When we think about someone passing away, an important part of the process is choosing the way they leave the Earth. For the most common ways of choosing how we die, two of these include burial or cremation. Traditionally, these methods are used for centuries but as you might not be aware of, it is quite far from being environmentally friendly. Now, there is an alternative to this which is now known as a “Biodegradable Coffin.”
Apparently, when bodies are embalmed or preserved they require chemicals that cause cancer such as formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, and phenol. According to the Property and Environment Research Center, there were about 5 million gallons of these embalming fluid used to bury people. Furthermore, the caskets that are made often come from mined metals, toxic plastic or endangered wood.
On the other hand, people see the process of cremation as a greener alternative. Only, it’s the exact opposite as the process actually entails a large amount of energy which produces air pollution. Research says that crematoriums release plenty of chemicals like dioxin, carbon dioxide, and mercury into the Earth’s atmosphere. According to Bob Butz, author of “Going Out Green: One Man’s Adventure Planning His Own Natural Burial,” the energy used to cremate one body is equal to driving 4,800 miles on a car.
For now, this new environmental casket helps prevent a corpse from decomposing inefficiently. The rotting process is slowed down in order to counter the sulfur-loving bacteria, which can harm nearby water sources. Now, the burners and filters for the cremation process have been refined into the more eco-friendly alternative called “resomation.” What does this process mean? Well, the liquified human body can be turned into a fertilizer for the earth.
According to the Natural Death Centre, the natural burial process to create a biodegradable coffin reduces carbon emissions by 50 percent compared with traditional burials.
You have a wide variety of options to choose from when it comes to picking out an eco-friendly coffin. These final resting places are made from a variety of materials such as paper, formaldehyde-free plywood, fair trade-certified bamboo, and hand-woven willow.
Would you want your coffin to be eco-friendly?
