A new business recycling old candles into bespoke pieces has opened in Ottery.
Residents have begun browsing round the Recycled Candle Company in Mill Street which is the brainchild of business partners Richard Hills-Ingyon and Sargon Latchin.
The pair made a snap decision to take over the premises two weeks ago, as Richard is preparing to make Christmas orders for companies across the UK.
Sargon, 28, said: “We made a decision on the Monday night and the keys in the morning. We knew it was the right thing to do.”
The business makes its products by collecting old candles, then melting and treating the wax before pouring into shapes or glass.
Richard, who grew up in Sidbury, was introduced to candle making aged seven to keep him and his brothers occupied during a rainy day.
He continued his hobby, making candles for friends and family, before deciding to turn his passion into a business and has spent years perfecting techniques to purify the old wax.
Richard, who is a passionate recycler, said: “10 per cent of every batch is waste, it’s too dirty to make something with. We will not thrown any wax away and instead make fire lighters with it.
“I was aware that growing up in a beautiful area like East Devon that rubbish has to go somewhere.”
After meeting Sargon in London, the pair officially launched the business three years ago and now make orders for 30 stores across the UK.
Sargon said: “It has been a learning process on how to do it on a large scale, figuring out how to make it look like it is not recycled.”
They hope to offer candle making workshops and classes and for the shop to become a community space.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here