THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO

Salon SustainabilityWith tips from Paul Frasca

Hello!Eco-friendliness and sustainability have been buzzwords in the salon industry for more than a decade, but being green is now more than just a trend, it’s a responsibility.

Climate change and the projections for our environment are a growing concern, and as large contributors to waste, salon owners are ever mindful of their responsibilities towards a cleaner, more sustainable business practices.

“With the chemicals and waste that salons and businesses can potentially create, I think it’s up to us to really lead by example...” - Rachael Kennedy, Gronn

With the help of Sustainable Salons Australia’s Paul Frasca, Timely has compiled this complete guide to help you set your salon on the path to sustainability.

Over 1.5 million kg of foil and colour tube waste was dumped into Australian landfills last year, despite aluminium having the ability to maintain its quality and properties after being recycled time and time again.

There’s no good reason not to.

Recycling aluminium saves energy. Re-melting used aluminium saves up to 95% of the energy needed to produce the primary product.

In other words, the recycling process emits only 5% of the greenhouse gas emitted in primary aluminium production. Aluminium foil is just one small example of the materials that salons can reuse more wisely.

Why do salons need to go green?

While there’s not yet an industry-wide push to transform salon operations, eco-salons are becoming increasingly popular across the globe.

These businesses, along with organisations like Sustainable Salons Australia, are taking matters into their own hands, and leading the way towards a completely sustainable hair industry.

Sustainable Salons is a comprehensive resource recovery service designed for the salon environment that rewards salons and gives back to the community.

Visit www.sustainablesalons.com.au for more info.

ECO-PAUL TIP

What’s it all about?

Sustainability is about three things:

People, Planet and Profit.

This means making greener choices, investing in the viability of your salon business (so that it’s here for a long time, not just a good time), giving back to the local community and inspiring the next generation of industry artisans… all become factors that contribute to a sustainable and healthy industry, community and planet!

Paul FrascaSUSTAINABLE SALONS AUSTRALIA

Money, money, moneyOne of the biggest misconceptions is that going green will cost you the earth. In fact, these practices are likely to save you money.

Many eco-friendly steps simply involve being mindful: turning off a light or using appliances less often. These habits are free and will also save you money in the long run.

In the past, eco-friendly products have been more expensive but with the demand for more environmentally friendly products growing, prices are becoming more competitive.

If the price is still an issue for your business, eco-friendly products are easily made with basic, everyday, ingredients. Think baking soda, vinegar, lemon — these products have been used for generations and should not be overlooked!

ECO-PAUL TIP

Help yourself, and the environment.

More than two thirds of consumers now demand evidence that the products they consume have implemented some kind of eco-friendly initiative – this might be something as simple as recyclable packaging, right up to ethically-produced or sustainably-sourced ingredients.

Adopting these products in your business, and then marketing their green benefits to clients, is a great way to increase sales!

Paul FrascaSUSTAINABLE SALONS AUSTRALIA

ReputationGoing green is a great marketing opportunity. You’ve now expanded your customer base exponentially: pregnant people, people who favour sustainability in their purchasing decisions, and people who might be sensitive to harsh synthetic chemicals.

Going green is now a global initiative, so if your business can cater to those wanting to reduce their footprint, then you’re in the money.

Offering sustainable options means that clients can do their part & further reduce their own carbon footprint!

ECO-PAUL TIP

Sustainable practices are marketing gold.

Millennials are so invested in making a difference! Marketing your sustainability practices, both environmental and community, is a fantastic way to capture this group for new clients and great staff.

Often they’ll seek out your business’s sustainability policy before deciding who to support, and then they make the best influencers for your business.

Paul FrascaSUSTAINABLE SALONS AUSTRALIA

There’s no planet B We understand that it can all feel a bit overwhelming – new product lines! carbon neutral furniture! natural light only! – but don’t let it turn you off, or put it into the ‘too hard’ bucket. Being sustainable is more achievable than ever.

The benefits of making greener choices and thinking locally far outweigh the effort you put in. Not only will you be contributing to a healthier environment, you’ll be directly contributing to your community, saving money and welcoming new clients. Not a bad result from a few easy new habits, right?

Remember too that you’re not alone. There are initiatives out there that provide tips and tricks for salon owners to take charge of their waste to minimise their carbon footprint.

Being sustainable is no longer a choice, it’s a responsibility.

“Contributing to a better future doesn’t

always have to be about sweeping changes.”

Most of us prioritise caring for our bodies, but do you feel the same way about the environment and your community?

