There is less digestate byproduct when using the MED with an Anaerobic Digester (AD) than an AD without an MED because MED systems are highly efficient at breaking down organic waste into energy, leaving less residual material behind. In MEDs, for example, microbes such as anode-respiring bacteria are designed to break down organic waste thoroughly, converting it into valuable methane energy. As the organic matter is transformed into energy, the remaining undigested solid material, which would normally make up the digestate, is significantly reduced. These MED systems optimize the microbial breakdown process to extract as much energy as possible from the waste, which means less leftover material after the conversion.