Mechanical Testing of Paper and Packaging Materials Made From Agricultural Wastes

Authors: Andie Zion, Julian Silverman, Austin Marshalek

SUNY Campus: Fashion Institute of Technology

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: Old Union Hall

Presentation #: 49

Timeslot: Session B 10:15-11:15 AM

Abstract: Annually, about 150 million tons of garbage are sent to landfills in the United States alone. One abundant type of waste is paper materials. In a digital world, there is still large demand for paper products, with over 400 million tons a year being used globally. Traditional papermaking involves harsh chemicals like sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfate, and hydrogen peroxide, along with machinery that takes a lot of energy. Industrial paper uses around 40% of the world’s industrial wood, accounting for deforestation. The art of papermaking has been around long before industrialization and involves the use of natural materials like leaves, tree bark, hemp, and bamboo. By focusing on extracting cellulose, the main component of paper, from waste, we can turn to a variety of cellulosic sources to produce high-quality upcycled paper products. Here, we show how waste feedstocks, including corn husks, banana peels, oak leaves, and lint, can be effectively repurposed into paper and packaging materials with comparable chemical and material properties to their commercial counterparts. Through experimentation and testing, we have been able to determine that paper made from 100% recycled components measures up to traditionally produced paper in strength and durability for decorative and packaging applications. Without introducing harsh chemicals and machine-based processes, paper can be produced on smaller scales and with varying components, making it accessible to anyone. Since these materials would have been sent to landfill, this process effectively diverted waste, giving new life to these materials.