As the world begins to acknowledge widespread еnvirоnmеntal and humanitarian concerns, it has become оur ѕосiаl rеѕроnѕibilitу to make sure the way we do business is sustainable.

Hair and beauty salons especially have come under fire due to the amount of toxins and waste they use in their treatments (hair foils, plastics etc). Fortunately, there is always an eco-friendly solution.

ECO-PAUL TIP

Make your space in the community.

Often we forget that sustainability is also about creating communities that support each other… in fact, this is one of the most important goals of the movement!

Finding a local charity or fundraising event that your team can support is great for your salon culture and helps spread the sustainability message with your clients.

It might be volunteering to cut hair for those in need, putting your hand up to run a fundraising event at your salon, or even just sponsoring a client who’s participating in a charity challenge, it all contributes to a brighter future for our planet!”

Paul FrascaSUSTAINABLE SALONS AUSTRALIA

SUSTAINABLITY SPOTLIGHT

Scout HairScout Hair is a sustainable salon in inner-city

Wellington. Annabel Kinley has created a

haven amidst the bustle of the big city.

Scout Hair opened its doors down a quaint Wellington alleyway four years ago. The salon is nestled in the heart of the bustling capital but is a place people can escape for a moment of calm. Although only in business for four years, Annabel carries decades of experience in the hairdressing industry.

It’s widely known that hairdressing is a large contributor to landfills, especially in the form of plastics and scrap metal. Since opening Scout, Annabel has been on a mission to find a better solution to these exorbitant waste issues. Annabel’s goal was to create a business that cared for the environment as much as she did.

A Sustainable Home & SalonFor Annabel, the choice to become a sustainable salon was a given. She and her partner had begun to think seriously about their eco-footprint in the home, so why should it be any different at work?

Annabel isn’t naive, she understands the projections of the planet aren’t looking positive and that each and every individual needs to play their part.

At Scout, they use Fairtrade Organic products, they make their own cleaning products, use re-fills where possible and use green energy. Clients can refill products at the salon. They use recycled foil for colouring and ensure all plastics and metals are responsibly recycled.

“Sustainablility is no longer a

choice. I hate to think what it will

be like for the next generation

if we don’t change now.”

Banding TogetherAnnabel and her team have taken great steps in their mission to reduce their footprint but they’re aware that the industry, as a whole, could be doing so much more. Annabel is adamant that now is the time for the industry to band together over this issue.

“I think it’s now time that salons band together. We need to put our heads together and do it communally.”

The team at Scout have had to do their own research to find the best solutions for recycling and reducing waste, but they’re sure there must be better ways to go about it.

Being a sustainable salon has given the business an edge, especially as this pressing issue is becoming more widely understood in the community. Clients know that they will leave feeling amazing all while reducing their footprint!

“There is just so much STUFF and we throw

it away, but ultimately there is no such thing

as away. It’s scary.”

Replace your lights with eco-savers

Replacing all your lighting with energy-saving light bulbs like LEDs can be a controversial topic in hair and beauty salons. Your lights need to be bright (or dim) enough for you to do your best work. Which includes flattering enough to show off a client’s hair or skin and true enough to show colours properly. LEDs cost a bit more at the shop, but since they last about 60 times as long, you’ll save that money in the long run.

Select the right lighting

The first step is to make the most of all your natural light. Secondly, if LEDs aren’t the right move for client-centred spaces, that okay. It still leaves your waiting areas, your front desk, and any back-of-house spaces. Each energy-saver you can add will save you money in the long run.

Tips to go greenReducing your carbon footprint is about creating simple and sustainable habits that you and your staff can maintain.

Not using it? Turn it off

Aside from this, simply remind staff to turn off any lights and equipment in staff rooms, or vacant treatment rooms! Only have a light switched on when you really need it. If you’re ready to get fancy, there’s always motion-triggered lights, which will automatically shut off if the room is still for a certain amount of time. Ask staff to keep equipment turned off, especially when there are no clients booked.

Eco-friendly appliances

Where possible, purchase appliances and equipment with a good energy rating (more stars the better). With energy-smart appliances you’ll not only conserve more energy, but also more water than standard appliances.

Fewer, bigger loads

Only press ‘start’ on your machine when it’s full. This is a simple way to save water and energy and reduce CO2 emissions. This might mean investing in a few more towels as you figure out your new laundry schedule, but you’ll get back the money on your power bill.

Chemicals image courtesy of Sustainable Salons Australia

Natural detergents and chemicals

Using natural detergents with your appliances will also help alleviate environmental pollution. Think baking soda, vinegar, lemon — these products have been used for generations and should not be overlooked!

