'Green' coffins a grave threat
2005-11-07 16:02
Cape Town - The timber of invasive alien trees cleared off watersheds and river systems around the countryis to be used to make "eco-friendly" coffins, said the Working for Water Programme (WWP) on Monday.
"A partnership between the WWP, key government departments and faith-based groups has been awarded $150 000 (about R1m) for a two-year pilot project to manufacture eco-friendly coffins," said WWP.
The organisation is a flagship government initiative aimed at eradicating the invasive plants that infest millions of hectares of South Africa, while employing and training thousands of poor people at the same time.
Project leader Shaun Cozette said the solid-wood coffins would sell for between R450 and R500.
They would be made to the "same standards as you would buy from anyone else" in the industry.
R6 000 for 'bottom-of-the-line'
The WWP was using cleared pine wood to build prototypes, but planned, as the project got going, to start making coffins out of blue-gum timber, he said.
The price of the WWP's coffins looks set to stand South Africa's funeral trade on its head.
According to one funeral parlour, a solid-wood, bottom-of-the-range "casket" will set the buyer back about R6 000.
Plain, unpainted chipboard coffins cost from R650 upwards.
The WWP initiative appears to be aimed at the country's poor, who struggle to meet the high cost of burying their dead.
It is also in line with the programme's aim of "adding value" to the alien wood it clears, and the creation of more downstream jobs.
WWP communications officer Ramona Baijnath said anyone interested in finding out more about the eco-friendly coffins should e-mail cozettes@dwaf.gov.za or contact the WWP's toll-free line on 0800 005 376.
It is understood the coffins will soon be sold through partnerships the WWP is forging with existing undertaking businesses.
- SAPA