Story perspectives

New Bacterium Turns Food Waste into Renewable Gas

10/27/2025

Summary

Story summary

Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) identified a new bacterium in the Natronincolaceae family that converts food waste into renewable natural gas at Surrey's processing facility.
The Surrey facility processes 115,000 tonnes of food waste annually.
The bacterium thrives in high-ammonia environments, enabling methane production despite harsh conditions.
The findings were published in Nature Microbiology; UBC collaborates with FortisBC to study microbial communities, including those breaking down microplastics.

1 of 1

Story summary

Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) identified a new bacterium in the Natronincolaceae family that converts food waste into renewable natural gas at Surrey's processing facility.
The Surrey facility processes 115,000 tonnes of food waste annually.
The bacterium thrives in high-ammonia environments, enabling methane production despite harsh conditions.
The findings were published in Nature Microbiology; UBC collaborates with FortisBC to study microbial communities, including those breaking down microplastics.