Conserve water

Work with your staff to use only what you need. Only run your taps when needed. Water efficient products like EcoHead Shower Heads are a great investment to conserve water, which saves you energy and money.

Check your taps

Check your salon for leaks. Slow drips can contribute to tonnes of wastewater per month, which is damaging to the environment, and your pocket.

Have a plumber check your taps and washers to make sure they’re up to scratch. If there’s an issue, the plumbing bill will pay for itself in no time in the money that you save further down the line.

Get smart with your heat

It’s not just water that leaks! Cracks in your building can let air flow in and out of your salon without you even noticing. The obvious places to check are your windows and doors.

Some of these leaks you’ll be able to handle yourself if you know your way around a caulking gun or feel comfortable applying foam or vinyl weatherstripping. Other checks like your ceiling, ventilation ducts, and electrical outlets will probably need to be done by a professional.

Organise your waste

Equip your salon with good recycling systems – ideally, find out whether there are companies like Sustainable Salons in your area so you can be sure that your waste is being disposed of sensibly, and in a way that can be beneficial later in its lifecycle. Otherwise, ensure that your in-salon recycling system is as efficient as possible and meets the requirements of your waste management provider.

Recyclable and reusable

Aluminium foils line the rubbish bin fast on a busy day at the salon — so make sure you’re using foils that are made of recyclable materials. From there, make sure you offer them another life by disposing of them correctly. Brands such as Refoil offer colouring foils from recycled aluminium.

“Everything we use is recycled all

except food scraps.”

- Diana Ailey, Down to Earth Eco Hair & Beauty

ECO-PAUL TIP

No more wish-cycling!

It’s important that you pay attention to your waste management provider’s policies – adding items to your recycling bin that aren’t part of their accepted items is called “wish-cycling” (you put them in the bin anyway and hope that they’ll be recycled).

Often these items will contaminate the recycling and the whole batch will need to be sent to landfill. So it’s always better to adhere to their policies or choose to implement something more comprehensive like Sustainable Salons Australia

Paul FrascaSUSTAINABLE SALONS AUSTRALIA

Be smart with plastics

Purchase products that offer refills, not only for the salon but for your customers, is a simple means to reduce your plastic waste. That way clients can bring in their own containers, be it glass or recycled plastic bottles, and fill their eco shampoos and conditioners.

Green packaging

One of the biggest movements in the beauty industry is developing better green technology for packaging. Some of these changes include using biodegradable materials, using less plastic, and even printing in soy ink. Be wise when choosing products for your salon. There are products out there that support your business in doing the right thing.

SUSTAINABLITY SPOTLIGHT

Salem Hair Co.Hairdressing is one industry that

Laurie Carter doesn’t see slowing

down anytime soon, so to make sure

that she can be in it for the long haul,

she takes a sustainable approach to

hairdressing — one where people and

the environment are at the heart of

everything they do.

Laurie was working in the same salon for 6 years and was ready for a change, but when she began to look for a new job, she realised there were no companies that she was desperate to work for. With an increased dissatisfaction for business models of other salons in her area, the only option was to go out on her own.

Salem Hair Co. opened its doors in March 2015, at a tiny 40sqm space in Lower Hutt. The business was just Laurie and two chairs. Soon after she hired her first staff member, Kate. After 18 months in their tiny salon, they moved to their new, and much bigger, current location. The team now consists of two senior stylists, their first apprentice and a nail and spray tan technician.

This freedom has enabled Laurie to create a business that suits her, her team and their clients. Even seemingly small things, like choosing what music can fill the studio every day. These nuances contribute to the unique atmosphere at Salem.

“We work as a team and I run everything by everyone before doing anything, as that’s something I would have appreciated.”

The salon is a hive of activity! It’s filled with laughter, talking and positive energy. They know how to have a good time. Happy staff results in happy customers, and that has been the crux of the success.

Social media is the new-age ‘word of mouth’, and everyone is talking about Salem Hair.

Laurie is quite confident that the hairdressing industry isn’t one that will be automated anytime soon, and because of this, it’s important that her team can be in it for the long haul!

Laurie encourages her team to take care of their bodies and work as ergonomically as possible. They use the lightest hair dryers available, have basins they can stand behind and use hydraulic chairs and stools.

The team are encouraged to do regular exercise, get massages and take time off to keep the work-life balance in check. They spend so much time making others feel good, it’s important to Laurie that her team practice self-care too.

“Unlike other industries, hairdressing is so personalised and hands-on.”

Not only is it important that beauty professionals can endure the demands of the industry, but our environment also needs to withstand the pressure that the industry places upon it.

