Pulp and Paper Merit Badge

Free Resources and Answers

Time: 2–4 weeks
Difficulty: Moderate
Setting: Indoor, site visits
Best For: Scouts interested in manufacturing, recycling, materials
Hands-On Level: Moderate
Eagle Required: No

When you work on the Pulp and Paper merit badge, you learn how paper is made and why it is important. You follow the process from raw materials to finished products. You also see how science and technology are used in the paper industry.

You explore different types of paper and the many ways people use them. You learn how paper is made for books, boxes, packaging, and other products. You also find out how recycling turns used paper into new materials and helps reduce waste.

As you complete the Pulp and Paper merit badge, you learn about careers in the industry and ways to conserve resources. You gain a better understanding of a material you use every day and the work that goes into making it.

Download the Pulp and Paper Merit Badge Requirements

Pulp and Paper Merit Badge Pamphlet

Pulp and Paper Merit Badge Check Off Sheet

Checklist for All Merit Badges

Help with Answers for Pulp and Paper Merit Badge Requirements

Find specific helps for some of the Pulp and Paper merit badge requirements listed below. Some of these resources will just give the answers. Others will provide engaging ways for older Scouts to introduce these concepts to new Scouts.

• Requirement 1: Papermaking
• Requirement 2: Industry
• Requirement 3: Trees
• Requirement 4: Making Paper
• Requirement 5: Coated Paper
• Requirement 6: Paper Products
• Requirement 7: Visit or Explore
• Requirement 8: Careers
• More Resources

Requirement 1: Papermaking History and Importance

What You Need To Do

Describe how papermaking developed over time. Include the role paper products play in daily life, business, jobs, and the economy.

Helpful Tips

• Paper was first made in China about 2,000 years ago.
• Cai Lun is often linked with an early paper-making process.
• Early paper used materials such as tree bark, cloth, and old fishing nets.
• Papermaking methods later spread to other parts of the world.
• Machines developed in the 1800s made paper faster and cheaper to produce.
• Paper is used for books, schoolwork, packaging, tissues, printing, and many other products.
• Businesses use paper for shipping, advertising, records, and product packaging.
• The paper industry supports jobs in forestry, factories, transportation, product design, and recycling.
• Pulp is a mixture of plant fibers and water used to make paper.
• Recycling turns used paper into material for new paper products.
• Paper production depends on natural resources, energy, workers, machines, and transportation.

Resources

• The History of Paper From Ancient China to Modern Times (video)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout organize the history into a simple timeline.
• Ask for examples of paper products used at home, school, and local businesses.
• Encourage the Scout to connect paper products with jobs and industries.
• Check for both parts of the requirement: history and the role of paper in society and the economy.

Requirement 2a: Growing and Harvesting Trees

What You Need To Do

Describe how the pulp and paper industry plants, grows, and harvests trees for paper products.

Helpful Tips

• Many paper companies get wood from managed forests and tree farms.
• Tree species are chosen based on climate, soil, growth rate, and the type of paper being made.
• Young trees may be planted by hand or with machines.
• Forest managers check tree growth, health, insects, disease, and fire risk.
• Thinning removes selected trees so the remaining trees have more space, sunlight, water, and nutrients.
• Trees are harvested when they reach the right size and age.
• Harvesting equipment may include chainsaws, harvesters, skidders, and trucks.
• Some areas are replanted after harvest, while others grow back through natural regrowth.
• Good harvesting methods protect soil, streams, and nearby plants.

Resources

• How They Grow Trees for Paper Manufacture (video)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout follow the full cycle from planting to harvest.
• Use photos or diagrams of managed forests and harvesting equipment.
• Ask the Scout to describe what happens before and after trees are cut.
• Keep the focus on how trees become a renewable source of wood.

Requirement 2b: Keeping Up With Demand

What You Need To Do

Explain how the pulp and paper industry manages forests so the supply of trees can keep pace with the need for wood.

