Microorganisms in landfills are the key players in breaking down solid waste materials and in converting that waste to useful and recoverable, revenue-generating products such as renewable natural gas. However, the degradation of solid waste, including organic materials, is often slower than predicted, and for certain materials like plastics, they can persist in landfills for centuries. Since it is desirable to increase landfill degradation rates to conserve landfill airspace and to maximize renewable natural gas production, it is necessary to understand how these microorganisms are working together to break down solid wastes and what is limiting their degradation and natural gas production rates. To date, there is very little research on these landfill microorganisms, especially across multiple phases of landfill operation and depths. Come learn how UW-Madison’s Dr. Erica Majumder, Assistant Professor of Bacteriology, set out to learn more about landfill microorganisms and their role in converting solid waste to methane.