Leachate & groundwater: the hidden risk under every dumpsite
The liquid that seeps from decomposing waste can contaminate soil and water. Faster, cleaner decomposition shrinks the problem.
What leachate is
As waste breaks down and rain percolates through it, it produces leachate — a contaminated liquid rich in organic load, ammonia and heavy metals that can migrate into soil and groundwater.
Why slow decomposition makes it worse
The longer waste sits in an anaerobic, unmanaged state, the more leachate it generates and the more toxic it becomes. Accelerating and cleaning up the decomposition process reduces both the volume and the organic strength of leachate.
The biological lever
By metabolising the organic fraction quickly and re-establishing a functioning microbial community, OED reduces the load that drives leachate — complementing engineered liners and collection systems rather than replacing them.
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