October 2021

TEXT-ONLY VERSION (scroll to bottom to download Newsletter in PDF)

Cremation

Cremation or incineration  is a safe and effective method of disposal for animal remains – whether the remains are infectious or non-infectious. 

Proper carcass management is vital in limiting the spread of disease. Infectious carcasses may not be disposed of on landfill sites due to the high risk to human and animal health and safety, and cremation is therefore often recommended for these animal remains.

In terms of environmental impact, cremation has a lower impact than the disposal of carcasses on landfill as the high temperatures ensure no pathogenic micro-organisms can contaminate the environment. Cremation does however have a higher environmental impact than EarthPet’s closed composting system.

This is due to the use of fuel/gas to power the system and the carbon dioxide emissions and other harmful pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals that can be produced during incineration and released into the surrounding environment.

A closed composting system remains an environmentally superior alternative to landfill disposal and cremation and offers many benefits, economic and environmental.

EarthPet’s Cremation Service

In addition to our bio-burial services, we do offer a return of ashes and cremation service to clients who would prefer to receive the ashes of their beloved pet. In order to keep our carbon footprint as low as possible we do not offer mass cremations. Clients will receive their pet’s ashes in a glass urn with their pet’s name inscribed on the side.

Our Services

Please visit the “Our Services” tab on our website for more details on pricing and other services offered by EarthPet.

EarthPet’s Infographic:

Cremation is the process of reducing a body to ashes and small bone fragments through the use of intense heat. The cremated remains are then crushed into a mostly fine, sand-like material which can be kept or scattered.

Cremation dates to at least 20 000 years ago in the archaeological record.

Types of emissions from the cremation process can include:

• Combustion Gases: CO₂, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Dioxide & Volatile Organic Compounds.
• Particulate Matter and fine dust.
• Organic pollutants.
• Heavy Metals.

On average a 68kg body which contains 65% water will require 100MJ of thermal energy = 3m³ of gas or 3 litres of fuel before any combustion takes place. Additional energy is needed to preheat the furnace.

Approximately 45kg of CO₂ will be produced by cremating a body with a mass of 68kg.

EarthPet’s Services:

• Bio-burial only – receive a Tree-In-A-Box with compost from our system.
• Bio-burial & Return of Compost (ROC) – receive the compost that your pet specifically contributed to (Please note this option may take up to 3-5 months).
• Cremation & Return of Ashes

THINK GREEN

Consider all your options carefully when choosing a farewell for your pet. Cremation has a lower environmental impact than disposal on landfill sites, but ultimately the closed composting service that EarthPet provides remains the most eco-friendly method of farewell for your pet.

An additional reminder about the Rabies Outbreak & Pet Vaccinations:

On 23 August 2021, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services confirmed that they had received laboratory results confirming rabies in two dogs in Khayelitsha in the City of Cape Town.