The History Of Composting Laws And Their Evolution

Human composting, also known as soil transformation, natural organic reduction (NOR), or terramation, is a process of final disposition of human remains in which microbes convert a deceased body into compost. While human composting was common before modern burial practices and in some religious traditions, contemporary society has tended to favor other disposition methods. However, as of May 2023, human composting has become legal in seven US states: Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California, New York, and Nevada. The process of legalizing human composting varies from state to state, but it typically involves legislative advocacy and collaboration with lawmakers.

Human composting laws in Washington State

Human composting, also known as soil transformation, is the process of using microbes to convert a deceased body into compost. This practice is also called natural organic reduction (NOR) or terramation. While the natural decomposition of human corpses into soil is a long-standing tradition, a more rapid process was developed in the early 21st century by Katrina Spade, the founder of Recompose, a human composting company based in Seattle. This accelerated process involves encasing human corpses in wood chips, straw, and alfalfa until thermophile microbes decompose the body, speeding up the transformation to just 1-2 months.

Washington State was the first in the US to legalize human composting in 2019. The process of legalizing human composting in Washington State took roughly two years, with the following steps:

• Local representative, State Senator Jamie Pedersen, agreed to sponsor the bill after recognizing the benefits of more sustainable funeral choices for his constituents.
• A draft of the bill was introduced to the Washington State Senate.
• Through the winter and spring of 2019, Katrina Spade visited the state's capital, Olympia, to speak with legislators and explain the concept.
• A public affairs team was hired to help lobby for the bill.
• The bill moved through the Senate and the House, with members of the end-of-life community testifying in committee, including a chaplain, funeral directors, individuals, and death doulas.
• The bill passed and was signed by Governor Inslee on May 21, 2019, and went into effect in May 2020.

As of March 2020, there were three licensed human composting operators in Washington State, and the idea has gained momentum across the country, with new states passing and introducing legislation each year.

Colorado's human composting legislation

In 2021, Colorado became the second state to legalize human composting, following Washington. The legislation, known as House Bill 20-1060, authorizes human remains to be converted to soil using a container that accelerates the process of biological decomposition, also known as "natural reduction" or "natural organic reduction" (NOR).

The bill was first introduced in early 2020 by Colorado State Representative Brianna Titone, who partnered with Recompose, a company specializing in ecological death care. The bill received overwhelming support but was initially postponed due to budget concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Representative Titone, along with her colleague Representative Matt Soper, resurrected the bill during the next legislative session.

The bill passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis on May 10, 2021. It took effect on August 8, 2021.

The Colorado legislation allows human remains to be turned into soil through a natural reduction process, as long as it is not used for food for human consumption. The soil can be used for planting or donated to conservation efforts. This method of after-death disposition offers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial or cremation practices.

The process of human composting involves placing a body into a container or vessel along with wood chips, alfalfa, and straw. Thermophile microbes naturally occurring on the plant material and in the human body accelerate the decomposition process, transforming the body into soil within a month. The soil is then screened for non-organic items, such as hip replacements or stents, and allowed to cure for an additional two to four weeks.

Human composting facilities in Colorado, such as The Natural Funeral in Arvada, offer this unique burial option to individuals and families who are seeking a more eco-friendly and meaningful way to dispose of their loved ones' remains.

Oregon's human composting laws

Human composting, also known as soil transformation or natural organic reduction (NOR), is the process of using microbes to convert a deceased body into compost. This method of body disposition is based on agricultural practices and livestock composting. It is a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional burial or cremation methods. While human composting was practised historically and in some religious traditions, it fell out of favour with the advent of modern burial practices. However, with growing concerns for sustainability and environmentally conscious burial methods, human composting has seen a resurgence in interest.

In Oregon, human composting was legalised in 2021, making it the third US state to permit the practice. The legalisation process began with Representative Pam Marsh from House District 5 (Southern Jackson County) introducing HB 2574. Over 100 Oregonians wrote letters of support for the bill, which then passed successfully through the House and the Senate with near-unanimous support. On July 15, 2021, Governor Kate Brown signed the bill into law.

