This article investigates the biodegradability of cellulose diacetate, the most widely used form of cellulose acetate, in freshwater and marine environments using standardized laboratory simulation methods. Motivated by ongoing discussions about cellulose acetate’s role in litter and microplastic pollution, particularly from cigarette filters, the study evaluates how cellulose diacetate behaves in freshwater, seawater, and seawater-sediment systems.

This article examines cellulose acetate’s position within the broader polymer landscape and evaluates its potential as a sustainable biopolymer. It reviews the environmental and policy drivers behind the growing interest in bio-based materials and compares cellulose acetate with other biopolymers and conventional plastics across key sustainability criteria, including feedstock sourcing, energy and water use, greenhouse gas emissions, biodegradability, environmental impacts, and economic considerations.

This article explores how foaming can enhance the sustainability performance of cellulose acetate by creating lightweight, porous cellulose diacetate (CDA) materials that use less material while degrading more rapidly in marine environments.

This article examines meso- and microplastic pollution along German Baltic and North Sea coastlines through a large-scale citizen science initiative. While covering all major plastic types, the study is especially relevant to cellulose acetate because cigarette filter fibers - which are often deemed one of the most common forms of plastic litter in coastal environments - were included among the plastic particles assessed.

This article investigates the environmental degradation of cellulose diacetate (CDA), a widely used form of cellulose acetate, in marine conditions. Using films, fibers, and foam materials exposed to flowing natural seawater, the study examines how native microbial communities colonize and break down CDA over time.