Now here's a 'did you know?' to ponder. According to to the Natural Death Centre, 89 per cent of a year's UK coffins - that's roughly 600,000 of the things - are made from chipboard and covered in not-very-eco-friendly laminate. Enter, stage left, the Ecopod. It's constructed from fully recycled paper and combined with a mineral hardener to make it robust - this distinctly bling gold-coloured one will fit anyone upto 5ft 10in and no more than 15 stone. Moreover, it's made in the UK. The company behind this Egyptian-inspired beauty is Brighton-based Arka Funerals - you need to contact their Ecopod wing direct for prices. [more green death stuff: Promessa's freeze-dried system]
NB. Since yesterday I've realised this has been knocking around for a few months. I read about it in Leo Hickman's An Ethical Life.
From: BEST OF 2008: Eco-friendy and sustainable shoes