The practice of burying deceased pets in the backyard may become obsolete due to a new body disposal technique called 'aquamation' or alkaline hydrolysis. According to MailOnline, this method involves rapidly decomposing the body using water and alkaline chemicals, resulting in liquid and bones as the sole remnants.
The resulting liquid, referred to as 'effluent,' can be safely disposed of down the drain along with other wastewater, while the bones can be ground into ashes for the grieving owner to keep. Aquamation serves as an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional burials and cremations, which consume substantial amounts of fuel and release greenhouse gases.
A woman places offerings to her pet at "Te Dong Vat Nga" pagoda, which means all lives are equal, a cemetary for dogs and cats in Hanoi on August 15, 2019.
How Does Aquamation Work?
Aquamationn or alkaline hydrolysis has been around since 1888, according to the website of Heavenly Paws Pet Aquamation. In the United States, aquamation is already being utilized not only for pets but also for human bodies, and Scotland may soon become the first region in the UK to adopt this practice.
The process commences by placing a pet's body within a pressurized stainless steel chamber. Occasionally, the body is enclosed in a sealed bag before entering the chamber. The chamber is then filled with a solution comprising 95% water and 5% alkaline chemicals, such as potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, or a combination thereof.
The temperature of the solution-filled chamber is raised to approximately 350 ℉. Through a combination of pressure and chemicals, the body's decomposition is expedited by breaking down chemical bonds, a process known as hydrolysis, which is facilitated by heat.
Water cremation, taking a similar duration as traditional flame-based cremation at approximately two to three hours, concludes with the drainage of the water and alkali solution from the chamber. The resulting liquid comprises a mixture of amino acids, peptides, sugars, and salts.
The water can be filtered, purified, and reintegrated into the natural water cycle. What remains after the process are bone fragments and flour-like white ash. Larger bone fragments can be rinsed and pulverized. The ash, about 20% more in quantity compared to traditional cremation, can be returned to the owner in a pet urn.
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Eco-Friendly Way of Body Disposal
Resting Waters, a Seattle-based company, provides aquamation services for deceased pets. The cost ranges from $90 (£70) for small animals to $550 (£430) for larger ones, comparable to traditional cremation prices.
In Singapore, the Green Mortician offers water cremation exclusively for pets. Their charges can go up to SG$1,377 (£810) for larger pets, which includes additional services such as a bamboo urn for the remains and a '2D paw imprint'.
Aquamation, as reported by the Atlantic, has a significantly lower environmental impact compared to flame cremation, which consumes substantial fuel and releases high levels of carbon dioxide and pollutants into the atmosphere. The average cremation is responsible for approximately 535 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to driving around 600 miles in a car.
As MailOnline reported, traditional burial methods have their drawbacks as well, with non-biodegradable vessels taking years to decompose and even compostable options negatively impacting soil health and vegetation growth. Burials also face limitations in terms of available green space and permits for shared areas.
Public burial plots often come with long waiting lists and high costs. While the price of aquamation might be prohibitive for some pet owners currently, there is hope that as the technology gains popularity, the costs will decrease. Some companies envision aquamation as a viable option not only for pets but also for human body disposal.
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