We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effective Degradation of Cigarette Butts via Treatment with Old Landfill Leachates
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested whether old landfill leachate can degrade cigarette butts — a major source of cellulose acetate microplastics — and found that leachate treatment caused measurable breakdown of the filters. The study suggests that landfill leachates could potentially be repurposed to help manage this persistent form of plastic pollution.
In this paper, results of feasibility study on microplastics (MPs) assessment in leachates from the Latvian solid municipal landfill Getliņi are discussed. The application of leachates for the treatment of cigarette butts (CGB) was evaluated. Methods of fluorescent microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and FTIR-microscopy were used for the identification and characterization of MPs in the leachates and analysis of CGB. Presence of the secondary MPs (e.g., degraded polyolefin mixtures) was determined in the tested landfill leachates, while cellulose acetate (CA) was not determined in these products. The leachates were tested as potential media for the thermophilic (55°C) fermentation of CGB without air supply. Degradation of CGB was determined after one-week fermentation that was confirmed comparing the changes in FTIR spectra of CA prior and after the treatment. This study provoked a path for further experimental studies of controlled degradation of cigarette butts under natural conditions in landfill environments.
More Papers Like This
Recovery of cellulose acetate bioplastic from cigarette butts: realization of a sustainable sorbent for water remediation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a method to recycle cellulose acetate plastic from discarded cigarette filters — one of the world's most common litter items — and repurpose it into a sponge-like material that removes pollutants from water with over 79% efficiency, turning a major source of microplastic pollution into a useful cleanup tool.
Review on Recycling of Microplastics in Cigarette Butts
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined the problem of cigarette butt waste, noting that cellulose acetate filters take approximately 10 years to degrade and represent a globally pervasive source of microplastic pollution. The authors surveyed recycling approaches for cigarette butts including fiber recovery and use in construction materials.
A Review of Environmental Pollution from the Use and Disposal of Cigarettes and Electronic Cigarettes: Contaminants, Sources, and Impacts
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the environmental pollution caused by the use and disposal of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, including their role as a source of microplastic contamination. Cigarette butts made of cellulose acetate are minimally degradable and represent a major source of both bulk plastic and microplastic pollution, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. The study documents that cigarette butt leachate and nicotine are toxic to a wide range of organisms from microbes to mammals.
Effect of biofilm on the physicochemical characteristics and physiognomy of biodegradable microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Cigarette butts — the world's most littered item — contain cellulose acetate, a biodegradable plastic, and were studied to understand how biofilm formation affects their degradation in aquatic environments. While cellulose acetate can break down under ideal compost conditions, the study found that biofilm growth on the surface may slow degradation in natural water bodies, prolonging the release of microplastics and toxic chemicals. The findings raise questions about how 'biodegradable' cigarette filter materials truly are under realistic environmental conditions.
Cigarette butts as a microfiber source with a microplastic level of concern
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated whether cigarette butts are a significant source of microfiber pollution by analyzing smoked and unsmoked filters. They found that cigarette filters release large quantities of cellulose acetate microfibers, with smoked filters releasing even more than unsmoked ones due to degradation during use. The study identifies discarded cigarette butts as an overlooked but substantial contributor to microplastic pollution in the environment.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.