The past year has been a milestone year for St. Eval. Last summer, we finally completed and moved into our beautiful new production and office facility here on the farm. The exterior is breathtaking, clad with sustainable wood and home to over 100 kilowatts of Solar PV on the roof, complete with air source heating throughout; this is a true source of pride for us all. In addition to the “big move,” we proudly obtained B Corp accreditation, a significant achievement that not only stands on its own but also charts a positive path forward for us.
This accreditation demonstrates our commitment to becoming a purpose-driven business that pursues purpose as well as profit. We view it as a transformative step that propels us towards a future filled with opportunity, impact, and shared success.
This report serves as a testament to our collective commitment to creating a positive impact on society and the environment, while also driving sustainable business practices. It also serves as an opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments, challenges, and future aspirations. We firmly believe that sustainability is a powerful driver of success, benefiting not only the environment but our business as a whole. Through strategic investments in sustainable practices, we are cultivating long-term value for all our stakeholders.
Our commitment to sustainability is not merely a choice; it is a pathway towards a thriving future for both our business and the world we inhabit. We continue to push forward with people and the planet at the forefront of our minds.
2010
Installed 10kw of solar panels on our factory roof
2017
Installed a further 10kw of solar panels on our factory roof
2023
Added bee bricks, bat boxes & swift boxes to our building and around our pond
2011
Installed a wind turbine to help power our factory
2013
Created a corn bunting field on the farm as a haven for endangered birds
2016
Installed two biomass boilers to expand our renewable energy generation
2021 Received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development
2022
Installed a waste treatment plant on-site that takes effluent and breaks it down into clean water
Installed a further 100kw of solar panels as part of our new factory expansion Began harvesting rainwater for our lake
Created a swallow friendly area in the factory for nesting
“As a B Corp, sustainability lies at the very heart of our mission. We are fueled by our commitment to leave a positive mark on the planet and the communities we serve.”
Creating an environment that enriches people’s lives and treading softly on the earth is the St. Eval vision which began over 28 years ago, and these values remain at our very heart.
St. Eval was founded in 1993 on a picturesque farm in North Cornwall by Tim and Sara Young-Jamieson. Right from the start, we held a deep commitment to giving back to the local community and becoming an employer of choice in the area. As we flourished, so did our dedication to the preservation of the environment and the diverse wildlife that surrounded us.
We first learned about the B Corp movement in 2020 and immediately recognized it as an incredible
opportunity to evaluate and enhance the ethical and sustainable path we had been following for almost three decades. Engaging with this movement allowed us to identify fresh areas for improvement and progress. The certification process itself was rigorous and demanding, aligning perfectly with our unwavering commitment to meet and exceed the highest standards of ethical business practices and sustainability. Becoming a B Corp entails more than just obtaining a certification. It serves as a gateway to a community of like-minded businesses that share our goals. This connection enables us to collaborate with and learn from others, fostering the exchange of ideas and knowledge.
We are honored to be part of the global B Corp community and remain committed in our pursuit of creating lasting value for our team, customers, community, and the planet we call home.
0%
99%
of single use plastic items to be sold
100%
of waste to be recycled by 2030
50%
of packaging we send out to be recyclable or compostable
of wax used to have come from renewable sources by 2023
100%
reduction in diesel fuelled company vehicles, by switching to electric alternatives
20%
reduction of tCO2e per £1 million turnover on 2020
Aligned with the UK Government’s initiative to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, at St. Eval we are committed to sustainability. Starting in 2023, we will begin measuring our carbon footprint to more accurately assess our environmental impact.
Our goal is to become Net Zero by 2030. To achieve this, we will establish an in-house environmental team and set ambitious targets each year to progressively reduce our emissions. By 2030, any remaining unavoidable emissions will be offset.
We firmly believe in prioritising emission reduction efforts before resorting to offsetting measures, as we strive to minimise our overall impact on the environment.
