Environmental & Sustainability Ploicy
We recognise that caring for the environment is as important as caring for the families we serve.
LAST REVIEWED APRIL 4TH 2026
Environmental & Sustainability Ploicy
At Harold P Heywood, T. Collins & Son, and Wild & Brierley we recognise that caring for the environment is as important as caring for the families we serve. With a combined heritage of over 200 years serving the Oldham community, we understand the responsibility we carry not only to those who have passed and their loved ones, but to the world we leave behind for future generations.
This policy sets out our commitment to environmental responsibility and the practical steps we are taking to reduce our impact on the environment.
Our Commitment
We are committed to minimising our environmental impact wherever possible, offering families meaningful eco-friendly choices, and being transparent about the options available to them. We continuously review and seek to improve our environmental practices, and we comply fully with all relevant environmental legislation and regulations. We see sustainability not as an obligation, but as a reflection of the values that have guided our family businesses for generations.
Eco-Friendly Funeral Options
We believe every family should have access to environmentally considerate funeral options. We currently offer:
Biodegradable Coffins
We offer a range of biodegradable coffins crafted from natural materials such as willow, bamboo, seagrass, and recycled cardboard. These coffins are designed to return naturally to the earth, reducing the environmental impact of burial and cremation.
Green & Natural Burial Options
We support families who wish to choose a green or natural burial for their loved one. Natural burials take place in designated woodland or meadow settings, without embalming chemicals, in biodegradable coffins or shrouds. This allows the body to return naturally to the earth while contributing to the preservation of natural habitats.
We are happy to advise families on natural burial sites available in and around the Oldham area and to coordinate all arrangements on their behalf.
Waste & Recycling
We are committed to reducing the waste generated through our day-to-day operations. We recycle paper, cardboard, plastics, and glass across all three of our premises, and we are actively working to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics within our offices and preparation facilities. Clinical and sensitive waste is disposed of responsibly and in full accordance with current regulations. We review our suppliers and the materials we use on a regular basis, with a view to choosing more sustainable alternatives wherever they are available.
Energy & Resources
We are taking practical steps to reduce our energy consumption across all of our premises. We are progressively replacing our lighting with energy-efficient LED alternatives, and we encourage all members of staff to switch off equipment and lighting when it is not in use. We are also working to reduce unnecessary printing by moving towards digital documentation where it is appropriate and practical to do so. We will continue to review our overall energy usage and explore the possibility of renewable energy sources for our premises as part of our longer-term commitments.
Transportation
Transportation is an essential part of our work in caring for the deceased and serving families across Oldham, and we are committed to managing our vehicle fleet as responsibly as possible. We plan our routes efficiently to avoid unnecessary mileage, and we maintain all of our vehicles to manufacturer standards to ensure they operate as fuel-efficiently as possible. When the time comes to replace vehicles within our fleet, the environmental credentials of those vehicles will form an important part of our decision-making process.
Suppliers & Partners
We recognise that our environmental impact extends beyond the boundaries of our own operations. Where possible, we choose local suppliers to reduce transportation emissions and to support the wider Oldham economy. We favour suppliers who demonstrate a genuine commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices, and we review our supply chain on a regular basis with sustainability firmly in mind.
Staff Awareness
We encourage all of our staff to play an active role in supporting our environmental commitments. This means following our recycling and waste procedures across all premises, being willing to suggest improvements to our environmental practices, and being well informed about the eco-friendly funeral options we offer so that they can advise families clearly, honestly, and sensitively when the subject arises.
Continuous Improvement
We understand that environmental best practice continues to evolve, and we are committed to reviewing and improving this policy on an ongoing basis. We will review this policy annually, set measurable environmental targets where we are able to do so, and stay informed of developments in eco-friendly funeral practices and products. We will share relevant updates with families through our website and social media channels so that they are always aware of the options available to them.
Contacting Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, please contact us:
