Far Eastern University (FEU) Institute of Accounts, Business, and Finance (IABF) students were hailed as champions of the Inter-School Product Innovation Competition Year 3 for their biodegradable urn project, held at the University of Caloocan City, last March 27.

The winning project, named ‘Eturnity,’ is an innovative biodegradable urn that transforms pet ashes, allowing them to naturally reintegrate back into nature.

Additionally, the urn is crafted from sustainable organic materials, such as rice bran, a by-product in the production of rice.

Eturnity was designed to naturally decompose over time, allowing new life to emerge from the buried bio-urn and ashes of the deceased pets, forming a plant or tree.

Through the use of Eturnity, pet owners can contribute to the development of the businesses that promote the use of eco-friendly alternatives.

Business Administration student and member Raezon Gonzales explains that the bio-urn is a sustainable alternative to traditional caskets and urns that are non-biodegradable and help contribute to long-term environmental issues. 

“This product not only focuses on generating profit but also on positively contributing to the ecosystem and balancing social, economic, and environmental goals,” he added.

The group consists of eight IABF students—Gonzales, Wendy Kessiah Alfaro, Mark Jholo Arenas, Paul Brian Ballaran, Jasmine Amor Burgos, Vaneza Ann Collado, Julia Rafaela Dieza, and Jade Ann Ilagan—who initially presented the biodegradable urn as part of their market research, under the advisorship of Poy Sta. Maria.

Team Eturnity bested five other universities, including Adamson University and the Technological University of the Philippines, who placed first and second runners-up, respectively.

- Art Santiago

(Photo courtesy of Events Management, BS Entrepreneurship - Main Campus)