---
title: "Human Composting is Better for the Environment"
description: "Human composting is becoming more popular, and according to the BBC, it may be a better choice for the environment as well."
date: "2020-02-18"
modified: "2020-02-18"
authors:
  - name: "Jacob Banas"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jake"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/human-composting-better-environment"
categories:
  - "Environment"
  - "Future Society"
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "burial alternatives"
  - "death"
  - "environment"
  - "human composting"
  - "the digest"
---

# Human Composting is Better for the Environment

![Human composting is becoming more popular, and according to the BBC, it may be a better choice for the environment as well.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/human-composting-better-environment-burial.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Recompose\</em\>*

## Up In Smoke

As if living with a carbon footprint wasn't a nuisance enough, it turns out the way you leave your life can have an impact on the Earth as well.

One new funeral option: Human composting, which is exactly what it sounds like, is becoming more available, and according to a [recent interview](<https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-51389084>) in the BBC, it may be better for the environment as well.

## Carbon Foot-print

In May 2019, Washington became the first state to legalize [human composting](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/washington-human-composting-2020>) thanks in large part to Katrina Spade, CEO and founder of Recompose, a company that offers "natural organic reduction" as a burial alternative.

Over the course of [four years](<https://futurism.com/washington-first-state-legalize-human-composting>), Spade and her associates conducted research into the process of safely composting a human corpse. Spade told the *BBC* that using the process for one funeral prevents 1.4 tonnes of carbon from being released into the atmosphere, compared to cremation.

## "Going" Green

For now, the process is only legal in Washington state, but Spade hopes more states will allow their citizens to choose to be composted.

"For a lot of folks it resonates with the way they try to lead their lives," Spade [said to the *BBC*](<https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-51389084>), "They want to pick a death care plan that resonates with the way they live."

**READ MORE:** [Human compost funerals 'better for environment'](<https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-51389084>) \[BBC\]

***More on burial alternatives:*** [7 Futuristic Things To Do With Your Body When You Die](<https://futurism.com/futuristic-funeral-death-die>)

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobjbanas/>)