Information to help you choose how much soil to pick up, have shipped, or donate
Recompose was born from research on the soil cycle. The biological process mimics the earth’s natural cycles in a controlled environment and is similar to what occurs on the forest floor as organic material decomposes and becomes topsoil.
The cutting-edge design of Recompose’s vessels, coupled with our highly trained operators, ensures that the resulting soil is beneficial for plants and trees. The soil created returns nutrients from our bodies to the natural world. It sequesters carbon and nourishes new life in gardens, forests, and on conserved lands.
Options for Returning Soil
The Recompose process produces an abundance of soil, weighing between 500 to 1,000 pounds—about a cubic yard (3 x 3 x 3 ft). Once complete, the nutrient-rich soil is ready to grow new life. Clients may choose to have the soil returned in any combination of the following ways:
Pick Up the Soil
Packaged soil can be picked up from our Seattle location. Recompose staff will load the soil directly into your vehicle.
Ship the Soil
Recompose can ship soil to most locations in the U.S. Please note that shipping is not included in the price of human composting.
Donate the Soil
The Recompose Land Program offers clients an opportunity to give soil back by donating soil to nonprofit conservation organizations. Please note: We do not recommend our Land Program for clients seeking a specific plot to visit or to commemorate their person. The land where soil is donated does not have public access.
Packaging
Recompose Packaging
Recompose packages soil in durable bags that hold about 12 gallons each. These sealed bags are similar to the size of the compost or potting soil bags you find at the garden store. On average, each person produces between 25-40 bags of soil, weighing about 20 pounds each. Any amount of soil can be ordered in our standard packaging, which is included in our price.
Specialty Containers – for purchase
These biodegradable containers hold approximately 5 cups of soil. Specialty containers come with a letterpress name card that is locally made in Seattle. See our General Price List for more information.
Recompose clients have reported specialty containers to be ideal for sharing with friends and family, and for smaller memorialization projects like potted plants. They travel well—making it easy to take on a plane or a hike. They can be planted directly in the ground or composted after use.
The Recompose Land Program
We designed the Recompose Land Program to offer clients an opportunity to give soil back to the larger ecosystem that surrounds us. We partner with nonprofit conservation organizations who steward land and need soil to restore and revitalize protected areas.
Soil donated to the Land Program is integrated across multiple locations where stewards deem it is needed most. The preserves where soil is donated are not accessible to the public. We do not recommend our Land Program for clients seeking a specific plot to visit or commemorate their person.
Clients who choose to donate soil through the Land Program have shared that they connect with the concept of returning to the natural environment as a whole rather than to a single location—instead of becoming a tree, they become part of the forest.
