Sustainability has become a hot topic in recent years, and for good reason. With clients and salon owners alike becoming more conscious of ingredient lists and waste, people everywhere are doing their part to join the movement.
Let’s take a look at how you can make your contribution, whether you’ve been in the industry for years or are just getting started in your own salon space.
What Is Sustainability?
Sustainability means meeting today’s needs without harming future generations. It’s all about using resources wisely, reducing waste, and making eco-friendly choices.
For beauty salons, this can include cutting energy and water use, choosing products with natural ingredients, recycling materials, and more. By embracing sustainability, you can deliver great services while helping create a healthier, happier environment.
How Is the Salon Industry Doing with Sustainability?
When it comes to beauty products, it’s no secret that there’s some room for improvement in sustainability. For example, a recent sustainability report showed that 40% of manufacturers use recycled materials in some of their packaging, but only 5% use them in the majority of their packages. Similarly, 81% of brands still use some microplastics in at least some of their products.
As a salon professional, you can help change these numbers by supporting the brands that use recycled materials, responsibly sourced natural ingredients, ethical sourcing, and so on. By doing your part to make eco-friendly choices in your business and everyday processes, you can help the salon industry move towards sustainability across the board.
How Can I Make My Salon More Sustainable?
Making the salon industry more sustainable starts with each person choosing to make changes in their own business. This can be anything from natural ingredients to recycling programs. Here are a few ideas to help you get started on your sustainability journey:
Choose Sustainable Products
Take the time to research the products you use for different services and treatments. Look for cruelty-free, organic, and otherwise responsibly sourced shampoos, dyes, creams, etc., that use natural ingredients and don’t include harmful chemicals like ammonia and formaldehyde.
These products are more eco-friendly, but they’re also so much better for your client’s health, allowing you to provide higher-quality services. You can also take the opportunity to teach customers about finding sustainable products and how they can make their beauty routines better for the environment.
Save Water and Energy
Make a plan for conserving water and energy. You can include some of the following tips or research a few of your own:
- Install low-flow faucets where they won’t disrupt treatments or services.
- Turn off faucets unless you’re actively using them.
- Invest in a water-recycling system.
- Purchase an energy-saving washer and dryer set for washing towels.
- Most salon appliances don’t have Energy Star versions yet but use energy-efficient light bulbs and other appliances where possible.
Recycle
Have you ever taken a closer look at the little recycling symbol on the label of your products? The number inside (1–7) indicates what kind of plastic it is, which determines whether or not it can be easily recycled. Plastics #1 and #2 are almost always recyclable at most facilities in most areas, while plastics #3–7 are not always accepted.
When possible, try to choose plastics that are recyclable in your area. Better yet, buy glass or refillable bottles so there’s little to no waste at all. And of course, place recycling bins next to trash cans so customers and employees can make their contributions to your salon’s sustainability.
Go Paperless
One of the simplest and most convenient ways to improve your sustainability is going paperless. Switch to digital appointment scheduling, use email receipts, encourage clients to fill out forms electronically, and keep records in a secure digital database.
Involve the Whole Team
Sustainability campaigns are more successful (and more fun!) with everyone on board. Let your team know about your efforts to be more sustainable, train them on new practices you want to implement, and ask them for ideas on reducing waste or incorporating natural ingredients in your normal products and routines.
Design Your Sustainable Salon at Indie
At Indie Studio Suites, creating an eco-friendly, sustainability-conscious salon isn’t just theoretical items on a checklist: you use the products you want, lead your team your way, and pick your hours, pricing, and clientele. And we’ll set you up with the space to do it.Take a look at our stylish, fully-furnished suites, or schedule a tour to learn more.
