Whilst at first glance the RHS Chelsea Flower Show might seem like a sustainable oasis, the very nature of transforming a piece of land in central London over a month-long period into a host of different gardens and exhibits makes it far from this. Transportation, hard landscaping and high water usage all have a negative impact on the environment but we are doing all we can to reduce the impact that the Memoria & GreenAcres Transcendence Garden will have.
The best way to make a Chelsea garden more sustainable is to re-purpose it when the show ends and ensure that it has a life afterwards. Extending the life-span of the garden for many years will significantly reduce the impact of the embedded carbon in elements such as the concrete pavilion whilst also ensuring that none of the materials end up in landfill.
We are planning to relocate the Memoria & GreenAcres Transcendence to the grounds of the Memoria North Oxfordshire Memorial Park and Crematorium. The site opened in 2020 and features the first electric cremator in the UK. Cremation can have a negative impact on the environment, with a single gas cremation having roughly the same domestic energy demands that one person would consume in a month. Electric cremators reduce emissions of carbon by c. 90% and nitrous oxide by c. 50% compared to gas cremators.
Once relocated, the garden will offer a tranquil setting for those grieving to reflect on and remember their loved ones and open up about their loss.
Memoria North Oxfordshire Memorial Park and Crematorium