The human composting process in Oregon involves placing a body into a stainless steel vessel along with wood chips, alfalfa, and straw. Naturally occurring microbes on the plant material and the body facilitate the transformation into soil, which typically takes around five to seven weeks. The soil is then screened for non-organic items like hip replacements or stents, and it is allowed to cure for an additional three to five weeks. Once the process is complete, the soil is ready for use on trees and plants or can be donated to conservation efforts. Each body yields approximately one cubic yard of soil.

Human composting offers a more economical and environmentally conscious alternative to traditional burial or cremation methods. It reduces the carbon footprint by 87% compared to cremation, as it does not require the use of fossil fuels or large amounts of wood. Additionally, human composting eliminates the need for caskets, coffins, or concrete grave liners, further reducing the carbon impact. The process also captures carbon in the soil, preventing its release as carbon dioxide or hydrocarbon gases.

The legalisation of human composting in Oregon is a testament to the growing movement advocating for more sustainable and natural death care options. With the support of engaged community members and lawmakers, human composting is gaining traction as a viable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial practices.

Vermont's stance on human composting

Human composting, also known as soil transformation, is a process that converts human remains into compost. This is done by placing a body in a steel container with wood chips, alfalfa, and straw, allowing microbes that naturally occur on the plant material to break down the body within 45 days. The process is environmentally friendly, as it does not use any fossil fuels or release carbon emissions, and it returns the body's nutrients to the natural world. While human composting was a common practice before modern burial, it has seen a resurgence due to its sustainability and environmental benefits.

Vermont became the fourth state to legalize human composting in June 2022, with the law coming into effect on January 1, 2023. The bill, H.244, was co-sponsored by Representative Carolyn Partridge, who drew inspiration from her experiences on her farm. She noted that when one of her sheep died, they would bury it in the manure pile to decompose, and she wanted the same for herself. The bill faced opposition from religious communities, such as the Catholic Church, which argued that the process does not show respect to bodily remains. However, it gained support from those who recognized its environmental benefits and its alignment with traditional burial practices of some religious and cultural communities, such as those of Muslims and Jews, who often practice natural burials without embalming or cremation.

The human composting process in Vermont follows specific steps. First, the body is placed in a stainless steel vessel along with wood chips, alfalfa, and straw. Over the next five to seven weeks, microbes break down the body, and the soil is then screened for non-organic items like implants, which are recycled. The soil is then allowed to cure for an additional three to five weeks. Once complete, the soil can be used for trees and plants or donated to conservation efforts. Each body creates about one cubic yard of soil, and families can choose how much they would like returned.

Vermont's legalization of human composting provides an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional burial or cremation methods. It addresses the concerns of those who wish to minimize their environmental impact, even after death. The process also aligns with traditional burial practices of some religious and cultural communities, such as those of Muslims and Jews, who often practice natural burials without embalming or cremation.

While human composting may not be for everyone, it offers a unique and eco-friendly option for those who wish to contribute to the preservation and restoration of the natural world, even in death. Vermont's legalization of the practice provides its residents with more choices for their end-of-life plans, allowing them to make decisions that align with their values and beliefs.

California's human composting bill

Human composting, also known as natural organic reduction or terramation, is a process that transforms human remains into nutrient-rich compost or soil. This is done by placing the body in a steel vessel or box and covering it with organic materials like straw, wood chips, and alfalfa. The microbes in the plant material then break down the body and plant matter, reducing it to soil in approximately 30 days. The soil is then cured for an additional two to six weeks before being returned to the family. Each body produces about one cubic yard of compost, which can be used for gardening or donated to conservation efforts.

The bill faced opposition from religious groups, such as the California Catholic Conference, which argued that human composting did not meet the "norm of reverence and care towards the deceased," and reduced the human body to a "disposable commodity." However, supporters of the bill, including CEO of Recompose Katrina Spade, advocated for it as a more environmentally friendly and economical alternative to traditional burial or cremation methods. Spade was also instrumental in the passage of Washington state's human composting law in 2019, the first in the nation.

California is now the fifth state to legalize human composting, following Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and Vermont. Several other states, including New York, Nevada, Arizona, and Maryland, have also approved similar legislation or are working towards legalization.

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