By being a B Corp, we are held accountable to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. This drives us to continually improve and innovate, ensuring that our actions align with our purpose and contribute to a more sustainable future.
While we have made significant progress by increasing our score in four out of the five sections of the B Corp assessment, we acknowledge that there are still areas where we can further enhance our performance. The assessment acts as a valuable framework for us to evaluate our impact and progress. It not only helps us monitor our current performance but also challenges us to strive for continuous improvement. We are committed to actively measuring our efforts and working diligently to enhance our performance across all areas before our next recertification in 2025.
85.3
85.3 Overall B Impact Score Qualifies for B Corp Certification
80 50.9
Median Score for Ordinary Businesses
People are at the very heart of St. Eval. We firmly believe that our success and ability to create positive change are intricately tied to the wellbeing, growth, and empowerment of every individual within our organisation. By fostering a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous learning, we harness the collective talents, perspectives, and passions of our team members to tackle societal and environmental challenges with purpose and resilience.
50% Increased employee staff discount to 50%
Enhanced training and development opportunities for employees to develop their knowledge and skills
We became a Real Living Wage Employer and a Mindful Employer
33 Increased employee holiday allowance to 33 days
Rolled out the cycle to work scheme for all employees, and installed a bike shed with bike chargers and shower
Introduced an employee support service from CiC (wellbeing, legal and financial support)
Bi-annual employee social events —›
+2
In 2022 we committed to hybrid working for our office based teams and adjusted the working week for our operationsbased teams so they could finish at 2pm on a Friday
Monthly all hands meetings with guest speakers in our new canteen
Onboarded 2 apprentices and supported their education
Introduce death in service insurance for all employee’s
Launching our first employee appraisal system August 2023
Using employee feedback as a catalyst to implement real change that employees want to see
Create a learning and development strategy for our people
Creating a strong sense of community
Our commitment to community engagement and support has been a driving force in our B Corp journey. We recognised the importance of fostering a strong sense of community and took several initiatives to make a positive impact.
Support local charity People & Gardens through a volunteer program. Giving all employees the opportunity to volunteer for a day
Donate £1 from the sale of our Love, Hope & Freedom candles to UK charity Unseen
Donate to our local foodbanks at Christmas
What we said we would do...
Unseen Charity:
Unseen is a UK charity based in Bristol. They provide safehouses and support in the community for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery. They also run the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline and work with individuals, communities, business, governments, other charities and statutory agencies to stamp out slavery for good. Find
People & Gardens:
People and Gardens was established in 1997 to assist people with learning disabilities and mental health issues to develop work and social skills to enable them to take control over their own lives. They believe we should all work together to break down social barriers, promote acceptance, and educate and to support each other.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust:
Cornwall Wildlife Trust believes in a wilder future for Cornwall, where our wildlife and wild places are cherished for all to enjoy. With the support of our members, we implement projects on land and at sea, conducting campaigns and managing wild spaces to ensure nature in Cornwall thrives for future generations.
The Trussell Trust:
The Trussell Trust is an NGO and charity that works to end the need for food banks in the United Kingdom. They support a nationwide network of food banks and together they provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.
We have committed to donating 1% of our turnover to charity in 2023.
Donated £12,000 to Unseen UK, from our Love, Hope & Freedom collection
Partnered with Cornwall Wildlife Trust and pledged £150,000 over 3-years to support the Beaver project at Helman Tor
£12,000
Donated to Unseen UK
£150,000
Donated to Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Monthly candle donation to staff and volunteers of charities across the South West and further afield, eliminating products going to landfill
Opted out of Black Friday, choosing to donate £1,000 to The Trussell Trust instead
£1,000
Donated to The Trussell Trust
Staff undertook 33 hours of paid volunteering with People & Gardens
We committed to donating 1% of turnover to charity in 2023
Donate 1% of turnover to charity in 2023
We aim to increase our employee volunteering hours
“Through these initiatives, we have recognised the essential role of community in driving positive change and have actively contributed to making a difference in the lives of individuals and organisations in our society.”
