As we live our lives, we humans steadily pollute the planet. And when we die, we have our final opportunity to concentrate poison into the Earth. And boy do we make the most of it.

Your average casket is made out of wood, which biodegrades. But few funeral planners are opting for unfinished pine boxes. Instead we slather that casket in stains and polyurethane finishes, and fasten the joinery with polyvinyl acetate glue. We fill that casket with shiny synthetic textiles covering a thin foam mattress attached to plywood laminated with formaldehyde glue. We add a foam pillow, also covered in faux silk. Then we attach all of the metal hardware, and we lacquer or topcoat that stuff too.

Then the casket goes into the ground, and spends the next several decades slowly releasing its toxic payload into the soil, polluting any nearby groundwater sources. Outside of industrial sites, cemeteries contain some of the most polluted soils in any given community.

The problem is irreversible, but a Dutch company called Loop Biotech hopes to stop contributing to it. Headed up by architect Bob Hendrikx, who had been working with mycelium since his student days at TU Delft, the company produces mushroom-based coffins.

Their Loop Living Cocoon is grown in just seven days from mushrooms, with the mycelium being combined with upcycled hemp to strengthen the structure.

The coffins can be lined with moss rather than polyurethane foam. Once they go into the ground, the units begin breaking down after 30 to 45 days, and the mycelium releases beneficial nutrients into the soil.

They're also lightweight. Your average wooden coffin weighs around 200 lbs empty, whereas the Living Cocoon tips the scales around 60 lbs.

As for price, they run €1,500 to €2,000 (USD $1,600 to $2,150). Your average softwood coffin goes for less than that, but hardwood coffins can cost far more.