Patent ID: 8147650

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials, the method comprising: shredding recycled newsprint into smaller particles to form cellulose particles with an average particle size of no greater than 30 mm in diameter; separating dust from the cellulose particles; treating the cellulose particles by using a hydrophobic chemical; providing a polymeric fibrous material including polymeric fibers, wherein the average length of the polymeric fibers is at least 51 mm; blending the cellulose particles and the polymeric fibers into a cellulose and polymeric fiber blend; and, heating the cellulose and polymeric fiber blend to a temperature at which the polymeric fibers begin to melt and to bond with the cellulose particles so as to form a product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials, wherein the product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials is capable of absorbing oil at least 15 times the weight of the product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials.