A process for recycling cellulose acetate ester waste comprising the steps of: providing a reactor, adding cellulose acetate ester waste and a hydrolyzing agent to the reactor to create an agent/waste mixture followed by hydrolyzing the cellulose acetate ester waste by agitating and heating the agent/waste mixture for a period of time to create a hydrolyzed mixture. The hydrolyzing agent is then distilled and/or separated from the hydrolyzed mixture followed by separating and removing solid material from the hydrolyzed mixture to create a water soluble product stream which includes monosaccharides, polysaccharides, partially hydrolyzed cellulose, acetic acid, or combinations thereof. The water soluble product stream is then collected.

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