Latest news with #environmentaladvocates
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
'Boil in a bag' funerals to become available in Britain after catching on around the world - here's how the controversial method works
Putting a loved one to rest in the UK typically involves either a ground burial or a flame-based cremation. But an alternative method could finally get the go-ahead. A new consultation into funerary methods by the independent Law Commission could finally result in legal approval of 'boil in a bag' funerals in the UK. At the moment, there is no regulatory framework for the method, officially known as water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis – effectively banning it from use in the country. Water cremation involves rapidly decomposing a corpse in water and alkaline chemicals under high temperatures, leaving only liquid and bones. The liquid, known as 'effluent', can go down the drain with other wastewater and bones that can be ground to ash for the bereaved owner to take home. Advocates say the method is better for the environment, but others believe it is an undignified way to dispose of the dead. Here's a look at how the controversial method works. What is water cremation? Water cremation uses water, alkaline chemicals, heat, and sometimes pressure and agitation, to accelerate natural decomposition, leaving bone fragments and a neutral liquid called effluent. The effluent is sterile, and contains salts, sugars, amino acids and peptides – but no tissue or DNA is left. This effluent is discharged with all other wastewater, while the softened bone can be ground up for the owner to take home and lay to rest, much like ashes – although any metal hip and knee joints come out unchanged. At the Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center in Minnesota, there's an alkaline hydrolysis machine located in the basement that cost $750,000 (£580,000) to install about a decade ago. Bodies go into the rectangular steel box, which is about six feet high and four feet wide and looks like part of a high security 'bank vault'. With just the press of a few buttons, the machine locks and starts to fill with water – and the 90-minute process can begin. By the end, all tissue has dissolved and is free from DNA – and is a brown colour that somewhat resembles 'tea or an ale'. What happens during a water cremation? The corpse is loaded into the machine, which then works out the amount of water and potassium hydroxide needed. The pressurised tank is filled with the alkaline solution. The tank is heated to 152C (305F). The remaining liquid is cooled in a separate tank and drained. The liquid (about 330 gallons) is washed down the drain. The bones are ground to powder and given to the family in an urn. According to one Wired journalist who visited a water cremation facility in California, the liquefied human body 'smells like steamed clams'. Any metal hip and knee joints come out unchanged, but otherwise all that's left is the bones, which now crumble and fall apart to the touch and can be easily ground down and scattered much like ashes, or kept. Water cremation is not new – the process was originally patented in 1888 – but only now is it becoming an option for the general public. Some see religious connotations in water cremation, echoing the use of water in baptism at the start of a life. Why is water cremation controversial? Critics argue that dissolving bodies and disposing of the resulting liquid down the sewers along with other wastewater lacks dignity. In certain religious and cultural communities, water cremation is barred due to its perceived desecration of the body. Dr Lian Lundy, a wastewater specialist at Middlesex University, said the biggest hurdle blocking it in the UK is social acceptability. Staff at the Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center operate the alkaline hydrolysis machine located in the basement 'Some people view it as basically mixing up my loved one with poo in the sewer and they don't like that,' she told the Telegraph. 'But there's a lot that goes into the sewer that we don't really think about – waste from mortuaries and hospitals and all sorts of things that we don't know about – so from that perspective, it's not really any different.' Where is water cremation available? Water cremation is already available to the general public in nearly 30 states in America and is also permitted in Canada and South Africa. Ireland opened its first water cremation facility in early 2023 – the first of its kind in Europe. But in the UK, regulatory hurdles are preventing the method from becoming available. When will water cremation come to the UK? Co-op Funeralcare, which arranges more than 93,000 funerals every year, revealed in 2023 it would start to offer the service for deceased Brits, but plans were delayed as it was 'unable to find a path through the current regulatory framework'. Co-op Funeralcare welcomed the consultation on new funerary methods, which could potentially see water cremations come to the UK by the end of the decade. A spokesman from Co-op Funeralcare said: 'At Co-op Funeralcare, we are committed to serving the needs of our member-owners and clients and offering the most sustainable and affordable services. 'In 2023, we announced our ambition to pilot Resomation in the UK, and we subsequently worked closely with the Government to explore the regulatory requirements to introduce this service across the nation. 'However, we did not proceed with this as, at the time, we were unable to find a path through the current regulatory framework. 'We welcome The Law Commission's review and encourage exploration into alternative methods that provide consumers with greater choice and deliver environmental benefits.' How much will water cremation be? While the cost for water cremations remains unclear, it's expected to be around the same prices as a traditional cremation – a few thousand pounds. In countries where water cremation is already legal, the price typically ranges from $1,500 (£1,180) to $5,000 (£3,950), depending on the provider and location, the Farewell Guide explains. 'In the UK, once the service becomes available, the cost of water cremation will likely be competitive with regular cremation prices,' it adds. At the Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center in Minnesota, it costs $3,395 (£2,500) for a 'basic cremation' and $4,995 (£3,680) for an additional memorial service. Why are water cremations better for the environment? Advocates describe the method as 'green cremation' as it's a more eco-friendly alternative to land burials (which can pollute the soil) and flame-based cremations. A traditional cremation using flames consumes fuel and releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the air. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the average cremation produces about 535 pounds of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to driving a car about 600 miles. Land burials, meanwhile, pose the problem of the vessel containing the corpse taking years to decompose in the soil if it's made of metal or plastic. Even if the vessel is compostable, such as a pine box, the decomposing corpse doesn't usually have a healthy impact on the soil and can often stop grass and plants growing properly.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Researchers set sail, kicking off the third UN Ocean Conference in France
