Dignity is eco award finalist
WINCHFIELD-BASED PET CREMATORIUM SELECTED AS A FINALIST IN FSB ENVIRONMENTAL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR ECO EFFORTS
A NORTH east Hampshire pet crematorium is in the running for a top environmental award.
Dignity has been selected as a finalist in the FSB Environmental Business of the Year award thanks to its efforts to make the business as environmentally friendly as possible.
Solar panels were installed at the Winchfield-based business in 2011 to reduce its carbon footprint and the team is continually looking for new ways to recycle waste materials produced at the crematorium.
This includes metal parts of collars and implants that survive the cremation process, which are sent to an innovative company called Orthometals, who recycle the materials and donate a proportion of the profits to charities chosen by Dignity.
The natural surroundings, including a Grade II listed brick kiln in the grounds, are also important to Dignity.
Memorial bird boxes, bird feeders, log piles and wild flowers feature within the gardens to encourage bees and insects, and all paths are made from wood chippings from fallen trees.
There is even a dog sensory area with a selection of different herbs and plants.
The woodlands where ashes are scattered and interred is also used to release rescued hedgehogs and has been home to several beehives thanks to a local award-winning beekeeper.
The firm also offers a range of biodegradable options to clients for their pet’s ashes, including bamboo scatter pouches and biourns that grow a tree once buried.
Dignity was opened in 1992 by Barry and Carole Spurgeon and is now run by their son, Kevin Spurgeon, who was awarded an honorary fellowship at the University of Winchester in 2015 for the ethical way in which the business is run.
He said: “We’re really excited to be nominated for this award honouring the efforts we are making to reduce our impact on the environment.
“I am passionate about making the business as eco-friendly as possible. Not only do we use solar energy to power the premises, but we do as much as possible to support our natural surroundings, including encouraging natural wildlife and releasing rehabilitated hedgehogs.”
Along with their environmental efforts, Dignity regularly donates money to animal-based charities through the charity wishing well installed on the grounds.
Areas are also reserved in the natural woodland for the ashes of animals that have died while in the care of local rescue centres. The award winners will be announced during a lunch at the Hickstead International Showground on March 26.
I am passionate about making the business as eco-friendly as possible.