Paper and Pulp
Merit Badge


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Mr. R.

"What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork."

- Pearl Bailey 

 
Mr. R's Paper & Pulp Passport© (a 4"x5" pocket guide) will soon be available in PDF format to print out for non-profit use (requires Adobe Acrobat© Reader).  Passports are copyrighted, but scouts and troops may use them free of charge if they create only one per scout.  BSA councils must first contact Mr. R. before creating large quantities for scout camps, merit badge fairs, etc. (a small nominal fee will be charged).

 
 
Req#
1
 Tell the history of papermaking. Describe the part paper products play in our culture and economy. 
 

CBBAG
 
According to tradition, paper was first made in AD 105 by Ts'ai Lun, a eunuch attached to the Eastern Han court of the Chinese emperor Ho Ti. 
 

 
 
Req#
2
 List the trees which are the major sources of papermaking fibers 
a. Tell what other uses are made of the trees and of the forest land owned by the pulp and paper industry. 
b. Describe ways the industry plants, grows, and harvests trees. 
 

Metso Paper
 		  

 
 
Req#
3
 Describe two ways of getting fibers from wood. 
a. What are the major differences? 
b. Why are some pulps bleached? Describe this process.
 

Paper University

 
 
Req#
4
 Describe how paper is made. Make a sheet of paper by hand using the process described.
 

Paper University

 
 
Req#
5
 What is coated paper and why is it coated? Describe the major uses for different kinds of coated paper. In what other ways are papers changed by chemical or mechanical means to make new uses possible?
 

Metso Paper
 
Definition: Paper with a clay or other coating applied to one or both sides is coated paper. The coating can be dull, gloss, matte, or other finishes. Coated paper generally produces sharper, brighter images and has better reflectivity than uncoated paper. 
http://desktoppub.about.com/library/glossary/bldef-coatedpaper.htm
 

 
 
Req#
6
 Make a list of fifteen pulp or paper products in your home. Show samples of ten such products.
 
 
          When you think of paper products, you probably think of things like newspapers, notebooks, magazines, and posters. But about 5,000 other products are also made of paper and papermaking by-products. Can you think of any? Board games, candy wrappers, money, microwave packaging - even your laminated desk top - are all examples of products made from paper.
Paper University

 
 
Req#
7
 Do one: 
a. Visit a pulp mill. Describe how they convert wood to cellulose fibers. 
b. Visit a paper mill and get a sample of the paper. Describe the processes used for making this paper. Tell how it will be used. 
c. Visit a container plant or box plant. Describe how the product was made. 
d. Visit a printer or newspaper plant to learn how they use paper. Describe the visit. Explain why particular types of paper were used.
 

Metso Paper

 
 
Req#
8
 Describe six of the major jobs in the pulp and paper industry.
 

 
HELPFUL LINKS:

Pulp and Paper - BSA Advancement ID#: 91
Requirements revised 2002
 


 

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Webpage updated December 2003
Webmaster, Mr. R.