Homemade Charcoal Out of Paper Waste

Homemade Charcoal Out of Paper Waste
INTRODUCTION:
Paper is very important in our everyday life. We use it every day but most of us do
not know how to properly dispose it. According to Phares P. Parayno, Ph.D. and Mitzi Gay
M. Busmente, “The paper industry in the Philippines plays an important role in the
industrialization program of the country, contributing to the growth of the economy and
providing employment opportunities to thousands of workers. Unfortunately, it also
contributes to the waste generation in the country…For waste paper alone, only 60% of the
100 tons produced in a year is being recycled and the rest goes to the landfill. Waste paper is
the second most produced solid waste in the Philippines, contributing nineteen percent (19%)
of the total municipal solid waste production.” 1
By recycling paper waste into a homemade charcoal, we also introduce another kind
of biomass fuel source. According to the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural
Advancement (OISCA), “Paper charcoal serves as a good alternative fuel for cooking.
Encouraging the use of paper charcoal as cooking alternative is a good practice. Waste
papers that would otherwise end up in landfills are given new use as cooking medium.”2
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:
Our group has chosen to recycle paper waste and make it into homemade charcoal or
otherwise known as the green charcoal. In connection with this, we also need to further learn
if this green charcoal is a very good source of biomass fuel.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:
This study aims to promote awareness to an existing paper waste problem as well as
to provide a solution by recycling it into a biomass fuel. The researchers have also used the
simplest method in making the experiment so that it can be easily duplicated by common
people.
The success of this study will provide them other source of biomass fuel that can be
easily made and therefore will help the common people in saving their money by using their
paper waste. In doing so, they can contribute into saving our environment.
SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS:
This study is for and limited to research based on data found on turning paper waste
into homemade charcoal. The materials and procedures provided are studied and found in
trustworthy web pages. The research is limited to the making of homemade charcoal out of
paper waste and to providing awareness of its effectiveness if used as a biomass fuel source.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Homemade charcoal using paper waste is widely studied mostly by those seeking to
help the environment and to find other ways to recycle paper wastes.
The researchers have also learned that there are other ways of making paper waste
into charcoal as provided by eHow Contributor, Roxanne McHenry3, who used paper
briquette press. Another eHow contributor, Samantha Lowe4, combined her paper waste with
other recyclable materials such as sawdust.

HYPOTHESIS:
We use paper every day that paper is known to be one of the most important
commodities in the world,5 but along with the use of paper comes the great problem of its
proper disposal which very much impacts the decline of our environment. It is therefore the
researcher’s hypothesis that that by using paper wastes into homemade charcoal not only can
we help the environment but also provide a good source of biomass fuel.
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
Paper - A material made of cellulose pulp, derived mainly from wood, rags, and certain
grasses, processed into flexible sheets or rolls by deposit from an aqueous suspension, and
used chiefly for writing, printing, and drawing, wrapping, and covering walls.6
Waste - Garbage; trash.7 In this study, we use the term paper waste which basically refers to
the waste from paper.
Biomass - is biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms. In the
context of biomass for energy this is often used to mean plant based material, but biomass
can equally apply to both animal and vegetable derived material.8

