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Thoughtful Thursday - Waterloo University Researchers are Using Microbes to Break Down Microplastics

Writer's picture: Josiah ChungJosiah Chung

Hello, this is Haley here with our first ever Thoughtful Thursday article! This is going to be a weekly series where a member of our team will share their thoughts on an article they found interesting, usually on the topic of research or innovations on sustainability and our environment.

This month, researchers at Waterloo University accomplished some great work with bacteria. As an Environmental Technology student, I love seeing advancements like these in wastewater treatment.


Microplastics are a pollutant of growing concern! These tiny particles enter our ecosystems through many methods, but most commonly they enter waterways through the wastewater system. These plastics can be incredibly harmful to aquatic life when ingested. 

Researchers at Waterloo University are tackling these harmful pollutants with bacteria found in wastewater. Despite being seen as gross, a little engineering can help make the bacteria a major player in the fight against microplastics!


Polyethylene terephthalate is a plastic found in food and beverage containers, clothing fibers, and much more. These researchers have performed a gene exchange technique to alter the DNA of a bacteria already found in wastewater, now allowing it to biodegrade this common microplastic pollutant. To me, this research gives hope for an overall reduction of microplastics entering our ecosystem and the negative impacts associated.


For more information on this innovative research, visit Waterloo News at: https://uwaterloo.cing-microplastics-engineered-bacteriaa/news/remov

Follow @_second_sole on instagram for more information on how Second Sole is doing their part!

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