Part 1 - Open to the Public
ITEM NO. 7.1
REPORT OF
THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY SAFETY
TO THE ASSISTANT MAYOR FOR HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT ON THE
16 July 2013
TITLE: PROPOSAL TO RECYCLE METALS RETRIEVED FOLLOWING THE
CREMATION PROCESS AT SALFORDS CREMATORIA (AGECROFT AND PEEL
GREEN)
RECOMMENDATION:
That approval is given to participate in the national recycling scheme and nominate
local related charities to receive any monies raised on behalf of Salford City Council’s
Bereavement Services.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Salford City Council Bereavement Services currently provides a cremation service at
Agecroft and Peel Green Crematoria. At present all metals retrieved following the
cremation process are retained at the crematorium, until a sufficient quantity exists,
and then the material is buried within the cemetery grounds in a respectful manner.
The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) has for the last 5
years been promoting a metal recycling scheme which provides an alternative to the
burying of metals. Working in conjunction with orthometals, a Dutch based company,
all metal material produced from the cremation process would be recycled with the
income derived redistributed to nominated local charities within Salford. To date 150
Councils across the UK has joined the scheme with over £1 million raised for
charities since the inception of the scheme. Local charities which would be
nominated by the Council will receive approx £8k per annum from the scheme.
Considering the sensitive nature of the scheme the consent of the next of kin or
executer will be obtained for permission to recycle the metals following cremation.
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:
The Institute of Crematorium and Cemetery Management (ICCM) has a dedicated
page with all relevant information available to view, including legal comments and the
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various charities that have benefited from the recycling scheme: http://www.iccmuk.com/iccm/index.php?pagename=recyclingmetal
KEY DECISION:
YES
DETAILS:
1.1
At present, metals retrieved following the cremation process are retained at
the crematorium until a sufficient quantity exists for the material to be taken
into either Peel Green or Agecroft Cemetery grounds and respectfully buried.
Once buried in the grounds these metals will not decompose and will remain
in the ground forever. The metals from cremations in Salford have been buried
in the cemetery grounds since cremations started in the City. As a result burial
ground within both cemeteries has been ‘taken up’ approximately 800m2
through the areas designated for the burials of metals.
1.2
Orthometals are currently providing a metal recycling service throughout the
UK and across the continent. Based in Holland, they have been providing this
service in the UK for the previous 5 years and throughout the Dutch Cremation
Federation for the past 13 years.
1.3
The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) act as a
national agent, working directly with Orthometals and co-ordinating the
collection of implants from crematoria throughout the country. Any monies
raised from the recycling process will be paid to the ICCM, who will offset the
operating costs and supervise the re-distribution of the income to a range of
charities working in areas that relate, in some way, to death and bereavement.
The Charities will be nominated by the City Council and could include
Hospices, Cancer/Heart Charities etc.
1.4
There will be no commercial gain for the Council in participating in the
recycling scheme - the primary benefits are to the charities which will receive
financial support, the preservation and space in the cemetery grounds and
the service becomes more environmentally efficient.
1.5
The consent of the applicant of cremation (next of kin or executor) will be
obtained for permission to recycling the precious metals following cremation.
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The Recycling Scheme in Detail
2.1
All metals will be extracted from the cremated remains in the same way as it is
at the moment in the UK and Europe. The metals consist of ferrous metals,
which are predominantly staples and nails used in coffin construction, and non
ferrous metals used in orthopaedic surgery, which are manufactured from
cobalt steel. An element of precious metal is recovered from the aforementioned metals which emanates from jewellery. During the cremation
process metals melt and become unrecognisable reducing to granular form
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and are not generally recoverable from cremated remains. Some might be
combined with refractory brickwork, some will be contained in the cremated
remains, and some recovered during the sorting process carried out be
OrthoMetals.
2.2
Containers will be supplied to Salford’s crematoria. These will be 120 litre
wheeled bins of 120 x 55 x 48cms in size and complete with a lid. Bins will be
provided for ferrous metals and non-ferrous. Orthometals staff will carry out
basic training in the process with crematoria staff.
2.3
Crematoria staff will separate ferrous metals from non-ferrous metals and
place them in separate containers.
2.4
Frequency of collection is twice per year, normally in May and November.
2.5
Containers will be collected by Orthometals, using a small truck equipped with
a hydraulic lift. As full containers are collected, they will be replaced with
empty containers.
2.6
All metals will be recycled in the UK, and all carriers and treatment plants will
be suitably licensed to comply with UK legislation. The carrier will issue a
waste transfer note for each collection. The transfer note records the weights
of metals collected.
2.7
To ensure the process is properly monitored, Orthometals maintains a
database of weights of metals collected from each crematorium, with the
database being provided to the ICCM. Orthometals will advise the ICCM of
the figures for the sale of the recyclable materials and this will be validated.
2.8
Weights of recyclable metals received by OrthoMetals will be advised to the
ICCM, following completion of the collection. This will take the form of a freight
bill identifying the weights collected per crematorium. Each crematorium will
be informed of the weights collected from their crematorium. All orthopaedic
implants will be smelted into granules for industrial use, with all other metals
being recycled in appropriate ways. Some of the higher grade metals from
orthopaedic implants are used in the manufacture of new implants.
2.9
Prior to the start of any collections, full health and safety / insurance
information will be obtained from OrthoMetals and their sub-contractors,
