TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Components: The thermophilic bacteria produce heat sufficient to inactivate microorganisms of the human microbiome. The aerobic microorganisms are mesophilic bacteria and methane producing bacteria, where the composting material attains a temperature exceeding the survival temperature range of the mesophilic, methane producing bacteria. The nutrient source comprises excrement. Preferred Method: The method (M1) comprises: growing the aerobic microorganisms in the composition to produce a population of predominantly thermophilic bacteria; and growing the aerobic microorganisms for a time sufficient to kill substantially all pathogenic microorganisms in the composition. In the method (M1): the heat generated through aerobic respiration heats the composition to 45-125 degrees C; the aerobic respiration generates heat, where the heat produces a self-sustaining stack effect for at least 7 days, preferably at least 30 days; and the aerobic respiration generates heat in the container at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to kill pathogenic microorganisms in the composition. The method (M1) further comprises detecting at least one operational taxon unit in the composition before, during or after growing. In the method (M1), microorganisms in the composition produce methane and the method further comprises ducting air containing methane from the container to second container configured for composting, where a material in the second container removes methane from the ducted air. In the method (M2), the human excrement is collected from a public waste facility, many source locations.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Components: The carbon source comprises biomass which comprises straw or paper. The nutrient source comprises excrement. The air intake comprises a top support comprising an air-permeable material on which the composition rests and a bottom support spaced apart from the top support and defining a space between the top support and bottom support, where the space is substantially coextensive with the top support, and at least one air conduit is configured to provide air to the space. The vent comprises an opening at a top of the container. The air flows from the air intake through the composting material to the upper surface in a generally vertical path. The vent is covered with an air-permeable material. The air intake is connected to an external fan. The air intake is connected to an external heat source, and is connected to a source of humid or water saturated air. The container is configured to contain at least 2 cubic meters, preferably at least 20 cubic meters. The insulated walls comprise straw, where the walls comprise a baled, fibrous material. The carbon source comprises a material used as insulation in another composting device. The device comprises: a second container comprising insulated walls, an air intake and a vent; a composition contained in the container; and a duct communicating between the vent of the first container and the air intake of the second container. ACTIVITY - Fertilizer.    MECHANISM OF ACTION - None given.