Ohio State University Fact Sheet

Community Development

700 Ackerman Road, Suite 235, Columbus, OH 43202-1578

Absorbency of Newsprint

CDFS-125

Joe E. Heimlich
Sereana Howard

Newspaper is one of the most visible and, by volume, the most readily identifiable single material in household waste. The solid waste management crises in the United States is forcing communities to consider alternatives to landfilling of used materials. The growth in recycling programs collecting newspaper, the depletion of sources using printed newspaper, and other market factors intervened at the same time to create a tremendous glut of newspaper on the market. As an alternative, using newspaper for animal bedding appears very attractive. But, farmers have many questions that must be answered before bedding will be widely accepted as a viable alternative. One such question is on absorbency.

The absorbency of newsprint was tested through a series of trials. The first trials consisted of comparisons between different sizes and shapes of newsprint. The newsprint was cut into varying sizes, but individual trials contained a constant size or shape as a controlling factor. The sizes consisted of strips of full size newspapers (1" x 23", 2" x 23", and 3" x 23"), as well as 6" x 6" chopped squares, 3" x 2", and 2" x 3" pieces. These sizes represent sizes that are produced commercially. The 2" x 3" pieces were compared to other bedding materials in absorbency and saturation trials.

The absorbency tests were conducted on a flat surface to allow maximum absorbency of the newsprint. One ounce bundles of newsprint were used. The trial consisted of 100 milliliters of water poured over the newsprint and allowed to stand for one minute. Excess water was poured into a graduated cylinder and measured. The process was repeated until 96 or more milliliters of water was resumed. Usually, water was applied three times before 96 or more milliliters of water was resumed. This process constituted one trial. Three trials were completed for each size of newsprint and the mean figure was used for comparison. (See chart 1)

General observations indicate that chopped pieces tend to absorb more water initially. However, by the second addition of water, chopped paper was nearly saturated. Strips of newsprint continued to absorb water until the third application of water. By the third application of water, all sizes of newsprint were wet. The 2" x 3" chopped pieces of newsprint absorbed the most water on the initial application, with an average of 82 ml absorbed. The strips of paper absorbed between 58 and 78 milliliters on the initial application. Observations indicate that the 2" x 3" chopped pieces absorb more rapidly than other shredded or chopped newsprint. This size was used to compare newsprint absorbency to other bedding material.

Other bedding material currently used for animal comfort includes sawdust, wood chips, peanut shells, and straw. Samples of each bedding material were compared to newsprint for absorbency. One ounce samples of each material were tested using a flat surface to allow maximum absorbency. Water was applied to the material in 100 milliliter amounts, allowed to stand for the one minute, and excess water drained and was measured in a graduated cylinder. The water was applied only once to test for initial absorbency, but the three trials were completed and the mean amount was used to compare absorbency. (See chart 2)

Newsprint absorbed more water than the other forms of bedding (82ml). Sawdust absorbed 47 ml and wood chips absorbed 43 ml on the initial application of water. Straw absorbed 34 ml and peanut shells absorbed 23 ml on the average initial application.

Recommendations

As predicted, chopped paper absorbed more water than the shredded paper. Chopped pieces allow more newsprint fibers to be cut and thus allow increased efficiency of absorbency. The smaller pieces have better absorbency but are difficult to bale and transport due to the large amount of involuntary litter. Newsprint absorbed more water than other types of bedding materials, but becomes saturated due to the high rate of absorbency. Newsprint is preferable, if not more preferable, as other bedding materials when comparing absorbency. The recommended bedding material would be a half and half combination of straw and newsprint for easier team maintenance.

This fact sheet, one is a series, reports data from a study that examined newsprint as an alternative material for farm animals. The study was funded in part by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Litter Prevention and Recycling.