After Washington in 2019, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont and California, New York State authorized human composting. A decision made on December 31 by the Democratic governor.
Unlike cremation, human composting is carbon-free. This technique consists of transforming human remains into compost and then into humus, reports Radiofrance.
Le processus décrit par Return Home, une société spécialisée dans le compostage humain, implique de placer le cadavre de la personne dans un grand contenant, comme un cercueil, renfermant notamment des matières organiques, de la straw, de la luzerne ou de la sciure de wood. In a few weeks, thanks to the action of bacteria, the body breaks down. The whole is then heated to 55°C.
Rich in nutrients of about one cubic metre, humus is therefore the equivalent of thirty-six bags of topsoil which is returned to the family of the deceased and can be used as fertilizer in the garden.
