Minds On
Pulp and paper
Explore the following images.
What do you notice? What do you wonder?
Brainstorm some examples of common paper products. Next, consider the following questions:
- How might these products be manufactured?
- How might the manufacture of paper affect people, animals and the environment?
Press ‘Definition’ to explore an explanation of the term manufactured.
Manufactured articles or items are created from raw materials by and or on a large-scale using machines.
Action
Pulp and paper industry
The pulp and paper industry specializes in processing wood into a wide variety of pulp, paper, and paperboard products. These products are used in daily life in many forms, e.g., hygiene products and printing paper.
Explore the following steps in the manufacturing process.
What are the steps in the manufacturing process? Click the flip button to reveal each step.
Step 1
Collect raw materials.
The manufacturing process begins with cutting down trees to use as raw material.
Step 2
Prepare raw material.
The wood can be shredded by a machine or turned into a pulp by using chemicals and treating the wood at a high temperature.
Step 3
Bleach
The pulp is bleached to lighten its colour.
Step 4
Press and dry.
It is then dried and pressed in a paper machine to create a variety of different products.
Step 5
Product is shipped
The paper is shipped to various stores.
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Did You Know?
Did you know?
Did you know that the world’s first sheets of paper were created in ancient Egypt? Papyrus plants were cut in thin strips and then layered at right angles.
The pulp and paper industry creates many types of products. A few examples may be:
- Office paper
- Napkins
- Packaging (i.e. paper bags, cups and food wrapping)
- Newspaper
- Cardboard
- Wipes
- Labels and stickers
People use paper products everyday. What might be some of the impacts of the pulp and paper manufacturing process?
What are the impacts?
The pulp and paper manufacturing process creates large amounts of pollutants or chemicals which are added to the air. These pollutants and/or chemical can be harmful to plants, animals, and humans.
It also requires wood as its raw material. When we cut down many trees at a time, we risk causing deforestation. Deforestation is the removal or clearing of forested land. When we remove large areas of forested land, it affects air quality, disrupts communities, plants and animals in the area.
How does air pollution affect humans?
Based on the information in the infographic, what are some of effects of air pollution on human beings?
Description
Two children wearing masks. The title Air Pollution is behind them. Reasons for air pollution include an image of a car with smoke exiting the back with the label car exhaust, an image of a smoke stacks with the label industrial facilities, an image of a farm with the label agriculture, an image of plastics floating in the water with the label household and industrial waste, and an image of metal containers with the label radioactive objects. There is also a list of health effects including lung disease, heart disease, nasal irritation, headache, nausea, and dizziness.
How does air pollution affect the environment?
Press the following tabs to explore examples of how air pollution affects the environment.
The ozone layer is way up high in the Earth’s atmosphere and provides Earth with protection from sun rays. When certain forms of air pollution come in contact with the ozone layer it causes a chemical reaction.
This leads to the ozone layer breaking down so that it cannot absorb ultraviolet sun rays. Over time, as the ozone layer thins, there is a higher chance that the sun’s rays may cause damage to the skin and eyes of humans and animals.
Acid rain is another result of air pollution.
When certain pollutants are released into the air it can cause a chemical reaction. These pollutants can either rise into the Earth’s atmosphere or be carried away by the wind. As they rise into the atmosphere, they mix with water, oxygen and other air pollutants to form acid rain.
Acid rain can be damaging to forests, animals, and marine life.
Description
Infographic showing acid rain. An image of industrial plants with an arrow and the text ‘Sulfur burns forming Sulfur Dioxide’. Then in the cloud coming from the industrial plant is an arrow and the words ‘Carbon Dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere by industrial plants.’ Then an image of a cloud with an arrow in it and the words ‘Sulfuric and nitric acids are formed’. Then raindrops and an arrow pointing to a body of water with the words ‘Water becomes acidified by causing fish to die.’ Another arrow is pointing from the cloud to three trees with the words ‘The acid penetrates into the soil, plants are killed by acid rain. ‘The final arrow is pointing from the cloud to a series of buildings with the words ‘Sulfuric and nitric acids aggressively affect buildings.
