2.13.1 What is animal waste?

Livestock feces and urine are the major animal waste products and the amounts of livestock feces and urine account for the greatest portion of domestic organic waste in Japan. The feces and urine contain many easily degradable organic materials and many nutrient materials, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. The quantity and quality of feces and urine are very different depending on the kind of livestock, weight, feed, amount of drinking water, breeding system, season, and livestock conditions. According to their characteristics, feces and urine are processed and stored or used by suitable methods. Other animal waste products include slaughterhouse residue and other by-products of meat processing.