METHODOLOGY:
The researcher has found several of methods in preparing homemade charcoal out of
paper waste, but has chosen the simplest process which is provided below.8
MATERIALS:
Paper waste Laundry Starch
Basin with ¾ tap water Empty Glass Jar, Liquid Bleach, Tin Can, Can Opener
Mixing Stick
PROCEDURE:
1. Shred or tear the paper.
2. Fill water basin about half way up with water and add 2 tbsp. of liquid bleach.
3. Submerge it in the water and bleach solution, so that the water completely covers the
paper.
4. Agitate the water from time to time with the mixing stick, and allow the paper to soak
in the bucket for 24 hours. It is ready when you see signs that it is breaking down into
a pulp.
5. Make drainage holes into the bottom of the tin can by using the can opener.
6. Put the pulp into tin can, and press out the water as much as possible.
7. Remove the pulp out of the mold.
1. 6. Place the paper waste in a warm, dry location to dry out completely.
8. Check the paper charcoal to see if they are completely dry. Once you determine that
they are done, store them for use in a cool, dry place away from moisture.
CONCLUSION:
Based on results found, significant data proves that homemade charcoal out of paper
waste is an effective way of recycling paper as well as a good source of biomass fuel source.
It emits little smoke and odor. Obviously, it is a lot cheaper than using fossil fuel or
electricity and this is a useful way to save money. Saving money through recycling
ultimately helps the environment. If we see a real benefit in our pockets then we are more
likely to support the recycling cause.

RECOMMENDATION:
After conducting the study, the researcher highly recommends this product. This is
just one of many ways that we can help the environment. Every step that we take, however
small, is one more towards helping and supporting the environment in which we live. Getting
everyone involved, from kids to adults, can help produce a better environment for many
generations to come.
DOCUMENTATION:
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1. Phares P. Parayno, Ph.D. and Mitzi Gay M. Busmente. Integration of Solid Waste
Management Tools in Specific European and Asian Communities (ISTEAC), URL
http://www.wadef.com/projects/isteac/StudyReport__Paper_Recycling_Research_Phi
lippines.Work_Results.pdf
ADB. 2004. The Garbage Book: Solid Waste Management in Metro Manila. Manila,
Philippines: Asian
Development Bank.
2. OISCA-CFP, Philippines Paper Charcoal Making, URL
http://oisca-cfp.jimdo.com/2012/09/20/philippines-paper-charcoal-making/
3. Roxanne McHenry, eHow Contributor, How to Make Paper Briquettes, URL.
http://www.ehow.com/how_6307765_make-paper-briquettes.html
4. Samantha Lowe, eHow Contribtor, DIY Biomass Briquette Presses, URL
http://www.ehow.com/how_8730652_diy-biomass-briquette-presses.html
5. Importance of Paper, URL,
http://www.boisechoices.com/boisechoices/importance-of-paper
6. Definition of paper, URL, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/paper
7. Definition of waste, URL, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/waste
8. Definition of biomass, URL,
http://www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk/portal/page?_pageid=76,15049&_dad=portal
Homemade Charcoal Out of Paper Waste
A SCIENCE INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
Submitted by:
Maegan K. Navarro
Mikaela E. Salonga
Elijah Mae T. Mandalunes
Virdave Gaycris M. Salvacion
Darah Ketryl D. Salvaña
Grade 4-Kiwi FL2
Submitted to:
Mrs. Dolita A. Payat
Science Moderator
July 2013

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Homemade Charcoal Out of Paper Waste

providing employment opportunities to thousands of workers. Unfortunately, it also

of the total municipal solid waste production.” 1

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

if this green charcoal is a very good source of biomass fuel.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS:

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

other recyclable materials such as sawdust.

the waste from paper.

can equally apply to both animal and vegetable derived material.8

Paper waste Laundry Starch

1. Shred or tear the paper.

7. Remove the pulp out of the mold.

likely to support the recycling cause.

Management Tools in Specific European and Asian Communities (ISTEAC), URL

2. OISCA-CFP, Philippines Paper Charcoal Making, URL

3. Roxanne McHenry, eHow Contributor, How to Make Paper Briquettes, URL.

4. Samantha Lowe, eHow Contribtor, DIY Biomass Briquette Presses, URL

5. Importance of Paper, URL,

6. Definition of paper, URL, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/paper

7. Definition of waste, URL, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/waste

8. Definition of biomass, URL,

A SCIENCE INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

Elijah Mae T. Mandalunes

Virdave Gaycris M. Salvacion

Darah Ketryl D. Salvaña

Grade 4-Kiwi FL2

Mrs. Dolita A. Payat

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