Helpful Tips

• Forest managers plan harvests years in advance.
• New trees are planted or allowed to grow naturally after harvesting.
• Trees of different ages may be grown in different areas.
• Growth rates are measured to estimate how much wood will be available in the future.
• Thinning can improve the growth of healthy trees.
• Forest managers protect young trees from disease, insects, and fire.
• Soil and water are protected so forests can keep producing healthy trees.
• Wood from different sources can help meet demand, including recycled paper and leftover wood from other industries.
• Careful planning helps prevent harvesting more trees than the forest can replace.

Resources

• Forest Management (video)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout connect forest growth rates with future wood needs.
• Ask the Scout to compare harvesting trees with planting and regrowth.
• Use a simple cycle diagram to show how managed forests continue producing wood.
• Check for a clear answer about keeping supply in pace with demand.

Requirement 2c: Sustainable Forest Management

What You Need To Do

Describe how the pulp and paper industry uses sustainable forest management, often called SFM.

Helpful Tips

• Sustainable forest management balances wood production with care for forests.
• Harvested areas are replanted or allowed to grow back naturally.
• Forest managers protect streams, wetlands, and soil.
• Wildlife habitat may be protected by leaving certain trees and forest areas in place.
• Biodiversity means the variety of plants and animals in an area.
• Forest managers check tree health and forest conditions over time.
• Wood waste can be used for other products or as a source of energy.
• Certification programs can set standards for responsible forest management.
• The Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative are two examples of certification programs.
• Sustainable practices help forests provide wood, wildlife habitat, clean water, and other benefits over time.

Resources

• Sustainable Forestry (video)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout connect SFM with both forest use and forest protection.
• Ask for specific examples instead of a general definition.
• Encourage the Scout to include soil, water, wildlife, and future tree growth.
• A local forestry example can make the topic easier to explain.

Requirement 2d: Reducing Pollution

What You Need To Do

Describe two ways the papermaking industry has reduced pollution.

Helpful Tips

• Papermaking uses large amounts of water during production.
• Wastewater treatment systems remove fibers, chemicals, and other materials from used water.
• Treated water must meet standards before it is released.
• Air pollution controls can trap particles and reduce harmful gases from mill equipment.
• Scrubbers and filters are examples of pollution-control equipment.
• Cleaner fuels can reduce some types of air pollution.
• Recycling paper can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
• Using wood scraps and other mill leftovers for energy can reduce waste.
• Mills may reuse water during production to reduce water use and wastewater.
• Choose two methods and describe how each one reduces pollution.

Resources

• Green Spotlight on the Paper Industry (video)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout choose two clear pollution-control methods.
• Ask the Scout to describe how each method works.
• Wastewater treatment and air pollution controls make a simple pair.
• Keep the discussion focused on actions used by the papermaking industry.

Requirement 3: Trees Used for Papermaking

What You Need To Do

Name at least four types of trees that provide fibers for making paper.

Helpful Tips

• Softwood trees have long fibers that help make strong paper.
• Pine is a common softwood used for paper and packaging.
• Spruce has long fibers that add strength to paper.
• Fir is another softwood used in many paper products.
• Hardwood trees have shorter fibers that help make smoother paper.
• Birch is often blended with other fibers.
• Maple can be used for smooth paper products.
• Oak can provide short fibers for some types of paper.
• Other common papermaking trees include aspen, poplar, eucalyptus, and hemlock.
• Be ready to name at least four specific trees.

Resources

• What Kind of Tree Does Paper Come From (video)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout choose at least four actual tree types.
• Encourage a mix of softwoods and hardwoods.
• Use local tree examples when possible.
• Check for specific names instead of broad groups alone.

Requirement 3a: Other Uses for Trees and Forestland

What You Need To Do

Discuss other ways trees and forestland owned by the pulp and paper industry are used.

Helpful Tips

• Some trees provide lumber for buildings, furniture, and flooring.
• Smaller pieces of wood can be used for particleboard or fiberboard.
• Bark, sawdust, and wood scraps can be used to make energy.
• Managed forests can provide habitat for birds and other wildlife.
• Some forestland may be used for hiking, hunting, camping, or other recreation.
• Forests help protect soil from erosion.
• Trees can help store carbon and support clean air.
• Forests can help protect streams and water supplies.
• One forest may provide wood, wildlife habitat, recreation, and other benefits.
• Forest managers plan for several uses of the land at the same time.

