DM Hay Candle Recycling Service
At DM Hay, we believe the old wisdom still holds true: “Waste not, want not.”
For generations, this simple phrase reminded families and communities to value what they had, to make it last, and to avoid needless waste. It’s a principle that shaped a more resourceful, responsible way of living — and it’s never been more relevant.
DM Hay's Candle Recycling Service is built on that very foundation. It’s not the easiest route, and currently, it’s not the cheapest either. At present, recycling wax costs more than buying new. The process involves manual labour, collection logistics, and energy, making it more expensive to repurpose used candles than to buy fresh wax.
But here’s the difference:
We firmly believe that with the right processes, collaboration, and commitment, recycling can be developed to cost less than producing new. That’s our long-term goal — to prove that doing the right thing doesn’t have to come at a premium.
This service isn’t just about cost. It’s about conviction:
- It’s about stewardship: caring for creation and using resources wisely
- It’s about character: choosing responsibility over convenience
- It’s about community: encouraging churches to work together toward a shared goal
- And it’s about tradition: honouring the values of thrift, prudence, and integrity that many of us were raised on
We see wax not as waste, but as a valuable raw material — something that, with care and effort, can be reprocessed into high-quality candles that serve the Church once again.
What We’ve Learned So Far
We embarked on this journey with no roadmap — just a conviction that it was the right thing to do. A few years on, we've learned a lot:
1. Many Churches Want to Recycle, But Lack Access
Most churches share our desire to recycle, but don’t have access to a scheme that is affordable or practical.
2. We’ve Built a Viable Process
Through hands-on learning, we’ve developed an efficient system for sorting, cleaning, and remoulding wax into consistent, high-quality candles.
3. The Two Biggest Costs Are Labour and Collection
Manual processing and transport are by far the largest expenses in the recycling chain.
4. Few Sustainable Alternatives Exist
The market is saturated with low-cost paraffin options. Many churches aren’t aware that better alternatives are available.
5. Education Encourages Participation
Helping churches understand the environmental and spiritual value of recycling has led to greater engagement.
6. Simplicity Is Key to Participation
Schemes must be clear and manageable. Over-complication reduces uptake.
Putting Learning Into Action
Based on what we've learned, we are now making several practical changes to make DM Hay's Candle Recycling Service more effective:
1. Reducing Collection Costs
We have set a minimum collection quantity of 10 kg. This helps reduce the number of journeys, lowers fuel costs, and encourages local collaboration between churches.
2. Improving Sorting and Preparation
Churches are now encouraged to pre-sort their used candles, separating different candle types, and avoiding excessively soiled candles. Cleaner inputs mean less labour for us and lower overall processing costs.
We're preparing simple guides and checklists to make this as easy and practical as possible.
How DM Hay's Candle Recycling Service Works
What Is Suitable for Recycling
We accept most types of solid, uncontainerised church candles, including:
- Altar candles
- Vigil candles
- Paschal candles
- Processional candles
- Votive candles (loose, not in holders)
- Pillar candles
These should be free from packaging, fragrance, and colour, and sorted by type.
What Is Unsuitable for Recycling
Certain items cannot be recycled because they are proving too expensive to process, or due to contamination or material incompatibility, for example
- Containerised candles (e.g. sanctuary lights, tealights, votive lights in glass or metal holders)
- Candles made from vegetable waxes (e.g. soya, palm, rapeseed)
- Advent candles and coloured candles (due to the pigments used and their effect on wax quality)
- Candles that are excessively sooted, wet, or mixed with non-wax materials (e.g. plastic, foil, or metal holders)
Packaging and Preparing for Collection
1. Sort candles by type and/or colour and package in clear plastic bags.
2. Place bagged candles into a sturdy cardboard box.
3. Write the weight of the box clearly on its side.
4. Take a photo of each open box showing its contents.
Booking a Collection
5. Visit https://dmhay.co.uk/products/candle-recycling-service to choose the appropriate recycling option.
6. Email info@dmhay.co.uk with:
- Number of boxes
- Weight of each box
- Photo of each open box (JPEG or PDF)
7. We will email you pre-paid courier labels and agree a collection date.
On Collection Day
8. Our courier will collect the boxes between 9am and 5pm on the agreed day.
9. If no one is available, please leave boxes in a dry, secure area.
Simple. Practical. Rewarding.
Don’t let your used candles go to waste — or end up in landfill.
Work with DM Hay to reduce church waste and support more sustainable worship.
We’ll organise and pay for a courier to collect your candle waste from your church.
You pay a small contribution towards the cost of recycling, based on the total weight of the wax returned.
As a thank you, we’ll issue a £1 voucher for every kilogram of wax recycled.
These vouchers can be redeemed against any candle in our beeswax or Classic altar candle range (up to 30" in length).
The Story Behind the Service
DM Hay's Candle Recycling Service was born out of a deep-rooted concern for waste — especially waste of fossil fuel-based materials — and a desire to support churches in lowering their environmental impact.
Why We Started
1. A Dislike of Waste - Most altar candles are 90% paraffin wax, a fossil fuel product. Discarding this material felt wrong both environmentally and morally.
2. Supporting the Church’s Role in Carbon Reduction - Churches play an important part in leading by example. Many of our customers want to reduce their carbon footprint, and we wanted to help.
3. Packaging Wasn’t Enough - While some candle manufacturers began switching to more eco-friendly packaging, we felt that focusing solely on packaging was missing the bigger picture. Altar candles, vigil lights, and other church candles remain predominantly composed of paraffin wax (typically over 90%) and plastic elements, both of which are fossil fuel-based. In our view, changing the outer packaging without addressing the candle itself risked being a token gesture, rather than a meaningful step towards sustainability.
What We've Learnt
We started with no experience. Through investment, experimentation, and commitment, we developed techniques and a dedicated facility to reclaim and repurpose candle wax. Today, we offer a nationwide service helping churches reduce waste and embrace a more sustainable path.
If you're in the area, you are welcome to drop off wax directly to our facility at:
Exeter Business Centre, 39 Marsh Green Road West, Exeter EX2 8PN
A New Chapter in Sustainable Worship
We’re proud of the progress we've made — but we’re not standing still. In response to the enthusiasm and commitment of our customers, we're now preparing to take another step forward.
Coming soon: The Classic Eco Range
Handcrafted altar candles made using a blend of recycled wax and beeswax, offering churches an even more sustainable alternative without compromising quality. Full details to follow.
We hope you’ll join us as we continue to reimagine the role of tradition, responsibility, and sustainability in church life — one candle at a time.
For any enquiries, please contact us at info@dmhay.co.uk
Thank you for helping to stop church waste and support sustainable worship.