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. NO scout may be charged. BSA councils must first contact Mr. R. before creating large quantities for scout camps, merit badge fairs, etc.

 
 
Req#
1

Tell the history of papermaking. Describe the part paper products play in our society 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. Tell what other uses are made of the trees and of the forest land owned by the pulp and paper industry.

  • Describe ways the industry plants, grows, and harvests trees.
  • Explain how the industry manages its forests so that the supply of trees keeps pace with the demand, and tell about one way the industry has incorporated a sustainable forestry concept.
  • Give two ways the papermaking industry has addressed pollution. 
 

Metso Paper
 		  

 
 
Req#
3

Describe two ways of getting fibers from wood explain the major differences. Tell why some pulps are bleached, and describe the process.  

 

Paper University

 
 
Req#
4
 Describe how paper is made. Discuss how paper is recycled. Make a sheet of paper by hand.
 

Paper University

 
 
Req#
5

Explain what coated paper is and why it is coated. Describe the major uses for different kinds of coated paper. Describe one other way that paper is 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 (15) pulp or paper products in your home. Show examples of ten (10) such products with your counselor.
 
 
          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

With your parent's and counselor's approval, do ONE of the following: 
a. Visit a pulp mill. Describe how the mill converts wood to cellulose fibers. 
b. Visit a paper mill and get a sample of the paper made there. 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 plant's products are made. 
d. Visit a recycled paper collection or sorting facility. Describe the operations there.

e. Using books, magazines, your local library, the Internet (with your parent's permission), and any other suitable research tool, find out how paper products are developed. Find out what role research and development play in the papermaking industry. Share what you learn with your counselor.
 

Metso Paper

 
 
Req#
8
 Find out about three career opportunities in the papermaking industry that interest you. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.
 

 
HELPFUL LINKS:

Pulp and Paper - BSA Advancement ID#: 91
Requirements revised 2006
 


 

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Webpage updated December 2008
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