Abstract
Two massive wastes are cigarette butts (CB) and stone wool (SW), both representing a threat to the environment. Although the cellulose acetate filters (CAF) in CB are long-term degradable, SW soilless substrates are not. Here, a soilless substrate for growing ornamental plants was manufactured with CAF and compared to commercial SW substrate. CB treatment consisted of a washing in boiling water with a dramatic reduction of pollutants in CAF. Then, cleaned filters were separated, dried, carded to fibers, and subsequently compacted into plugs. The trace pollutants in recycled CAF substrate did not negatively affect the germination of Spartium junceum L. and Lavandula angustifolia Miller seeds as well as the root development of Salvia officinalis L. and Salvia rosmarinus Schleid. stem cuttings. Plants grown in recycled CAF showed a differential species-dependent change of pigments in comparison with those in SW, without compromising their photosynthesis performance. Overall, the results demonstrated that these plants can be well established and grow in recycled CAF, as comparable to SW substrate. This study highlights a novel and promising solution in CAF recycling by turning this litter into an efficient soilless substrate for growing ornamental plants, thus limiting the use of SW and indirectly decreasing its industrial waste flow.
Highlights
Over recent decades, artificial substrates other than soil in which plants are grown have been increasingly used in many greenhouse systems [1]
The results demonstrated that these plants can be well established and grow in recycled cellulose acetate filters (CAF), as comparable to stone wool (SW) substrate
In order to ensure a low content of remaining toxic compounds in the filters from treated cigarette butts (CB), filters obtained after the first cleaning process were subjected to a second washing in boiling water for 10 min, resulting in two wastewater samples, from the first and second boiling
Summary
Artificial substrates other than soil in which plants are grown have been increasingly used in many greenhouse systems [1]. One of the major greenhouse substrates in Europe is stone wool (SW) made by Grodan® , which is mainly in the form of slabs, blocks, or plugs of bonded fibers [2]. The production process of SW requires a high amount of energy, water, and raw material consumption. This process generates great environmental impacts due to the release of dust and toxic gaseous compounds [4]. SW substrates are preferably used in soilless systems because they are inert, sterile, easy to manage, and consistent in performance [3]. SW is usually discarded after one to sometimes three crop cycles, producing a high volume of waste [1]
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