EPA's research and demonstration studies for bioreactor landfills showed that a landfill using leachate recirculation can be designed and operated to increase the rate of waste stabilization. This process significantly increases the rate of biodegradation of the waste (similar to anaerobic composting), thereby reducing the waste stabilization period from five to 10 years (instead of 30 or more years) for a conventional “dry tomb” designed facility.

• Bioreactor Performance (PDF)(28 pp, 174 K, August 15, 2007, EPA530-R-07-007)
  Describes how leachate head maintenance, settlement, side slope stability, fire prevention, and gas collection were designed to protect human health and the environment at the five sites described in Section 4, and if any system enhancements were implemented after initial startup that improved operations.