"Anaerobic decomposition" refers to the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. It occurs when bacteria break down waste or dead organisms without needing oxygen to do so.
Full definition
The McKinney Landfill project, based at a closed landfill in McKinney, Texas, works to capture gases that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere
from anaerobic decomposition within the landfill.
and get blocked off from oxygen, which results in a slow break down process (
anaerobic decomposition) and the release of methane, a greenhouse gas.
This prevents
the anaerobic decomposition that would normally produce methane.