Loop Biotech, a Dutch start-up, has produced coffins and urns made with mushroom mycelium that can decompose naturally, providing nutrients to the soil for new plant growth. Founder Bob Hendrikx created the products to allow people to be a part of the cycle of life and contribute to the environment after death. Combining the root structure of mushrooms, also known as mycelium, and organic materials, the caskets and urns can break down in the soil in about six weeks. The purpose is to enrich the soil for new life and growth, which is why the company has partnered with Natuurbegraven Nederland, an organization providing protected burial habitats in parks.
For €995 ($1,065), customers can purchase one of Loop Biotech’s mushroom-based coffins, while urns cost €196.80 ($210). The urns also come with a seed and can be planted with a sapling, allowing the ashes to foster plant growth. Hendrikx stated that his creation adds a new narrative for death and the soil. When a person passes away, their remains can contribute to something greater by giving life to new vegetation. Mushrooms are also the world’s biggest recyclers, and the founder wanted to tie this into the project, as well.
The company’s production capacity can reach up to 500 coffins or urns each month. Its products have captured the attention of the Northern European countries with high environmental consciousness. Successful in some areas, Loop Biotech is shipping its products across Europe.
The new innovation hopes to pave a way to a more eco-friendly path for burial options, rather than traditional funerals. By using the natural properties of mushrooms, people can decompose in harmony with nature. The biodegradable caskets and urns can replace the conventional use of toxins and inorganic materials found in traditional coffins, which can cause long-lasting damage to the environment.
In conclusion, Loop Biotech is offering an ecologically-sound alternative to the conventional choices for caskets and urns. The mycelium-based products originated from the founder’s vision of giving back to the environment and enriching soil for new life and growth. This is why Loop Biotech’s coffins and urns are a new narrative for the conventional story of death and decay. By using a more sustainable approach, people contribute to the environment in a positive way even after they pass away.
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