including any Health and Safety policies and relevant risk assessments, safe
working practices and relevant insurance documentation.
2.10
To ensure that start up costs are spread over a reasonable period, contractual
arrangements between the ICCM and OrthoMetals will be for a minimum three
year period. In turn, each crematorium should commit to the scheme for the
same period.
2.11
Surplus achieved through the contract, shall be based on gross total income,
minus a charge for collection, transport, smelting and service improvement
costs. This is standard procedure with existing contracts currently operating in
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Europe. Any monies collected by the ICCM will be donated to death related
charities. When surplus is paid to the Institute (six monthly), it will contact all
scheme member crematoria, requesting a nomination for a local death related
charity. The number of nominations received, and the amount of surplus, is
confirmed and recorded at an institute board meeting. The number of
nominations received is divided into the surplus, with each charity receiving an
equal share of the surplus. Cheques are sent to scheme member crematoria,
payable to their chosen charities. A covering letter to the charity is included.
Scheme member crematoria are encouraged to arrange a cheque
presentation ceremony with their respective charities and Mayor / committee
Chairperson, designed to raise positive local publicity for the charity and
cremation service.
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Potential next steps for the services
3.1
A leaflet and web notice to be designed to inform and educate the public with
regard to recycling of metals.
3.2
The Cremation forms need to be amended to incorporate approval from the
applicant for cremation, to allow recycling.
3.3
A draft press release has been prepared. (Appendix A)
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Options / Alternatives
4.1
To do nothing and continue to bury precious metals in the cemetery grounds
at Agecroft and Peel Green.
4.2
To participate in the national recycling scheme managed by the ICCM.
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Recommendation
5.1
To participate in the national recycling scheme and nominate local death
related charities to receive any monies raised on behalf of Salford City
Council.
KEY COUNCIL POLICIES: None impacted
EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND IMPLICATIONS:
We do not believe that the proposal will have any equalities implications, and it is
unlikely that any groups with protected characteristics will be disadvantaged. The
voluntary nature of the recycling scheme will allow next of kin to opt out if they feel
uncomfortable or if they object to the metal recycling process for reasons of faith.
Therefore, at this stage, we believe that the issue is low risk from an equalities
perspective and that a full community impact assessment is not necessary.
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ASSESSMENT OF RISK:
Bereavement Services is a sensitive service area. With this initiative families will be
consulted in advance of the cremation process as to whether they wish to participate
in the scheme. The scheme is low risk given the management processes in place.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:
The ICCM has gained legal advice available on the ICCM website, which clearly
indicates, under the proper controls, that metals removed from cremated remains
should either be recycled or returned to the applicant for cremation.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
These have been supplied by the ICCM. It is anticipated that approximately £8k per
annum will be donated to nominated charities through this scheme.
PROCUREMENT IMPLICATIONS: None
HR IMPLICATIONS:
There are no HR implications in respect of this proposal.
OTHER DIRECTORATES CONSULTED: None
CONTACT OFFICER:
Dominic Clarke
TEL NO: 0161 925 1109
WARDS TO WHICH REPORT RELATES: All
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Appendix A
Proposed Draft Press Release (Provided by ICCM)
Recycling of Metals Following Cremation
At some time in our lives we may need to have an operation to replace a joint or have a
metal insert to assist the repair of a bone. Often, we will die with these metal implants still in
our body. We may then be cremated and these metal implants remain in the ashes following
the cremation.
At present, these metal implants, along with the remaining metals from the construction of
the coffin, are removed from the ashes and stored until there is a sufficient quantity to be
taken out into the grounds and buried, to the detriment of the environment. In a time when
environmental issues are becoming more and more important to us all, we are realising that
we cannot continue to take action that is detrimental to our environment, without accepting
the consequences of our actions some time in the future.
Salford City Council Bereavement Services has reviewed current practices, in line with
national guidance from the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM). A
number of issues have arisen from the review:

There is an opportunity to recycle the metals that remain after a cremation and
ensure that the use of non-renewable resources is minimised, thus helping protect
our long term environment.

We should seek the consent of the bereaved before we take any action to dispose of
metals following a cremation. The bereaved will now be asked to consent to the
sensitive recycling of the metals, rather than their disposal in the grounds of the
crematorium. The metals can be returned to the family if they so wish.

Soft / precious metals melt during the cremation process and are dispersed
throughout the remains and the cremator, and are reduced to tiny granules. These
cannot be recovered and returned to the family, therefore it is recommended that all
jewellery is removed prior to cremation.
As from ….(date)… we will be revising our documents for cremation, to seek consent for the
sensitive recycling of the metals. Arrangements are in place with the ICCM to ensure the
highest standards of collection are maintained. The improved arrangements for dealing with
metals will not cost the bereaved, and may raise a small amount of money from the process.
The ICCM has assured all crematoria that any monies raised from this process will be
donated to death related charities, such as the Heart Foundation and Cancer Research. Full
records of all collections, monies raised and charities that have benefited from the process,
will be available for inspection at the crematorium when the scheme is properly established.
To date 150 councils across the UK have joined the scheme with over £1 million
raised for charities since the inception of the scheme.
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