A CONGREGATION member who recycles candle wax destined for landfill has raised more than £1000 by selling upcycled candles made from those used in a service at Westminster Abbey.

John Powell collected 891 candles from the abbey, facilitated by the Royal Foundation, following its Together at Christmas Carol Service hosted by the Princess of Wales.

The candles filled a large bin bag and weighed 25kg. The upcycling process took three days and Mr Powell made 83 10oz candles, which sold for a net profit of £12 each. The total made was £1016, including £20 in donations. The money raised is being donated to the Baby Bank, Windsor.

“The Royal Foundation has been fantastic in its support and encouragement. This has become a real collaboration,” he said.

Mr Powell, a worshipper at St Peter’s, Prestbury, in Cheshire, began to collect the leftover wax from the church’s candles (News, 23 January) and was shocked to learn about the waste created. He said: “The candle industry in this country is worth around a billion pounds, but the problem is it creates an enormous amount of waste.”

He said that one of the environmental benefits of upcycling candles is that it uses significantly less energy than producing new candles. Transport costs associated with disposing of old wax are reduced, and upcycling also helps protect wildlife threatened by deforestation for soy production.

Mr Powell has set up the Church Candle Challenge, to encourage congregations to follow his lead. He has posted videos on YouTube, showing others how to upcycle candles. He also plans to set up a forum for the exchange of ideas.

churchcandlechallenge@gmail.com