After cremation: Recycling surgical implants (BBC)
Photography student Harry Lloyd-Evans photographs surgical implants that are recovered and recycled after cremation.
HARRY LLOYD-EVANS
"For my final project at Falmouth University, I intended to show the day-to-day working life of a crematorium," says Press and Editorial Photography student Harry Lloyd-Evans. "But this all changed when I saw three recycling bins full of metal medical implants, ready to be sent to Holland and melted down. I knew straightaway that I wanted to document and follow their journey."
"I spent a number of weeks at different crematoria across the UK, carrying out the project in a dignified and respectful manner. I saw all kinds of items retrieved from the furnaces, from knee and hip replacements to gold coins."
"Permission for recycling is sought from relatives," says Harry. "Many crematoria then work with a Dutch company that specialises in sorting and recycling metal remains after cremation. Some of the proceeds are returned to the crematorium, who may choose to donate the money to charity."
"High value metals that survive the cremation process may be sold for use i...
