ARKA Ecopod - the Recycled Paper Coffin

ARKA's Ecopod is a revolutionary design in coffins made from naturally hardened, 100% recycled paper - mainly newsprint and office paper - and a non-toxic natural hardener, the Ecopod is ideal for a green burial or clean cremation.

KGW TV in Portland did a story on the Natural Burial Company and the Ecopod just before we moved our business to the "Emerald City" - http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/VideoPlayer/videoPlayer.php?vidId=99369&cat
Id=131. As you can see by the video, the ARKA Ecopod is about a lot more than simply a biodegradable coffin - it's about "going out" in a whole new way.

Check out Ecopod in the National Geographic, July 2008

 

The Ecopod was recently featured in the National Geographic's "Environment" section.

MORE PRESS:

OBIT Magazine -  "Going to Ground"

Treehugger noticed it a long time ago, back in 2005 - great eyes, Treehugger!

NPR's Marketplace kind of missed the point ("green" is not about price, and shouldn't be - nobody's getting rich off this, and Natural Burial Company coffins start at $85.00, so FCA's Josh Slocum can relax - a handmade coffin is not for every body, and its' all about choice, isn't it?)

But the Huffington Post and the Associated Press pretty much got it right...

To learn even more about the history of the Ecopod and the inspiration behind Hazel Selina's original design - a cross between a seedpod and an Egyptian sarcophagus - you can visit their website: http://www.ecopodcoffins.com. There are some wonderful stories on their press pages (the Ecopod's even been in a museum and a Gay Pride parade!) and they've got a small workshop in Brighton, UK, where each one is molded carefully by hand.

Hundreds of Ecopods have been successfully used throughout the UK since 1998.  The Ecopod is extremely durable - it weighs around 40+ pounds and yet even the small size can carry 200 pounds! It is covered in handmade mulberry leaf and recycled silk paper. Each color has its own silkscreened design - Blue=Doves, Red=Aztec Sun, Green=Celtic Cross. (Click here for colors and patterns).

White silk paper and Gold are also available as options.

NOTE: -- White Ecopods should be handled with gloves as the oil from your hands will stain the immaculate silk paper.

There are two sizes:

Small - 5'8" inner height, max, 200 pounds
Large - 6'2" inner height, max 250 pounds

Due to its unique and handmade nature, the Ecopod is in extremely limited supply in both the US and the UK and pre-orders are strongly suggested. Contact the Natural Burial Company to find out about pre-ordering one if the US is out of stock.

ECOPOD PRODUCT PAGE

Ecopod Product page on the NBC Site:
http://www.naturalburialcompany.com/2007/07/arka-ecopod---t.html

Ecopod GalleryPage:
http://natural-burial.typepad.com/photos/natural_casket_gallery/ecopodred30k.html

Ecopod Company Home Page
http://www.ecopod.co.uk

ECOPOD STRAP INSTRUCTIONS

To View or Print Out:

Ecopod Instructions Page - Front
Ecopod Instructions Page - Back

The Ecopods are carried with 6 metal handles inserted through the loop ends of the straps. The handles can be removed prior to burial.

LOWERING THE ECOPOD BY HAND OR MACHINE

The Ecopod can be easily lowered by hand using either straps or ropes in the traditional manner. Placement of two 4x4 boards crosswise on the bottom for the pod to rest on will allow the straps to be removed easily. 

Remember, a shallow grave (less than 36" - 18-20" of soil maximum on top, not including the mounded earth) is preferred in a natural burial. The burial shown here is done without an outer burial vault or grave liner.

The Ecopod is durable and will not melt in the rain. If it does get wet, simply allow it to dry and it will re-harden to its original strength. If the paper gets damp, unless it is rubbed raw, it too should dry back to the near-original condition. There is a small amount of metal in the Ecopod - a couple of bolts hold the straps in place and there are metal and bamboo handles. If there's concern about the metal the handles and buckles can be easily removed before lowering the Ecopod into the grave.

CONVENTIONAL LOWERING IN A TRADITIONAL CEMETERY

Due to their extremely light weight, natural coffins can be lowered easily by hand. They also work just fine with traditional lowering equipment.

MOISTURE PROTECTION

Most bodies have been adequately cared for before burial and, if managed properly, leakage from an unembalmed body generally does not occur. If additional protection is required, a wool pad, quilt, or thick cardboard on the bottom of the coffin, placed under the liner, should be adequate. Plastic liners are not necessary! As always,we suggest no synthetic clothes on the deceased, nor non-degradable materials in the coffin.