Scots crematoriums ‘sell fillings for scrap metal’

Warriston Crematorium has recovered metal from ash and sold it on for scrap. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The metal can be turned into items such as street signs or even car parts.

Around two tonnes of metal is recovered by Dutch company Orthometals each year from eight Scottish crematoriums: Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, Perth, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow Craigton, Edinburgh Seafield , Edinburgh Warriston and Masonhill in Ayrshire.

Magnets and tongs are used to extract any metal left over after cremations, including joint screws and even coffin nails.

This is then sold for scrap with the proceeds going to charity.

The success of the scheme was revealed to councillors by Fife Council’s bereavement services manager Liz Murphy.

She said today: “Our crematoriums in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline have been recycling metals since 2007.

“In previous years we would have buried this material discreetly in the crematorium gardens but space was becoming an issue. Recycling not only benefits the environment, but 80 per cent of the proceeds also go to bereavement-related charities including Cancer Research and the Heart Foundation.”

She added: “Families are always asked for their permission before any metal is recycled.”

A replacement hip costs the NHS around £1,500 but its scrap value is just £2.15.