Metals Recycling Scheme
Following a cremation, ashes may contain metals from items used in the construction of the coffin and, in many cases, medical implants such as hip or knee replacement joints.
Mortlake Crematorium is proud to be a member of the national Metals Recycling Scheme, established by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM). The ICCM works in partnership with Orthometals, a specialist Dutch recycling company that provides this service to crematoria across Europe.
Metals recovered following cremation are collected and responsibly recycled. The proceeds are donated to national and local bereavement charities, supporting organisations such as The Good Grief Trust, CRUSE Bereavement Support, Macmillan Cancer Support, Sands and Cancer Research UK.
Since the scheme started in 2004, the ICCM’s Metals Recycling Scheme, in partnership with Orthometals, had donated more than £24 million to charities throughout the United Kingdom. This remarkable achievement has only been possible thanks to the generosity of bereaved families who have given their consent for metals to be recycled.
The ICCM said:
“ICCM would like to thank each scheme member, but most of all the bereaved themselves, whose consent has enabled waste metal to be recycled and financial help to be provided to UK bereavement charities. Waste that would otherwise have been buried has instead helped improve the lives of countless people across the United Kingdom.”
If you do not wish for metals to be recycled, we will be happy to return them to you. Please let your Funeral Director know before the cremation takes place so that the appropriate arrangements can be made.
Pacemaker Recycling
Mortlake Crematorium is also a collection point for pacemaker recycling. Pacemakers cannot be cremated because they may explode when exposed to the high temperatures within the cremator. They are therefore removed before the person is brought to the crematorium by hospital staff, the Coroner’s staff, an embalmer or the Funeral Director’s staff.
These pacemakers are collected and recycled as part of the ICCM Metals Recycling Scheme, helping to further support bereavement charities while ensuring environmentally responsible disposal.
Charities Supported by Mortlake Crematorium
Since joining the scheme, Mortlake Crematorium has been proud to nominate a number of local and national charities to receive donations through the ICCM Metals Recycling Scheme. These organisations provide invaluable support to bereaved families and to people within our local community.
RNLI (Chiswick) Spread a Smile Space to Grieve Duchenne UK
Compassionate Friends CRUSE Grief Encounter The Good Grief Trust
Lewy Body Society Mulberry Centre Papyrus Child Bereavement UK
British Heart Foundation Teddy’s Wish The London Air Ambulance
Natasha Allergy Research Foundation Remember My Baby
Widowed and Young (WAY) Winston’s Wish
The Princess Alice Hospice sands Age UK (Richmond)
The Royal Marsden, Cancer Charity Prevent Dementia (West London)
Sudden Adult Death Trust (SADS) Cardiac Risk in the Young
Chelsea & Westminster Hospital Child Bereavement Suite
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) MacMillan Nurses
Shooting Star Children’s Hospice Meadow House Hospice, Ealing