Return to Sender is the subject of a recent case study by the Ministry for the Environment. A PDF of the document can be downloaded from the ministrys web site. The case study focuses mainly on the environmental benefits but also discusses plywood in terms of it being an iconic kiwi material, aesthetics, simplicity and social benefits derived form the low sides of the Artisan.
The report recognises that the influence of design can have benefits beyond those achieved by replacing a toxic product with an environmentally preferable one. A product that goes beyond this can become eco-iconic and help forward sustainable thinking to influence product manufacture and consumption.
My sister and I cremated our beautiful mother recently in a Return to Sender Artisan casket. We really appreciated the casket as a more sustainable option than a conventional one. We also liked the greater accessibility the casket gave us when it was open. The tactile qualities of the plywood, and even its ability to absorb tears, were welcome improvements on a traditional casket with its cold, formal look. We know our mum would have been delighted to have been sent off in the Artisan casket, and would recommend it to anyone looking for an eco-friendly celebration of a family member's life.
Simon Noble, Dunedin
It has fresh ideas, very clever. I like how it clips together, and its usability. It is ahead of its time. It attracts a lot of attention in the showroom. It is good to have an eye to the future regarding emissions at crematoriums and the use of natural materials.
Craig Little, Davis Funeral Services (Referring to the Artisan)