Paper Title
Evaluation of Waste Cotton Fibers As An Alternative Cellulose Source in the Paper Industry

Abstract
Solid waste continues to endanger lives due to the volume it covers and the hazardous impact it creates when disposed of. The textile sector, renowned as a major polluter due to its high production rates, is also the primary and never-ending source of waste sent to landfills. Although it is believed that wastes containing natural fibers are less dangerous than those containing synthetic fibers because they naturally decompose, even the most innocent-looking cotton fiber is exposed to harmful chemicals during growing and processing. These chemicals persist until the end of the product life cycle and thus continue to be a threat by contaminating the soil, air, and water. Paper-making, on the other hand, is a huge sector that relies on cellulose and cuts trees to produce it, and in recent years, with increased environmental awareness, the quest for an alternative sustainable source of cellulose to trees has accelerated. The goal of this study is to create paper that is made entirely of recycled cellulose. Both waste papers and waste cotton fiber will be used and the effects of introducing up to 75% waste cotton fiber on the paper's tensile strength and water absorption will be investigated. The findings reveal that cellulose pulp made from discarded cotton fibers is suitable for paper production and that adding cotton fibers that are longer than the fibers in wood pulp improves its mechanical qualities and water absorption capacity. The findings indicate that paper-making could be a viable alternative for recovering cotton waste. Keywords - Cotton Fiber, Cellulose, Paper-making, Recycling, Waste Fiber.