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Composting is gaining popularity as a sustainable means for the recycling of organic waste, and this technique has positive implications for water quality protection, waste management, and sustainable farming. However, the nutrient content of compost, particularly compost made from municipal solid waste (MSW), is often not sufficient for use in large-scale agriculture. Therefore, the conservation of nitrogen in composting is a subject of current research interest. In this study, compostible MSW materials (yard trimmings and food scraps) were treated in pilot-scale batch reactors. Various process modifications and improvement techniques were tested in pilot-scale batches. The addition of shredded paper, strong acid, or acid-loaded bentonite clay to the batches all proved to be successful in increasing nitrogen concentrations by 25% to 125% compared to unmodified control batches. The collection of compost leachate also appears to be a viable technique to conserve nitrogen in MSW composting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]