Previously unknown microbe turns food waste into energy

Researchers discover previously unknown microbe capable of solving global crisis: 'We noticed something odd'

Researchers have identified a new bacterium that plays a crucial role in turning food waste into renewable natural gas, helping turn a waste problem into an energy solution. The findings from researchers at the University of British Columbia were published in Nature Microbiology.  It was previously known that organic waste from landfills produces natural gas that can be captured, cleaned, and then upgraded to be usable fuel.  The process is as f…

Previously unknown microbe turns food waste into energy

When 115,000 tons of food waste hit Surrey's processing facility each year, an invisible army goes to work—billions of microbes convert everything from banana peels to leftover pizza into renewable natural gas (RNG). Now, UBC researchers have identified a previously unknown bacterium in the Natronincolaceae family that plays a crucial role in this process.

Revolutionary microbe enables resilient renewable energy from food waste

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 24, 2025 A research team at the University of British Columbia has discovered a new bacterium in the Natronincolaceae family that significantly contributes to producing renewable natural gas at Surrey Biofuel Facility. Each year, 115000 tonnes of food waste are processed as billions of microbes transform organic matter into energy. The facility's process centers on breaking food scraps into fatty acids,