In April 2023, we announced the launch of an exciting three-year partnership with Cornwall Wildlife Trust, beginning an incredible journey that we hope will lead to introducing beavers at Helman Tor nature reserve.
The project has appointed Cornwall’s first ever Beaver Officer who will work towards achieving the first ever licensed wild release of beavers into Cornwall’s landscape since they were hunted to extinction over 400 years ago.
Having supported Cornwall Wildlife Trust for many years, we are honoured to be able to go one step further with this incredible project; helping to shape nature and build for the future. Beavers bring considerable benefits to wildlife, and we are so excited to see this first-hand at Helman Tor.
Photo credit: Adrian Langdon
We will be donating £150,000 over the next three years to support the team at Cornwall Wildlife Trust as they undertake socio-economic assessments and collect baseline data with an end goal of introducing beavers to Helman Tor nature reserve.
We prioritised sustainability throughout the construction of our expansion, taking numerous steps to minimise disruptions and create a new home not just for ourselves, but also for wildlife and nature. We installed bat and swift boxes in our new building from Cornish company green&blue.
The trees planted at St. Eval have been chosen primarily for their value to wildlife, whilst considering the wind site and inland coastal conditions. Most trees are native to the UK, whilst the Crimean limes were chosen with their durability in mind but also to show solidarity with Ukraine.
Eliminate plastic from all diffuser and candle products —›
—›
Reduce the need for fossil fuels for our heating and hot water to near zero by installing additional solar panels
Increase our recycling rate onsite from 96% to 97% —›
—›
* We have started the process of recording our emissions and hope to have this completed soon
Record employee commuting and air travel emissions* —›
Setup rainwater harvesting from our factory roof to feed our lake
* Our innovative air-source heating system harnesses natural heat from the air to provide warmth and comfort, reducing our carbon footprint and exemplifying our commitment to utilising eco-friendly technologies.
Installed air source heaters in new factory*
Installed two bat boxes on site —›
2 Electric vehicle chargers installed
Created a wildlife lake with Cornish company Happy Habitats
Contacted GEP Environmental consultancy services to begin the process of recording our scope 3 emissions
Eliminated plastic from our diffuser range by replacing the plastic lid with metal
4 Swift box’s and bird feeders installed on site
Installed additional solar panels to our new factory roof
Won ‘Most Sustainable Organisation’ at the Cornwall Sustainability Awards, receiving external recognition for our sustainable business practices
1 Bee Hotel installed
1 Waste treatment plant installed - breaking effluent down into clean water
Donate 1% of turnover to charity in 2023
Continue to work on recording employee commuting and air travel emissions
“We have proudly operated on our farm in Engollan, Cornwall, for almost three decades. Throughout this time, we have continuously improved and expand our facilities while keeping sustainability as our guiding principle.”
Our customers share in our values and support us in our mission, forming a vital part of our St. Eval community. We actively seek and appreciate their feedback, fostering a collaborative environment where every customer has a voice. We believe that this inclusive approach helps us to constantly enhance and perfect our candles and fragrances, delivering exceptional value that goes beyond artisan home goods.
Our customers have the power to influence and shape our impact on society and the environment through their purchasing decisions. Therefore, understanding the importance of customers and their role in our B Corp journey is crucial.
We ran focus groups and surveys to gain valuable feedback and insight into our customer base
Beautiful products, sustainably packed and delivered quickly. I have used St. Eval products for several years and they never dissapoint.
Have bought from St. Eval multiple times now and always receive everything well, sustainably packaged and in quick time.
Developed resources to educate customers about sustainable practices and the eco-friendly materials we use, empowering them to make informed choices aligned with their values
Purchasing was easy. Arrived quickly. Lovely quality items. Website set out well.