Resources

•  Purposes and Techniques of Forest Management (website)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout look beyond paper production.
• Ask for examples involving wood products, wildlife, recreation, and the environment.
• Use a local managed forest as an example when possible.
• Encourage the Scout to describe several uses of the same land.

Requirement 3b: Getting Fibers From Wood

What You Need To Do

Describe two ways fibers are separated from wood. Explain the main differences between the two methods.

Helpful Tips

• Mechanical pulping uses machines to grind or tear wood apart.
• Heat and pressure may help separate the fibers.
• Mechanical pulping uses a large part of the wood.
• Much of the lignin stays with the fibers.
• Paper made from mechanical pulp can be weaker and may yellow over time.
• Newsprint is one common use for mechanical pulp.
• Chemical pulping uses chemicals to separate the wood fibers.
• The chemicals remove much of the lignin that holds fibers together.
• Chemical pulp usually makes stronger and longer-lasting paper.
• Chemical pulping produces less pulp from the same amount of wood.
• The main differences include how the fibers are separated, how much lignin remains, and the strength of the final paper.

Resources

• From Tree to Paper (video)

Leader Tips

• Use a simple side-by-side comparison of mechanical and chemical pulping.
• Help the Scout focus on the main differences between the two methods.
• Ask how each process affects paper strength and color.
• Make sure both methods are clearly described.

Requirement 3c: Bleaching Pulp

What You Need To Do

Tell why some pulp is bleached and describe the main steps in the bleaching process.

Helpful Tips

• Some paper products need pulp with a lighter or brighter color.
• Office paper, books, and some packaging often use bleached pulp.
• Lignin gives wood and pulp much of their natural brown color.
• Lignin can also cause paper to yellow as it ages.
• Bleaching removes or changes remaining colored materials in the pulp.
• The pulp may go through several treatment stages.
• Chemicals are added to remove color and brighten the fibers.
• The pulp is washed between stages.
• Washing removes dissolved materials and leftover chemicals.
• Modern mills use controlled bleaching systems to reduce pollution.
• The final level of brightness depends on the paper product being made.

Resources

• Bleaching (video)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout connect bleaching with color, brightness, and aging.
• Use a simple process order: treat, wash, repeat as needed.
• Avoid getting stuck on long lists of chemicals.
• Check for both parts of the requirement: why pulp is bleached and how the process works.

Requirement 4: Making and Recycling Paper

What You Need To Do

Describe how paper is made and recycled. Then make one sheet of paper by hand.

Helpful Tips

• Paper starts with fibers from wood, recycled paper, or other plant materials.
• The fibers are mixed with water to make pulp.
• The pulp is spread onto a moving screen to form a thin layer.
• Water drains through the screen and leaves the fibers behind.
• Presses remove more water from the wet sheet.
• Heated rollers dry the paper.
• The finished paper may be smoothed, coated, cut, or rolled.
• Paper recycling starts with collecting and sorting used paper.
• Recycled paper is mixed with water and broken into fibers again.
• Ink, glue, staples, and other unwanted materials are removed.
• Recycled fibers may be mixed with new fibers before new paper is made.
• To make paper by hand, tear used paper into small pieces and soak it in water.
• Blend the soaked paper and water into pulp.
• Spread the pulp over a fine screen and let the water drain.
• Press the wet fibers flat and let the sheet dry completely.

Resources

• Production of Paper (video)
• From Tree to Sheet: How Paper Is Made | Unveiling the Manufacturing Process (video)
• How to Make Handmade Paper from Recycled Materials (video)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout follow the process from pulp to finished paper.
• Compare the steps for making new paper and recycled paper.
• Provide close supervision when using a blender or other equipment.
• Make sure the Scout completes an actual handmade sheet of paper.

Requirement 5: Coated and Changed Paper

What You Need To Do

Explain what coated paper is and why coatings are used. Describe uses for different coated papers and one other way paper can be changed for a new use.

