logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
26m 48s

How is paper made?

American Public Media
About this episode

Paper is all around us. There’s toilet paper and pizza boxes, wrapping paper, and receipts. Most of the paper in the U.S. is made from trees, but it can be made out of all sorts of plant material – banana peels, cotton, rice, you name it!


Join guest host Rosie duPont and co-host Arya as they explore how paper is made (spoiler: most of it comes from trees!). Then, an old paper party hat named Crumplestiltskin will share how paper recycling works. To wrap things up, they’ll hear a real stumper of a mystery sound. You won’t want to miss it!


Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!


Today’s episode is sponsored by:


Up next
Jun 11
A big update about the Brains On Universe
We're moving the Brains On Universe Headquarters, and that means we have to stop putting out new episodes until we get settled. We know: not cool. But, our new home is going to be bigger and better and the absolute BEST. We can't wait until it's ready for you to visit.In the mean ... Show More
2m 56s
Jun 3
The life of a NASA astronaut
Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show:Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find ... Show More
35m 17s
May 27
How do weather stations predict the weather?
Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show:Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find ... Show More
28m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2016
90 - How to SORT Paper
I LOVE to sort paper! But I know even the strongest man will break out in a cold sweat at the thought of sorting a mountain of paperwork. This week in the podcast, I am walking you through how I think about paper and where it all goes. I don’t even think it is the sorting as much ... Show More
18m 24s
Apr 2024
Smologies #42: TREES with J. Casey Clapp
ANNOUNCEMENT: SMOLOGIES NOW HAS ITS OWN FEED! SUBSCRIBE  FOR NEW EPISODES EVERY THURSDAY. Subscribe to Smologies: https://pod.link/1746567248Do trees have feelings? How do they talk? Which trees can you use to make syrup? Do bananas really grow on trees? Possibly the world's most ... Show More
25m 23s
May 2024
Where did the Fortune Cookie come from?
When most of us think of fortune cookies, we think of those little folded cookies that come with Chinese food. But did you know that fortune cookies aren’t from China? So where did they come from? And why do we think of them as Chinese? Join Joy and co-host Harlem as they find an ... Show More
24m 3s
Dec 2021
2021 Holiday Episode featuring The Yule Cat, Kallikantzari, Christmas Spiders, & more
The month of December brings a whole host of traditions for people all across the world. For us on Unspookable, this time of year brings some of the strangest creepy creatures we get to see. After all – it wouldn’t be the holidays for us if we didn’t get to throw in something spo ... Show More
13m 29s
Apr 2022
Guest Episode! Cool Facts About Animals
During our recent Ocean Adventure season, we talked about some very awesome and unique creatures and plants that live in the ocean. One thing that any animal lover (or anyone living on earth) needs to learn more about is how to stop plastic pollution. Plastic pollution not only h ... Show More
43m 53s
Apr 2024
Episode 58: Skibidi Toilet
Last fall it felt like every other email, review, or topic recommendation we received mentioned a YouTube series that had captured the imaginations of our listeners and literally BILLIONS of young people around the world. If you haven't heard about these giant, singing, war monge ... Show More
15m 8s
Dec 2024
Leaf Blowers Revisited
This week on Flightless Bird, Rosabel slips on a leaf and David and Rob look back at one of their favourite episodes and what’s changed since it first aired: Leaf Blowers. They also read feedback on the American Girl episode - and there is a lot of it, including horror stories, a ... Show More
1h 3m
May 2022
Paper
Valentines, comic books, cigarette cards and more—all of these objects can be meaningful, but what does it mean to house them in a museum? Paper holds our memories, our stories, our fears, and our desires. How do conservators race against time to make them last? Enter the world o ... Show More
38m 35s
Dec 2024
Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton's Christmas Tree Shenanigans (5 Good News Christmas Stories)
Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton lighten the mood with a funny Christmas tree mishap. San Jose hosts the largest Christmas light maze in the U.S. Daniel and Kim's inspiring story of taking in family members highlights the importance of sticking together. Despite some vandalism of a ... Show More
5m 8s