We are a small ‘family’ of companies based throughout the U.K. giving mutual support to each other on a national level yet operating in more localised areas in order to respect regional differences and specifications and ensuring rapid deliveries to each customer base.
We specialise in coffin manufacture and have been supplying the funeral service industry in all aspects of required requisites on a daily basis by the funeral professionals for over 50 years.
There were 3 key reasons as to why we formed Eco-nomicalCoffins:
You can view our products at any of the following sites:
Note to members of the public - Due to the nature of catering for the disposal of human remains, it is our policy to supply funeral professionals only. If you would like to purchase any of the products please contact a local funeral professional of your choice.
Our values are:
A large percentage of the coffins we manufacture are made from recycled chipboard overlaid with a real wood veneer from sustainable sources.
Chipboard is probably one of the most useful and environmentally-friendly products available. The products we use are made from wood from thinning in forestry operations, sawdust and wood shavings from the sawmill industry as well as from recycled wood.
The binding agent used is a resin which is extremely low in formaldehyde and cures when heat is applied. This level is similar to or less than that which is naturally found in the environment, often in growing trees. The curing agent is chloride-free and this process complies with the E1 emissions regulations.
Our companies also produce solid wood coffins and so procure timbers and mouldings made from hard and softwoods. We insist on selecting suppliers that source from well managed sustainable resources where management and replanting are government supervised.
Timber extraction is beneficial to the environment. Planting trees for timber harvesting actually helps to reduce the greenhouse effect. After an area has been harvested, seedlings are planted which absorb carbon dioxide and expel oxygen in their growing process.
A carbon footprint calculates the amount of impact our activities have on our environment. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases that are produced by things like burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc.
When looking at the carbon footprint of coffins it is important to consider where the raw materials came from, how the raw materials were processed in to the final product and how the product is transported to its final destination.
Formaldehyde is a form or preservative. Wood products bonded with resin containing formaldehyde are strictly regulated to ensure that any emissions from it and its standard or performance are kept within strict guidelines. An E1 rating means that the formaldehyde content of the resin is less than 0.2% by mass.
More and more we rely on trees and plants to build houses, produce paper, stay warm, make furniture – and even produce coffins. This means the pressure on the world’s forest is increasing. By rewarding businesses, communities and governments, The Rainforest Alliance works to encourage better practices that meet standards for sustainability.
By ensuring the forests are responsibly managed it allows the biodiversity to be conserved, local communities to be supported and the forests to remain for future generations to enjoy.
For more information visit: www.rainforest-alliance.org.
All our directors contribute independently to the Rain Forest Alliance.
Our companies comply with all required legislation and regulation set by the government and work to make sure waste is disposed of in the most environmentally conscientious way wherever possible. We aim to understand where our waste has come from, and whether it is possible to eliminate this waste at source paying particular attention to re-using packaging and keeping our own to a minimum. We do not wrap any of our coffins unless it is absolutely necessary.
All our companies have a site waste management plan and either recycle or re-use timber waste from their manufacturing processes. Wood and chipboard waste is collected from site and taken to a local mill to be chipped, cleaned and used again to make new chipboard making this process extremely resource efficient.
Wood wastes are also used to fuel wood fired biomass generator systems to heat factory spaces. Biomass fuels used can be classified as follows: Softwood, woodchip, O.S.B, chipboard, M.D.F, hardwoods and hardboard. We understand that this approach is an important contributor in securing future energy supplies.
As wood is essentially stored solar energy, heating with wood is in harmony with our environment. When wood burns, the only carbon dioxide emitted is the same as the tree removed from the atmosphere during its growth in previous years. It is claimed that 'wood is a renewable energy source because the carbon dioxide emitted when the wood is burned has been taken out of the atmosphere by the growing plant. Even allowing for emissions of fossil carbon dioxide in planting, harvesting, processing and transporting the fuel, replacing fossil fuel with wood fuel will typically reduce net CO2 emissions by over 90%'
The companies in our “family” use wood finishes and application methods that comply with regulatory requirements set by the E.P.A. Waste products from these procedures are processed in order to extract the component chemicals for re-use in the paint and wood finishing industry.
We liaise with transport companies to make certain vehicles are fully laden ensuring there are no wasteful or unnecessary journeys.
Each stage of this waste management chain operates under strict guidelines overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency and requires individual waste management licenses whilst the manufacture of new chipboard is managed using P.P.C. Pollution Prevention Control system monitored by the E.P.A.
We believe that our environment is extremely important to us all and hold the view that those who consider the impact of their actions on nature are ensuring a cleaner, safer world for future generations.
If you would like to know more information or visit the websites of some of our suppliers, please use the links below:
The Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA) - is recognized internationally as the centre of excellence on the specification and use of timber and wood products. By providing high quality information it enables members to maximize the benefits of timber.
The leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is Scotland’s environmental regulator. Their main role is to protect and improve the environment.
WasteCare offers all industrial and business sectors a unique recycling and waste management service, to manage and report their waste, from collection to recovery regardless of the type, volume or location.
The Environment Protection Act (1990)
With a wealth of knowledge of the timber trade, this family run company provide an extensive range of hardwood lumber and associated products.
Masons Timber Products Ltd supply D.I.Y retailers, merchants and manufacturing trades with timber products.