Turns Out, We Can Be Eco-Friendly Long After Our Lifetime (Maybe Even As Trees!)

Two eco-friendly burial methods have been legalized in Oregon, United States: composting human bodies and water-based cremation, giving the deceased an opportunity to leave a positive influence on their carbon footprint.

“This is Oregon! People love their parks, people love their trails, people love their nature, people love their composting and that idea that somebody can become a tree,” says Rep. Pam Marsh, who co-sponsored the bill. “I think that’s really thrilling for people to know that their remains can absolutely help the environment.”

Oregon follows in the footsteps of Washington and Colorado when it comes to human composting. A dead body can be transformed into nutrient-rich topsoil through natural organic reduction – which is then given back to loved ones – using one-eighth of the energy of traditional cremation, and about one metric ton less CO₂ than conventional techniques. As for water-based cremation, all that’s needed is a mixture of 95% water and 5% alkaline chemicals to break down bodies, instead of fire and fossil fuels, saving up to 90% of energy compared with traditional cremation – with no greenhouse gases emitted!