As temperatures rise, polar ice caps and glaciers melt. If this continues, it could mean that with less ice the Earth will absorb more heat contributing to heat waves.
The soil in the Arctic is covered with permafrost. As the permafrost melts, gases that are in the soil are released which also contributes to creating more heat.
These changes, rising temperatures and melting, force animals who depend on sea ice to find new homes. If they cannot find a new home, global warming could result in some animals becoming endangered species.
Global connection
The United Nations (UN) is a group of many countries from around the world that have come together to create a better future for people and the environment. They have created 17 goals called the Sustainable Development Goals.
This learning activity is connected to Goal #12: Responsible Consumption and Production. This means everyone should ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Sustainable consumption and production will ensure efficiency, economic growth, and help the environment.
Research opportunity
Keeping goal #12 in mind, consider the following question:
- What might be some alternatives to paper products?
- Are there ways to change the manufacturing process to lower air pollution?
Before you respond, explore the Scientific Research Process to think about how we can use the information provided to answer our question. You may also conduct your own research.
Check out this video to learn about the steps of the Scientific Research Process.
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Investigate
Investigate
Complete the Research Graphic Organizer in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
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Question: What might be some alternatives to paper products? |
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Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Research Graphic Organizer
Explore the following organizations that are working to address the issue of air pollution. You may also conduct your own research. Use the Scientific Research Process to guide your thinking.
Press the following tabs to access information to complete your research.
UPM Pulp is a pulp and paper company based in Finland with pulp and paper mills in both Finland and Uruguay. They have created a Forest Action program which explores ways to grow and harvest wood in responsible ways and use sustainable alternatives.
One example is their use of eucalyptus wood. Eucalyptus trees grow quickly, and young trees grow within 10-12 years. The trees can grow in different types of soil and weather, and they do not need a lot of food and water to grow well.
UPM is also addressing deforestation of broadleaved trees in the forests of Finland. They are increasing the number of young trees that they are growing in plant nurseries. These types of trees help to increase the variety of forest trees, which helps to keep the forests strong and healthy.
Tree Planet is a company that was founded in 2010 as a tree-growing project. The co-founders Min-Cheol Jeong and Hyoung-Soo Kim created an app (game) where the user would take care of a tree from the time it was seed until it was fully grown. Once the virtual tree had gone through the life cycle, the company would plant a real tree in a forest. Their aim is to plant 100 million trees around the world by 2050.
“A 40-year-old tree absorbs 35.7 grams of fine dust in a year. It’s the equivalent [amount of dust] to a cup of espresso.”
– Min-Cheol Jeong
Gelatin films are an ideal food packaging material because they are low in cost, biodegradable (breaks down), and have good antibacterial (effective to protect against bacteria) properties. They are an environmental alternative to single-use plastics. These types of food packaging can sometimes be edible too!
Consolidation
Learning check!
The following cards contain items that fit together in a specific order (sequence). Put the items in each answer box in the correct order.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
Reflect on your research of solutions to pulp and paper pollution and your learning about the pulp and paper manufacturing process.
What kinds of solutions do you think are most sustainable?
Record your answer using a method of your choice.
Press ‘Definition’ to access the meaning of the word sustainability.
Sustainability is the idea that we need to live in our environment without using too much of the earth’s natural resources. We want to be able to use what we need and make sure that natural resources do not run out for future generations.
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
Learning goals
We are learning to…
- use a scientific research process to conduct investigations on the pulp and paper industry
- assess the impacts on society and the environment of various processes used in the manufacture of common products
- analyze long-term impacts of human uses of energy and natural resources, on society and the environment, including climate change and suggest solutions to lessen the impact
Success criteria
I am able to…
- brainstorm different types of everyday objects that are made of pulp and paper
- explore the pulp and paper manufacturing process and identify its impact on humans, animals and the environment
- use the scientific research process to examine sustainable alternatives and solutions to the negative impacts of the pulp and paper manufacturing process