National Bee Supplies are runners up in the hotly contested Devon Environmental Business Initiative Awards, fighting off some heavyweight environmental business players such as Paignton Zoo which has pioneered much environmental best practice in the region.

National Bee Supplies was described by the judges as an “absolute revelation” for implementing an array of environmental actions across the company’s operation.  From simple steps such as collecting and reusing packaging from local retail businesses, to careful and deliberate selection of timber for hive manufacture. 

Bill Stevens is the owner of National Bee Supplies and since buying the company five years ago, has quietly worked at improving environmental efficiency. 

“One of the first things we did was to invest in a large timber drying and storage building.  This allows us to buy in sizes that maximise operational efficiency and minimise wastage.” 

National Bee Supplies has always made its hives from Red Cedar, a quality wood that is ideally suited to the manufacture of beehives destined for the Great British Outdoors.  “One of the most important steps was to purchase Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) accredited timber.  This ensures that FSC timber is guaranteed to come from legal sites that operate sustainable replanting schemes.  Only now is Western Red Cedar available with the same credentials.” 

Wood Waste has been reduced from around 40% to 0% by simple actions such as supplying local farmers with sawdust, bagging up all off-cuts to be sold from the factory for kindling wood.  

“Its not rocket science, just sensible, practical steps which are driven by a dislike of waste of any kind, and a love of the natural world – values I know we share with many of our customers.” Says Bill Stevens. 

If you’d like to find out more about how our environmental and recycling policies ensure that our beehives are a sound, ethical choice, then please call us and speak to Bill Stevens. 

Telephone: 01837 54084

National Bee Supplies