We will continue using recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable materials for all products and packaging Communicate material choices to customers more clearly
“At St. Eval, we truly believe in the power of genuine connections with our customers; they are the driving force behind the positive changes and sustainable practices we aim to achieve and inspire us to push boundaries.”
In our commitment to robust governance practices, we have taken significant steps to ensure that our operations align with our mission and values. We recognise the critical role our suppliers play in shaping our environmental impact, and we have implemented stringent environmental protocols for all suppliers.
Ensure all of our suppliers meet (or are working towards) aligning with our strict environmental protocols
What we said we would do...
Through these measures, we uphold our commitment to ethical and responsible decision-making, ensuring that our business practices align with our mission of creating positive and lasting change.
We have introduced a Supplier Code of Conduct and asked all of our suppliers to sign up to it
—›
We are the highest level SEDEX registered and expect suppliers to meet the same high level standards
11
Screening questions set up to ask new suppliers
Set up supplier screening questions for new suppliers to enable us to learn more about their business before we begin working together
Updated our Articles of Association to include mission-aligned legal language to ensure we consider people, planet and profit when making decisions
0 Moved to Devon Contract Waste, who send zero waste into landfill
19
Relationships built with new suppliers whose values align with ours
Sharing our B Corp Impact Report with all our suppliers
Increase the percentage of UK and Europe suppliers we work with
“We aim to increase the percentage of UK suppliers we work with, further bolstering our local partnerships and contributing to regional sustainability efforts.”
The flickering warmth of firelight has been with us for thousands of years – a guiding beacon, a spiritual symbol, a romantic gesture and a comforting presence. In the soothing embrace of candlelight, we are transported to our ancient roots, uniting us through the ages as captivating stories and meditative ambiance intertwine. We created St. Eval with the belief that by crafting these symbolic products of connection, we could foster a sense of togetherness and warmth in the lives of our customers.
Over three decades ago, my late husband and I dreamt up the brave idea to start St. Eval in the family farmhouse kitchen – within a few months, we were on our way to Bavaria to collect our very first Drawing machine! Little did we know that this small spark of an idea would grow into the radiant light that is St. Eval today. From the very beginning, our intentions were to create nature-inspired fragrances that transport you to the enchanting corners of Cornwall, where nature’s wonders inspire our every creation, whilst treading softly on the path of tradition and sustainability. We started crafting beautiful Church candles – elegant in their simplicity – and quickly moved on to fragranced; Tranquillity was our very first fragrance we created, and it remains one of our most loved to this day.
Our roots are deeply intertwined with the natural world that surrounds us. The rugged coasts and gentle countryside of Cornwall have always been the centre of our inspiration. It is this profound connection to nature that
fuels our commitment to minimising our environmental footprint, and create fragrances that truly reflect the natural world.
Our success is inseparable from the wellbeing of the area that has embraced us, which is why we are devoted to uplifting and supporting the community that has made our journey possible and preserving the nature which surrounds us here in Cornwall.
Our team has always been at the heart and soul of St. Eval and treating our staff with kindness, respect, and compassion is something we pride ourselves on. Their wellbeing is paramount, for they are the true architects of the magic that illuminates your homes and lives.
We are incredibly proud to be a certified B Corporation, standing alongside like-minded businesses that prioritise purpose over profit. This certification reflects our commitment to balancing the needs of people, the planet, and profit – a commitment that has guided us from the beginning and will continue to do so as we light the way forward.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us on our journey so far, without you we wouldn’t be where we are today. May our candles continue to illuminate your homes with warmth, and our values continue to light the path toward a more harmonious world.
We are incredibly grateful for the support and contributions from our team, suppliers, charity partners, customers, and community. Their passion, interest, and assistance have played a vital role in our remarkable achievements thus far.
As we move forward on our Impact journey, we look forward to sharing exciting updates on our progress with all of you. Together, we will create positive change and leaving a lasting impact.
@STEVALCANDLES @STEVALCANDLECOMPANYBecoming a B Corp business was a significant highlight for the St. Eval team last year.
