Waterloo researchers awarded $2.5 million to advance a circular economy

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have received $2.5 million in funding to reimagine how waste materials — such as plastics, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and agricultural residues — can be converted into marketable products.

The funding was awarded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) as part of the National Science Foundation Global Centers initiative. Waterloo researchers are part of the Center for Innovative Recycling and Circular Economy (CIRCLE).    

As the planet faces the ongoing effects of climate change and the accumulation of pollution from plastic waste, CO2, methane, other gases and biogenic waste, it is clear that the pace of human development is unsustainable.

CIRCLE seeks to address these challenges through a multidisciplinary global collaboration involving 40 researchers from 18 academic institutions and industry partners.  The aim is to develop sustainable bioprocesses that reduce pollution and contribute to a circular economy by converting different types of waste into valuable commodities.  

Through this research, plastic waste could be transformed into biodegradable bioplastics or chemical products that are more valuable than the original material, providing a strong financial motive for companies to invest in recycling technologies. CO2 emissions could be captured and converted into useful commodities, such as fuels or materials, turning pollution into a source of revenue. 

“Our lives are based on oil and even if climate change were not a problem, that oil will run out,” says Dr. Christian Euler, lead PI for the Waterloo team. “We need to establish ways to circularize the stuff we use every day to keep material in a closed loop. Projects like this one will be critical to establishing a circular economy in the decades to come.” 

Dr. Christian Euler is leading the University of Waterloo research team that was recently awarded $2.5 million in funding. 

The interdisciplinary team will leverage different research strengths, from engaging in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, carbon capture, and material science, to developing downstream processes and applying machine learning to optimize efficiency. 

With a five-year funding commitment, the research group intends to develop the technical basis for next-generation bioprocesses and devise scale-up and deployment strategies. The integrative approach offers hope for a future where waste can be turned into resources that can help drive sustainable growth. 

The group will also play a vital role in training the next generation of scientists, engineers and policymakers. Funding will support up to 16 graduate students, including 14 PhD students to advance the field of waste conversion in the future. Students will be given opportunities to engage in collaborative research, travel to partner countries and interact with industrial partners building a professional network. 

Candidates who wish to apply to be part of this research group should have interests and be developing expertise in the following areas: synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, polymers, bioreactors, data science, optimization, advanced materials, and carbon capture and utilization. The group is now actively seeking graduate students to apply. 

Going beyond science and engineering, the initiative will explore policy research and community engagement. Research partners at Queen’s University will conduct policy research aimed at creating a robust framework for a circular economy. This will involve understanding how government policies can encourage the deployment of new waste conversion technologies and ensure they benefit a wide range of communities including Indigenous Peoples in both urban and remote communities.   

CIRCLE includes partners from Canada, the U.S., South Korea, the U.K., Australia, and Singapore along with 20 international industry partners. The Canadian team includes professors in the departments of chemical engineering and biology at the University of Waterloo, and School of Policy Studies at Queen's University. The Waterloo research team includes Dr. Joshua Pulsipher, Dr. Valerie Ward, Dr. Tizazu Mekonnen, Dr. Luis Ricardez-Sandoval, Dr. Yilan Liu and Dr. Trevor Charles.