completely dried banana skins so they can be added to the paper pulp by first rough-cutting
4
them into -inch bits and then depositing them into a pot of rapidly boiling water. Allow the material to
soften for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5 The rehydrated banana skins are now ready to be added to the paper slurry already in your blender.
Once you augment the mixture with an additional cup of water, replace the lid and process on high until it
all comes together in texture and consistency.

6 Place your papermaking mold and deckle in the bottom of a plastic basin with the glass frame facing up.
Slowly pour the paper slurry inside the mold while concurrently raising the double frame so all the excess
water in your paper mixture drains through. Make sure the paper pulp covers the entire surface area of the
mold by hand-pressing it into place; this step will reduce the moisture content so it is easier to release your
homemade banana paper sheet from its frame.

7 With a large damp cloth covering your table, place the mold/deckle on top so the deckle frame can be
immediately removed, followed by the mold itself. What will remain is a somewhat solid sheet of recycled
banana skin-paper pulp that must be cured before use. Allow it to dry for approximately 24 hours or until all
water has evaporated.
Things You Will Need
4 banana peels
Assorted shredded recycled paper
Sharp knife
Pot
Spoon
Measuring cup
Papermaking mold and deckle
Large plastic basin
Blender or food processor (with a minimum 4 cup capacity)
Large damp cloth
Tip

Ideal recycled paper sources for this project include colored envelopes, comic pages, magazine
advertisements, fast food wrappers, jar labels, wrapping paper and junk mail.

Create a homemade paper mold (also known as a mold and deckle) by removing the glass insert in one large
picture frame and replacing it with metal mesh screen, taking care to secure the material around the perimeter
with a staple gun. Then stack the second picture frame (with the glass still inside) directly on top of the
screened frame.

If you like the idea of creating banana-based paper but dont want to commit to the entire drying and
rehydration process, you can purchase premade banana fiber from a papermaking supplier.

Sponsored Links

O b a m a H A R P P r o g r a m 2 0 1 7
Verify Your HARP Eligibility Today. HARP 2017 Verification Takes 1 Min!
mortgagerefinancerates.org

P r o p e r t y M a n a g e m e n t S o f t w a r e
Tenant File - America's Favorite! Easy, desktop powerful & affordable.
tenantfile.com

S e l l W i t h R e d f i n & S a v e
Sell your Home for More & Pay Less in Commission When You Use Redfin.
redfin.com

S t a m p i n ' U p O f f i c i a l S i t e
View our products and specials and
find a demonstrator to get started!
www.stampinup.com

You May Like Sponsored Links


How Chinas Robot Revolution Could Impact U.S. Commercial Real Estate
Blueprint by CBRE

This game kills boredom once and for all!


Vikings: Free Online Game
1 million people have adopted this new language learning method
Babbel

Photos Inside Ivanka Trump's New Home Will Leave You Speechless
LifeDaily.com

by Taboola
References (5)

About the Author


An eco-journalist for 1-800-Recycling, Ecorazzi, Martha Stewarts Whole Living, WebEcoist,
Organic Baby University and This Dish Is Veg, among others publications, Elizah Leigh continues
inspiring readers to wade in greener waters using a unique literary voice that highlights the
informational and quirky side of the green scene. She holds a Master of Arts in teaching English.
Photo Credits
Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

Suggest a Correction
Banana Peels & Orange Peels in the Garden Do Onions Repel Mosquitoes?

How Tree Roots Affect Soil How to Make Your Bedroom Wall Look Fashionable
Sponsored Links

N e e d T r a i n i n g M a t e r i a l ?
Soft Skills Training Material for Teamwork & Team Building workshops.
corporatetrainingmaterials.com

F r e e S e w i n g P a t t e r n s
Browse & Download Free Patterns. Thousands to Choose From. Join Now!
www.craftsy.com/sewing

N e o p o s t P o s t a g e M e t e r s
Industry Leader in Addressing, Tabbing & Postage Meters.
gowithneopost.com

D r i n k T h i s B e f o r e B e d
I've been drinking this for a few weeks now and my friends barely recognize me!
thepenthousefloorllc.com

S t a m p i n ' U p O f f i c i a l S i t e
View our products and specials and find a demonstrator to get started!
www.stampinup.com

Related Searches
Paper Crafts
Paper Recycling
Paper Paper
Recycled Paper
Paper Model
Eco Paper

Related Articles
How to Remove Bees from a Pool Area
How to Write Goals on Buying a Home
How to Organize a Cluttered Master Bedroom
Sample Checklist Form for Home Inspection
Scrap Paper Recycling
Moving Banana Trees

More Articles
How to Paint Your Name on Your Bedroom Wall
Decomposing Recycling Paper & Non Recycling
Paper
How Can I Pay Off My Mortgage Faster?
Natural Alternative to Scotch Guard
Natural Spider Repellents vs. Chemical Repellents
How to Recycle Paper for Kids

Trending in Your Area


The Austin, a limited collection of condominium
residences now selling (sponsored)
Great schools, great location at Via Moraga by
Signature Homes (sponsored)
Apples new campus opens to employees, public
this year
Americans buy existing homes at fastest pace in a
decade
Study: San Francisco has the highest rental prices
in the world

You might also like