Abstract
This study investigates the potential of utilizing native plant species of Libya, including palm trees and seaweeds, for cellulose extraction to promote waste reduction and circular economy practices. Despite their abundance along the coast and in the Sahara, these plant resources are often undervalued, leading to environmental issues from the accumulation of organic waste. The research employs a simple alkaline extraction technique using sodium hydroxide and sodium chlorate to recover cellulose from various plant waste sources. The cellulose yield varied signifcantly, ranging from 12 to 68%, with extracted samples displaying diverse morphologies and colors dependent on the species. Chemical analyses confrmed the successful extraction of cellulose, with no lignin present, and thermal stability assessments demonstrated characteristic degradation patterns. X-ray difraction results indicated high crystallinity indices, afrming the efectiveness of the extraction method. This research demonstrates the potential of using readily available methods to recover cellulose from renewable plant sources, contributing to environmental sustainability, economic development, and appreciation for L