Human Composting in California

Natural Organic Reduction (NOR)

Citing the high CO2 emissions caused by the cremation process — which reportedly accounts for approximately 360,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year — the legislation will allow people the option of giving their remains over to a process known as natural organic reduction (NOR) if they choose not to be buried or cremated.

“The process involves placing the body inside a long, reusable steel container along with wood chips and flowers to aerate it – allowing microbes and bacteria to break down the remains,” according to reporting from the Daily Mail. “One month later, the remains will fully decompose and be turned into soil.”

The Catholic Church strongly opposes NOR, and argues that it was meant for livestock.

The law will not go into effect until 2027. Other states which have enacted similar legislation include Washington, Colorado and Oregon.