Helpful Tips

• Coated paper has a layer added to its surface.
• Common coating materials include clay and calcium carbonate.
• Coating can make paper smoother and improve print quality.
• Gloss-coated paper has a shiny surface and is often used for magazines, brochures, and photos.
• Matte-coated paper has less shine and is often used for books and catalogs.
• Satin-coated paper has a finish between glossy and matte.
• Coatings can help ink stay near the surface instead of soaking into the paper.
• This can make pictures and colors look sharper.
• Paper can also be changed by lamination.
• Lamination adds a thin plastic layer to the paper.
• Laminated paper is stronger and more resistant to water, stains, and tearing.
• Menus, maps, signs, and identification cards may be laminated.
• Other chemical or mechanical changes can include embossing, waterproofing, or adding a special finish.

Resources

• Coated vs. Uncoated Paper (video)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout compare glossy, matte, and satin paper samples.
• Provide real examples from magazines, catalogs, packaging, or menus.
• Ask the Scout to connect each paper treatment with its purpose.
• Make sure the Scout covers both coated paper and one other method of changing paper.

Requirement 6: Paper Products at Home

What You Need To Do

Make a list of 15 pulp or paper products found in your home. Share examples of 10 of the products with your counselor.

Helpful Tips

• Look in several rooms instead of choosing everything from one place.
• Check the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, office, and garage.
• Include thin paper, thick paperboard, tissue products, and packaging.
• Some products may be made from new fibers, recycled fibers, or both.
• Paperboard is thicker than regular paper and is often used for boxes.
• Tissue products use soft fibers for items such as toilet paper and paper towels.
• Packaging often uses stronger fibers to protect products.
• Choose items you can easily bring or show to your counselor.
• Make your list before picking the 10 examples you will share.
• Check off each product as you collect it.

Products You Might Find at Home

• Printer paper
• Notebook
• Book
• Magazine
• Newspaper
• Paper towel
• Toilet paper
• Napkin
• Paper plate
• Envelope
• Wrapping paper
• Cardboard box
• Egg carton
• Paper shopping bag
• Sticky note
• Greeting card
• Cereal box
• Paper straw
• Coffee filter
• Paper receipt

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout look for products in several parts of the home.
• Encourage a mix of paper, paperboard, tissue, and packaging products.
• Let the Scout choose the 10 examples to share.
• Check for a complete list of 15 before reviewing the examples.

Requirement 7a: Visit a Pulp Mill

What You Need To Do

With approval from your parent or guardian and counselor, visit a pulp mill. Describe how the mill changes wood into cellulose fibers.

Helpful Tips

• Cellulose fibers are the main fibers used to make paper.
• Logs may be cleaned and stripped of bark before processing.
• The wood is cut into small chips.
• Mechanical pulping uses machines to separate the fibers.
• Chemical pulping uses chemicals to remove lignin and free the fibers.
• The pulp is cleaned to remove dirt and other unwanted material.
• Some pulp is bleached to make it lighter or brighter.
• Finished pulp may be stored, dried, or sent to a paper mill.
• Take notes during the visit so you can describe the steps in order.
• Ask which pulping method the mill uses.

Resources

• How Is Paper Made Today? (website)

Leader Tips

• Help arrange approval and visit details before the trip.
• Encourage the Scout to prepare a few questions in advance.
• Guide the Scout to follow the process from wood to finished pulp.
• Review the Scout’s notes after the visit.

Requirement 7b: Visit a Paper Mill

What You Need To Do

With approval from your parent or guardian and counselor, visit a paper mill. Get a sample of paper made there, describe how it is made, and tell how it will be used.

Helpful Tips

• Paper mills turn pulp into finished paper products.
• Pulp is mixed with large amounts of water.
• The watery pulp moves onto a screen where water begins to drain.
• The remaining fibers form a wet sheet.
• Presses remove more water from the sheet.
• Heated dryers remove the remaining moisture.
• The paper may be smoothed, coated, cut, or rolled.
• Different finishing steps depend on the final use of the paper.
• Ask what type of paper the mill makes.
• Ask where or how the finished paper will be used.
• Keep the paper sample to share with your counselor.

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout arrange approval before the visit.
• Encourage questions about both the process and the finished product.
• Guide the Scout to connect the paper sample with the steps used to make it.
• Make sure the Scout covers how the paper will be used.

Requirement 7c: Visit a Container or Box Plant

What You Need To Do

With approval from your parent or guardian and counselor, visit a container plant or box plant. Describe how the plant makes its products.