Over 1.5 million kg of foil and colour tube waste was dumped into Australian landfills last year, despite aluminium having the ability to maintain its quality and properties after being recycled time and time again. Laurie doesn’t want to be just another statistic and she is working hard to make sure they can make a difference.

Laurie estimates that they use a whopping 13kg of aluminium recycling a month, so because of this, they want to make sure they’re using it sustainably.

“Hairdressers produce a lot of waste so we try to diminish that by recycling as much paper, plastic and aluminium as we can.”

Salem uses a brand of tinfoil called Refoil which is made using recycled aluminium and they follow the Refoil method of recycling all of their tinfoil.

Being sustainable is often as easy as creating a few new habits, such as asking the client if they’d like a receipt before printing it, or turning off lights in rooms that aren’t occupied. It’s these small steps that salons can implement that can make a huge impact on our environment.

The team at Salem care about others and the world around them, and we’re willing to bet that their success will be just as sustainable as their salon!

It can be hard to change the way we do business. We get so used to doing things a certain way. In our modern world however, there are tools available that can make our lives, and businesses, run much more smoothly.

These tools also reflect society’s shifting priorities: to reduce our environmental footprint in the workplace.

Sustainable Software: 3 Steps to get you started

1. Communicate with customers online

Emailing customers has become commonplace for businesses today, but that’s not the only way you can communicate online.

Have a quick think about any places you might still be using paper. Do you print invoices? Mail payments? Send out flyers? Print coupons? All of these things can (and should) be done online.

Examples: Mailchimp, Campaign Monitor

If you’re still advertising with print materials, it’s time to consider your online options. Digital marketing is the new standard, and there are so many options available to you. Check out our blog post on different digital marketing activities for your business.

Examples: Google AdWords, Facebook Ads

Going paperless will lower costs, increase margins, and speed up your processes. You’ll look more modern and professional, and both existing and potential customers will notice this. More importantly though, you’ll be operating a more sustainable business.

2. Implement Online Office Tools

Many businesses have taken the plunge and moved their documentation into the cloud, meaning staff members can access their files from any location.

As well as providing a permanent backup, certain cloud services allow companies to attend meetings, collaborate on projects, and even work from home.

Examples: Google Hangouts, Slack, Skype

Cloud software is secure, private and allows organisations to determine who has access to particular tools and documents. Best of all, it’s paper free. You’ll save money on printing and photocopying while doing the environment a favour at the same time!

We’d be willing to bet your business operates more effectively as well. If it’s a possibility for your business, doing some of your jobs from home will also reduce emissions and save you travel costs.

Examples: Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox

3. Offer Digital Products

If you sell physical products, make sure you offer them online as well. It’s often said that selling things on your website is like hiring a 24/7 salesperson at no cost. Make the most of it! It’s not just good business, it’s good for the environment as well. Customers won’t need to drive to your store just to pick up a new product.

Have a look at your stock and determine which physical products can be converted to digital downloads. Things like vouchers can easily be purely digital. As well as converting existing products, brainstorm new things you might be able to sell on your website.

This could be training videos, helpful ebooks, product manuals, audio recordings, and other content that your customers may find valuable. Your knowledge and expertise is marketable, so capitalise on it!

Examples: Shopify, WooCommerce

Many businesses find success in running a series of blog posts or adding videos to their online profiles. You’ll be surprised how willing your customers are to contribute the discussion, perhaps even adding their own tips in the comments areas or rating their favourite content.

Examples: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter

Like salons, more companies are taking a sustainable approach to business for many of the same reasons. It’s because of this that eco-friendly products and methods are becoming more ubiquitous. The ‘green option’ is no longer the most expensive, and when given the choice consumers will favour eco-friendly businesses.

Sustainability and eco-friendliness are now common, and widespread goals. It’s important to note that sustainable practices are not adopted by the business, but by the people who run them.

Consumers notice when a business owner has a genuine interest in operating sustainably and because of this, your customers will engage better and attract like-minded people to your business.

ECO-PAUL TIP

Spread the word!

The best thing you can do is simply get the conversation going with your clients… then find new ways to keep it going! Chat to them about the initiatives you’re implementing, create visual marketing in your salon to catch their interest and find avenues for them to actively contribute.

Then go one step further and engage your local press – it’s amazing what attention you can generate just by letting your local newspaper/radio/tv station know about what you’re doing!

Paul FrascaSUSTAINABLE SALONS AUSTRALIA

Educate and inspire yourself and others, and begin running a sustainable salon.