The aggregate effects of cremating the remains of pets and humans have a significant environmental effect due to the carbon dioxide cremation chambers release. Aquamation, by contrast, is compact and efficient, and generates no direct emissions of its own making it one of the greenest means of final disposition, writes Eleanor Cummins.
The aquamation process is simple. Over a 20-hour cycle, alkalized water decomposes all of the body’s proteins and fats. The water drains into the local wastewater system. What remains are the bones that can be pulverized and returned to owners similar to ashes.
Source: The Atlantic, June 13, 2023. Link. By some estimates, aquamation has about one-tenth of the environmental impact of flame cremation or, if operators purchase their electricity from renewable sources, even less. Today, alkaline hydrolysis is an option for animals nationwide and is legal for humans in 28 states.