What if Waste Could Clean Our Water?
From discarded seashells to broken glass, Professor Aisling O’Sullivan and her team at UC are flipping the script on pollution. Their bold mission? To reverse freshwater contamination within a generation—using regenerative, low-cost materials made from everyday waste.
At UC’s Centre for EcoLogical Technology Solutions, Aisling’s team transforms waste into powerful tools like filters and absorbents that remove nutrients, heavy metals, and emerging contaminants from stormwater and wastewater. Patented technologies like the Storminator™ show how engineering with nature—not against it—can reduce our dependence on imported raw materials, lower supply chain risks, and deliver real environmental impact.
This talk dives into how material circularity and sustainable innovation isn’t just clever—it’s essential. By rethinking what we throw away, we can reshape how we value water, waste, and the future itself. Because sometimes, the answer to our biggest problems is hiding in the bin.
Bio
Professor Aisling O'Sullivan, Director of the Centre for EcoLogical Technology Solutions (CELTS), Civil and Environmental Engineering is on a mission to make a measurable and sustained impact in reversing water quality within a generation. She is also a teacher, inventor, entrepreneur and mother of two. Her research team transforms everyday wastes into eco-friendly products in solving global freshwater challenges while advancing circular economy goals. Aisling’s approach shows how engineering in harmony with nature isn’t just smart economics—it’s “Eco-Logical.” Discover how her work empowers future innovators, commoditises wastes and reshapes our relationship with water, waste, and sustainability.
Event
Tuesday 16 September, 6:30pm @Two Thumb Manchester, 352 Manchester Street, Christchurch Central 8013
Also speaking at this location at 8:00pm is Dr Greg O'Beirne
