Composting is an effective methodology for the treatment of organic waste like pig manure (PM) before
land application. However, nitrogen loss through NH3 volatilization during the thermophilic phase is one
of the major disadvantages of composting. The presence of Cu and Zn in compost arising from pig feed
additives is also an issue. In this study the effects of bamboo charcoal (BC) and bamboo vinegar (BV)
added to composting piles on nitrogen conservation and immobility of Cu and Zn during PM composting
was investigated. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) loss and mobility of Cu and Zn decreased with increased
BC addition. TKN loss and mobility of Cu and Zn in the treatment with 9% BC at the end of composting
significantly decreased by 65%, 35% and 39% respectively, as compared to the control. Addition of BV further
decreased TKN loss. After composting, TKN loss in the treatment with 3% BC + 0.4% BV was 23% lower
than that in the treatment with 9% BC. The final results indicated that by adding BC or BC + BV into PM
composting is an effective method to reduce TKN loss and control the mobility of Cu and Zn.