£8K boost to charity after cash raised through metal recycling scheme

Councillor Neil Emmott presenting the cheque to Donna Arden-McKenna, manager of Home-Start Rochdale

Local charity Home-Start has been chosen as the first to receive a cash donation raised from recycling metals remaining after cremations.

The nationwide recycling scheme, run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM), sees metals left over after cremation collected and sent to the Netherlands twice a year for processing. The money raised from the sale of the metals is divided between all 260 ICCM members to be distributed to charities locally. Each charity must provide services or support for bereaved residents.

Metal from steel hip joints and titanium plates used during surgery for bone fractures, and teeth fillings were previously buried within the cemetery but this process means that they can be recycled into aircraft, car and construction industry products. The recovery of the metals is always done with the permission of the family of the deceased.

Last year almost £1.7m was raised by British crematoriums through the system with 66 tonnes of high grade metals being recycled. The Dutch specialists have been recycling this type of material for more than 20 years.

Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for environment at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Recycling this kind of metal is particularly sensitive but I hope that the families of our bereaved residents are able to take comfort from the fact that the money raised goes to support local charities like Home-Start. It is their generous choice, at a difficult time, that could take away some of the unnecessary stress of others going through a similar situation.”

Home-Start offer support across the borough to those experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties and bereavement related issues. They rely on public donations and volunteers for much of their work. The charity is the first to benefit since the council joined the scheme at the end of 2018.

Donna Arden-McKenna, manager of Home-Start Rochdale, said, “It will make a real difference to our capacity to support local families who come to us in distress due to life threatening illness or bereavement. Thanks to the generosity of bereaved families we are able to offer a shoulder to cry on for those in need. We provide a relaxed and confidential service in the comfort of their own home for as long as they need.”