Helpful Tips

• Many shipping boxes are made from corrugated fiberboard.
• Corrugated fiberboard has flat paper layers called liners.
• A wavy middle layer is called fluting.
• The fluting adds strength and helps protect items inside the box.
• Machines glue the layers together.
• Large sheets are cut to the needed size.
• Machines add folds, slots, and other shapes.
• Some boxes are printed with names, logos, or product information.
• Finished boxes are folded flat for shipping.
• Ask how the plant tests boxes for strength.
• Follow one product from the raw material to the finished box.

Resources

• Corrugated Box Companies Listings (website)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout focus on the order of the manufacturing steps.
• Encourage the Scout to ask about different types of boxes.
• Use a real corrugated box to review liners and fluting.
• Check for a clear description of how the product is made.

Requirement 7d: Visit a Paper Recycling Facility

What You Need To Do

With approval from your parent or guardian and counselor, visit a recycled paper collection or sorting facility. Describe the work done there.

Helpful Tips

• Used paper arrives from homes, businesses, schools, and other sources.
• Workers and machines sort paper by type and quality.
• Common groups include cardboard, office paper, and newspaper.
• Unwanted materials must be removed from the paper.
• Sorted paper may be pressed into large bundles called bales.
• Bales are easier to store and transport.
• The sorted paper is sent to a mill for recycling.
• At the mill, used paper can be mixed with water and broken into pulp.
• Ink, glue, and other materials may be removed before new paper is made.
• Ask what happens to paper that cannot be recycled.
• Take notes about each step from arrival to shipping.

Resources

• Discover How Paper is Sorted for Recycling! (video)
• How Is Paper Recycled? (video)
• Recycling Centers in the US (website)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout arrange approval and safety details before the visit.
• Encourage questions about sorting and contamination.
• Guide the Scout to follow the paper from arrival to its next destination.
• Review the main operations after the visit.

Requirement 7e: Research Paper Product Development

What You Need To Do

Research how new paper products are developed and the role of research and development in the industry. Share your findings with your counselor.

Helpful Tips

• Research and development is often called R&D.
• R&D teams test new products and improve existing ones.
• A new paper product often starts with a need or problem.
• Researchers may test different fibers, coatings, chemicals, or designs.
• Tests may check strength, weight, smoothness, water resistance, or print quality.
• Products may go through many tests before being sold.
• R&D can help reduce energy use and waste.
• Researchers may find new ways to use recycled fibers.
• New products can include stronger packaging, lighter paper, or paper with special coatings.
• R&D also helps mills improve machines and production methods.
• Use books, magazines, library sources, or reliable websites for your research.
• Keep notes on both product development and the role of R&D.

Resources

• Revolutionizing the Paper Industry (video)
• Top 10 Pulp and Paper Trends & Innovations in 2025 (website)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout choose reliable sources.
• Guide the Scout toward specific examples of new or improved paper products.
• Encourage the Scout to organize findings before meeting with the counselor.
• Check for both parts: product development and the role of R&D.

Requirement 8: Careers in the Papermaking Industry

What You Need To Do

Find three careers in the papermaking industry that interest you. Choose one and research the education, training, and experience needed, then discuss why the career interests you with your counselor.

Helpful Tips

• Start by choosing three careers connected to paper, forests, mills, recycling, or packaging.
• Pick careers that match your interests and skills.
• Look at the daily work done in each career.
• Choose one career for deeper research.
• Find the education needed for entry into the field.
• Check for college degrees, trade school, certificates, or apprenticeships.
• Find any job training or safety training required.
• Look for experience employers may want.
• Use job listings, career websites, schools, and industry sources.
• Be ready to tell your counselor why the work appeals to you.
• Include specific parts of the job you would enjoy.

Careers To Consider

• Forester
• Pulp and paper engineer
• Environmental scientist
• Chemical technician
• Mechanical technician
• Quality control specialist
• Recycling specialist
• Packaging designer
• Sales representative
• Research and development scientist
• Mill manager
• Safety officer
• Graphic designer
• Logistics coordinator
• Conservation specialist

Resources

• Why a Career in Pulp and Paper Pays Off (video)
• Career Opportunities at Catalyst Paper (video)
• Amazing Summer Internships for Students at Pulp and Paper (video)
• Working for International Paper (video)
• Jobs in the Paper Industry (website)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout choose three careers from different parts of the industry.
• Guide the Scout toward reliable career and education sources.
• Encourage specific reasons for choosing the final career.
• Check for education, training, experience, and personal interest.