A fleet of 30 research and exploration vessels from around the world will set sail just off the French coastal city of Nice on Sunday to kick off the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) and pay tribute to World Oceans Day. The event themed 'Ocean Wonders' will see the vessels sail across Nice's Baie des Anges, or Bay of Angels, and is designed to spotlight the beauty and importance of the ocean while urging world leaders not to lose sight of its value as they make decisions about the planet's future. Thousands of delegates, including heads of state, scientists, and environmental advocates, are expected in Nice this week to confront growing threats to the ocean and the need to transform pledges into protection. The UN has called the threats a global emergency facing the world's oceans as they confront rising temperatures, plastic pollution choking marine life, and relentless overexploitation of fish and other resources. Just 2.7 per cent of the global ocean is effectively protected from destructive activities like industrial fishing and deep-sea mining – far below the global goal of 30 per cent by 2030. Participating boats include the Energy Observer, a solar-panel covered catamaran that was the first vessel to circumnavigate the globe using renewable energy alone. It produces hydrogen fuel on board via seawater electrolysis, offering a vision of zero-emissions maritime travel.
E&E News
4 days ago
- General
- E&E News
Feds schedule open-mic month on ESA habitat conservation plans
The Fish and Wildlife Service is inviting fresh ideas for administering habitat conservation plans and other agreements intended to resolve Endangered Species Act issues. The agency is billing the move as a big opportunity for developers, loggers, the energy industry and environmental advocates to help update how the ESA works. A 30-day public comment period starting Monday will open up for consideration Section 10(a) of the landmark environmental law. The section authorizes the issuance of permits that allow for the unintentional killing or harming — called incidental take — of species listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA. Advertisement 'The Service is dedicated to strengthening the section 10(a) program to more effectively support conservation efforts while addressing the needs of landowners, industry and local communities — ultimately improving the program's overall efficiency and impact,' the agency stated Friday.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CT is receiving $7M from EPA for cleanup of several brownfield sites. Here are towns on the list.
Connecticut is receiving nearly $7 million in federal funds to help clean up its brownfield sites, with advocates haling the news as a major boost for the environment. Brownfields are abandoned or underused properties, often industrial or commercial, where redevelopment is complicated because of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants in the soil. There are dozens of these sites scattered across the state, according to officials. The grants will help fund assessments of brownfields, a revolving loan fund and cleanup grants. The funds come from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Program. The program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.9 billion in brownfields grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. As part of the overall $7 million, approximately $3.2 million are assessment grants, which will provide funding for brownfield inventories, planning, environmental assessments and community outreach. The other $3.75 million is part of revolving loan fund grants to help continue the work to carry out cleanup and redevelopment projects on contaminated brownfields sites. Supplemental funding for revolving loan fund grants is available to recipients that have depleted their funds and have viable cleanup projects ready for work, according to officials. 'Today's brownfields announcement reflects EPA's commitment to clean air, land, and water for every American,' said EPA regional administrator Mark Sanborn. 'From rural towns to urban centers, we are helping communities across New England clean up contaminated sites and unlock new opportunities for economic growth and revitalization. Through partnerships with states, local governments, and the private sector, we're returning blighted properties to productive use — and showing that a clean environment and economic development can go hand in hand.' On Friday, the Connecitcut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced the applicants who are being awarded funding. The Capitol Region Council of Governments has been selected to receive $750,000; DEEP has been selected to receive $2 million for a brownfields community-wide assessment grant for states and tribes; Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments has been selected to receive $1 million in supplemental funding for its revolving loan fund program; Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments has been selected to receive $2 million in supplemental funding for its Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund program; and Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments has been selected to receive $1.2 million to lead a Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant. Among the sites that will benefit from the funding are the Collinsville Axe Factory in Canton, the Excelsior Plant and the Torrington and E. Farrel Corporation property in Ansonia, and the Connecticut Sports Group and Davidson Block properties in Bridgeport, officials said. 'DEEP congratulates the Capitol Region, Metropolitan, Naugatuck Valley, and Southeastern Councils of Governments on earning EPA brownfield grants. We are also proud to receive a $2 million Community-Wide Assessment Grant for Connecticut,' said DEEP commissioner Katie Dykes. 'This funding will promote the cleanup of contaminated sites, turning long-abandoned properties into community assets that support public health, environmental safety and economic development. It's a win for cleaner neighborhoods, stronger local economies and a more affordable, vibrant future.' An interactive map showing brownfields in Connecticut can be found here. For information on brownfields, go to Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@
