Switch to sustainable in your salon not only during earth day but everyday!

In the United States there are about 250,000 salons that create 421,000 pounds of waste daily. What contributes to this waste? Hair color tubes, excess color going down the drain, foils, cotton, saran-wrap and more.

Want to reduce your Eco-Footprint? Here are more tips for a sustainable salon

1. Recycle

Organize your recycle bins for different materials in your salon (aluminum, plastic, paper/cardboard, and glass)
Your used foils and empty color tubes are recyclable as well as the boxes they all come in and you don’t even need to clean them first since the color will melt away during the recycling process
Recycling your old products will take part in making new materials

2. Switch off the appliances

Your heated tools do not need to be on during all of your services. If you are ready to style a client turning it on as soon as you are ready to use it is perfect to saving electricity!

3. Reduce your water usage

If you let your water flow one minute less per day you can save about 2,400 liters of water a year (per stylist!) Be mindful of how long you are washing and rinsing your clients hair.
Switch to cold water when possible especially in your washing machine (did you know every wash cycle consumes 32 to 59 gallons of water

4. Control your climate

Most of the world’s energy is spent on heating whether it is warming up your salon or heating your water. Your hot styling tools should be the only thing hot in the salon. Lowering your thermostat by 10 degrees can save as much as 10% a year on heating bills. Ceiling fans can help take some work off of your thermostat too.

5. Add some ‘green’ touches

Offer your clients beverages in reusable glass or recyclable cups.
Potted plants bring in oxygen while balancing out carbon dioxide emissions
Replace old towels with microfiber towls which are more absorbant and less time in the dryer
Try switching to environmentally friendly products whether it be cleaning products or hair products!

Brands to incorporate in your salon to reduce your eco footprint

Wella

1. Eco-Friendly Product Packaging

Recyclable aluminum hair color tubes (100% recycled aluminum) comsumes 66% less energy than making it from scratch
All cardboard boxes can be recycled

2. Sustainable hair care and color

You want color that is kind to your clients hair and the planet
Wella’s natural EOS Hair Color is made with a minimum of 89% plant-based dyes that gently color locks. The dye is packaged with 100% recyclable aluminum can and zero plastics

3. Mindful Manufacturing

Wella’s European manufacturing facility in Germany – where most colors are made – uses 100% renewable electricity and 100% carbon-neutral gas consumption. Also producing zero waste for landfill

4. Easy-to-rinse color formulas

If a formula washes out quickly it allows you to use less water in the salon. Did you know that one minute of water flow sends more than 1- liters of water down the drain. Illumina Color and Koleston Perfect are a creamy consistency that’s quick to remove from the hair.

Kevin Murphy

“I have always been passionate about environmental issues, but it wasn’t until I created my first line of products that I really became aware of just how much harm the production processes of any product can have upon the environment.” – Kevin Murphy

Kevin Murphy Partnered with ECOHEADS to create a more water-friendly and cost saving environment for the future growth of the salon. The average salon basin uses over 150 gallons of water per day.

100% recyclable, environmentally friendly design doubles water pressure
Uses up to 65% less water than regular showerheads
Tourmaline stones help remove sediment, dirt and chlorine from the water for a softer, cleaner, fresher wash for color to be rinsed out up to 3x faster

Green.Salon

A virtial salon that shows individual steps that they can take to reduce their carbon footprint and lessen their overall impact on the environment while saving money. Try it here!

5 Ways to be Sustainable in the Salon