More Merit Badge Resources

The Pulp and Paper merit badge helps Scouts understand how wood fibers become paper products used every day. It fits well in the merit badge program because it teaches science, industry, and resource awareness. Scouts learn how paper is made, how it is recycled, and how factories operate safely. This adds a practical and real-world topic to the wide range of badges, showing that Scouting includes skills connected to daily life.

This badge also connects to others that explore materials and the environment. A Scout who enjoys Pulp and Paper might also try Forestry, Sustainability, or Chemistry. These badges help Scouts see how natural resources are managed and used. The variety encourages them to explore many parts of science and industry.

Learn More about Scouts BSA

The Pulp and Paper merit badge supports the larger Scouts BSA program by building understanding and responsibility. Scouts learn how resources are harvested, processed, and conserved. This supports personal development and leadership because good leaders think about long-term impact.

It also supports citizenship. Scouts see how industry, workers, and communities depend on each other. They learn how recycling and wise use protect the environment. This helps them become thoughtful and informed members of their community.

What is the Pulp and Paper merit badge about?

The Pulp and Paper merit badge teaches Scouts how paper is made and why it is important. Scouts learn about forestry, recycling, and the science behind making paper products.

Why is the Pulp and Paper merit badge important?

This merit badge helps Scouts understand how paper products are made and how the industry protects the environment. It also shows how paper is used in everyday life and teaches about careers in the field.

Do I have to visit a mill to earn the Pulp and Paper merit badge?

Visiting a mill or facility is one option, but it’s not required. You can also research how paper is made and share what you learn with your counselor.

What activities do I do for the Pulp and Paper merit badge?

Scouts might visit a pulp mill, paper mill, or recycling center. You’ll also learn how trees are turned into paper, explore recycling, and even make a sheet of paper by hand.

What kinds of things will I learn for the Pulp and Paper merit badge?

You’ll learn about the papermaking process, how forests are managed, how paper is recycled, and how new paper products are developed. You’ll also discover careers in the industry.

Can I use recycled paper for the Pulp and Paper merit badge activities?

Yes! Recycling is an important part of the Pulp and Paper merit badge. You can make your handmade paper from recycled materials or learn how recycled paper is turned into new products.

Are there careers in the pulp and paper industry?

Yes, there are many careers! You can work as a forester, engineer, recycling specialist, or in research and development. The Pulp and Paper merit badge introduces you to these opportunities.

What is pulp, and why is it important?

Pulp is a mixture of wood or recycled fibers and water. It is the raw material used to make all kinds of paper products.

Why do we need to manage forests for paper?

Forests need to be managed so we always have enough trees for paper and other products. Forest management also protects wildlife and keeps forests healthy.

How does recycling help with papermaking?

Recycling saves trees, water, and energy. It turns old paper into new products and reduces waste. Recycling is a big part of the Pulp and Paper merit badge.

The Pulp and Paper merit badge helps Scouts explore the science, technology, and creativity behind making paper. From learning how trees are turned into pulp to understanding how recycling saves resources, Scouts discover how this everyday material connects to the environment and industry. This badge shows how paper is made and why it is important to manage forests responsibly.

Scouts earning the Pulp and Paper merit badge learn about sustainable forestry and how industries balance the need for wood with protecting the environment. They also investigate how paper is recycled and how waste is turned into new products. Making a sheet of paper by hand is a fun, hands-on way to experience the process.

Another exciting part of the Pulp and Paper merit badge is learning about careers in the industry. Whether it’s managing forests, designing packaging, or improving recycling, the field offers many opportunities for those interested in science, engineering, and sustainability. Scouts leave with a better understanding of how paper impacts their lives and the world.

This merit badge isn’t just about paper—it’s about problem-solving, creativity, and caring for natural resources. It’s perfect for Scouts who enjoy science, environmental studies, or hands-on projects.