Rosalie Weiss- Week 9- First Human Remains Legally Composted in Colorado

 Human composting is coming to Denver - Colorado Newsline

Colorado’s first legally composted human remains were laid to rest on March 20, 2022. This process of “natural reduction" was legalized by the state in May of 2021. While legalizing the practice, this law, signed by governor Jared Polis, prohibits the mixing of different people's remains without their consent, the use of the soil in the growth of food for human consumption, or the sale of the soil. The process was first legalized in Washington but is yet to be legalized by most U.S. states.

Natural reduction is advocated to be a more environmentally friendly way to be buried as it produces fewer carbon emissions than cremation and takes up less space than standard burial. Being naturally reduced costs around 7,900$ compared to the rough 4,000$ needed for cremation in Colorado. The practice is more expensive than cremation because it is a longer process, as it takes a while to turn a deceased body into soil. This process is done by placing a body in an air-filled chamber with wood chips, alfalfa, straw, and other plant materials for around 30 days. In that time, the body is broken down by microbes that naturally occur in our bodies and the environment. After this process, we are left with nutrient-rich soil, which, after being cured, is ready for use to enrich conservation land, forests, or gardens. 

This process is more efficient and environmentally friendly than cremation or a standard burial. While it may not be legal in every state yet, I can see this process becoming the burial of choice in the future. 

What do you think? Would you like to be naturally reduced? 

Comments

  1. AnonymousMar 22, 2022, 10:36:00 PM

    While I am all for being environmentally friendly, this is not the way I thought it would be done. This seems super strange, so strange that it feels wrong and weird to me. The idea of experimenting and processing human remains and bodies feels off to me, but at least it helps the environment.

    ReplyDelete

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