Possible Ecological Impact of Varnishes and Paints Used In The Funeral Industry

One of today’s world’s biggest issues is the impact that various industries have on the environment. In the face of a constantly growing demand for different products, every industry should be concerned about its effect on the natural ecosystem. One of many industry branches facing this dilemma that could benefit from more eco-conscious solutions, is the funeral industry. As of current scientific knowledge, we know that high amounts of harmful substances contained in paints and varnishes lead directly to environmental damage. Almost all coatings being used in different industry branches have in chemical composition many petroleum polymers that are very difficult to degrade and recycle. Solvents, pigments and resins are 3 major elements with leading impact to soils and groundwater pollution. (R.B. Weimer, D.M. Wright, T.
Hodgins Paints and polymers, 2020) This article presents, with its main point, the magnitude of the impact that chemical substances used in the funeral industry may have on the natural ecosystem, focusing mainly on soil and groundwater pollution. The second part of the article explores different ways of how the manufacturing process could be improved, so that the industry that takes care of such elementary and crucial parts of human culture as funeral ceremonies and burial could be more sustainable and less harmful to the environment.