Devonia is the only spring water company in the south of England with a business model centred around continuously reusing glass bottles. Over the 18 years the company has been up and running, it has saved a staggering 163 tonnes of glass from going to landfill, by collecting and reusing its water bottles from hotels, pubs, cafes, restaurants, special events and private customers across Devon.
Set in 275 acres of countryside, Bovey Castle – which is the flagship of the Eden Hotel Collection – has 60 bedrooms, 22 lodges, an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts and an Elan Spa, complete with art deco swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, treatment rooms and a dedicated Gentlemen’s Quarter.
The hotel’s Great Western restaurant, which holds 3 AA Rosettes for its culinary excellence, is overseen by talented head chef Mark Budd, who also manages the hotel’s casual dining option, Smith’s Brasserie. Devonia water is now available across the extensive site for guests to enjoy.
Lorenzo Fassio, Bovey Castle’s Deputy General Manager, said, “Bovey Castle, and the entire Eden Hotel Collection, are taking great strides forward in sustainability. We understand the importance for businesses to be more environmentally responsible. We already ensure we source local produce and recycle wherever possible. Stocking Devonia Water allows us to take our efforts another step further and introduce ‘reuse’, and we’re delighted to be able to work with Neil on this.”
Since the start of 2022, Devonia has sold 336,000 bottles of water and reused an impressive 285,000, which is a re-use rate of 90%. Washing and refilling the bottles uses just 6% of the energy required to recycle glass, reducing CO2 by 94%. And of course, it doesn’t generate any plastic pollution that would ultimately go into the world’s oceans.
Devonia’s water is bottled at source from a spring that bubbles up on the edge of a meadow near the villages of Beeson and Beesands, less than a mile from the sea. Available in both still and sparkling and in 330ml or 750ml bottles, the water has a natural soft taste that’s proven to be incredibly popular with customers.
Devonia water owner Neil Graham said, “We are delighted to be working with the stunning Bovey Castle to fulfil all their bottled water needs. It’s great to see yet another Devon business working to improve its sustainability. There’s never been a more important time to be considerate and mindful of the environment and to reduce carbon emissions wherever possible. We hope the guests love our local spring water.”
As well as being a sustainable business, Devonia supports the Dartmoor Rescue Group’s Ashburton team, of which Neil Graham has been a full member for years. By purchasing and enjoying Devonia water, customers are also supporting the incredible work of the mountain rescue team.
This year, Devonia Water is also sponsoring the South West Coast Path Association Trailblazer Walk during its 50th anniversary year. Neil Graham has a deep-rooted passion and commitment to sustainability and the environment and a love for the coast path. Plus, Devonia’s bottling plant is in very close proximity to the Beesands stretch of the path. Neil said, “The coastal path has been impacted hugely over the years by climate change and it is one of the many reasons why I choose to run my business sustainably.”
For further information about Devonia, please visit devoniawater.co.uk, follow on Instagram @DevoniaWaterCompany or ‘Like’ Devonia Water on Facebook.
(Photo credit: Steven Haywood Photography).
