ANKARA (AA) – New York has joined other US states by approving a bill allowing for the conversion of human bodies into compost after death.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the bill on Saturday, authorizing the natural conversion of corpses into compost in the state, according to the New York Post.

The remains of the deceased will be placed into a reusable container together with plant materials like wood chips, alfalfa, and straw as part of the procedure to form the ideal environment for naturally occurring bacteria to decompose the body, which takes roughly a month.

Washington was the first US state to legalize human composting in 2019. Colorado and Oregon passed similar laws in 2021, followed by Vermont and California last year.

It provides an alternative to those who wish to avoid the environmental effects of other forms of final disposition, such as burial or cremation.