CTRI (Centre technologique des résidus industriels/Industrial Waste Technology Centre) has a huge microbial strain bank that we have isolated on different sites in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region that scientists can use according to interests. L’Association pour la santé publique du Québec (ASPQ or Quebec Public Health Association) has certified our microbiology laboratory as a level 2 containment laboratory. In addition to allowing us to widen the range of microorganisms that CTRI can handle, the requirements related to this permit compel us to work rigorously with high standards of quality. Biotechnologies can be applied to various fields, and this is the reason for which this laboratory acts in conjunction with other CTRI research groups to increase the value of waste from mines as well as from agriculture and forests.