Ask anyone to identify the causes of greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution and most people will say cars, cows and power stations.
Perhaps due to the taboo around death, we don’t usually consider the damage caused to the environment by burning chipboard or MDF at funerals.
But that is changing. And fast.
Thanks to universal concern about the state of the planet, the media is becoming increasingly interested in cremation emissions.
And the science shows that chipboard and MDF are really bad when compared to other materials, such as LifeArt’s Enviroboard coffin and casket technology.
Chipboard and MDF produce large amounts of NOx when burnt, causing global warming and air pollution.
In recent weeks, we’ve seen local newspapers in various parts of the UK asking their local authorities what they’re doing to tackle the problem.
The Barrow-based Mail, which covers Cumbria, reported how the local authority, Barrow Borough Council, was working with funeral directors to offer environmentally-friendly products.
And a story in the Northern Echo, which covers areas like Durham and Darlington, stated that Durham’s authorities would be looking at introducing technology to reduce NOx.
It’s good to see councils focusing on this issue.
Our advice is that the best way to cut NOx emissions is to stop burning chipboard and MDF in the first place.
Compared to these two toxic materials, LifeArt’s coffins and caskets produce up to 87% less greenhouse gas emissions and use up to 80% fewer trees in manufacturing.
Councils which encourage funeral directors to use alternatives to chipboard and MDF could avoid the significant costs associated with NOx abatement technology, whilst at the same time cutting emissions.
For more details about how LifeArt can help your local authority reduce funerals’ environmental impact, please contact us today.