Green is the new black

As more and more business owners are recognising the importance in making their salon eco-friendly, some of the industry’s experts reveal the steps you can take to be more environmentally aware.

You may be asking yourself, “Okay, when should I shift to an eco-friendly version of my salon?” The short answer to that is – now. Making the transition towards a green lifestyle can sometimes be costly, but for salons, sustainable practices save you money. 

Switching off the lights and unplugging any unused appliances will benefit you in the long run when it comes to electricity bills, and it’s going to save the planet.

For people who care about the environment, your salon will gain a new reputation. Being an eco-friendly salon means that you can have new marketing opportunities, and customers will turn to you. If your competitors haven’t ‘greened up’ their salons, then this is a great chance to stand out. Here’s how you can do it:

Salon Aquaflow provide a range of hot water systems to salons which are fully compliant with all the new UK/EEC regulations, significantly reducing bills and impact to the environment. Hot water is the pumping heart of any salon, just like humans; they need it to keep going. Using a system such as Aquaflow to supply hot water needs could override dated, inefficient systems, which cost a lot to run.

As an industry expert, Aquaflow recommend eco-friendly spray heads, these use up to 5 times less water than conventional hand sprays, saving you up to 35% on water bills. Hot water systems provide salons with unlimited cheap hot water with no temperature or pressure fluctuations – which a lot of salons currently suffer with. Installing a proper, salon-designed water system will ensure years of trouble-free running.

The recent huge growth in veganism is now part of a much wider public commitment to green issues and environmental sustainability said NHF/NBF chief executive Hilary Hall. 

“Salons ignore this at their peril – not only do they need to be aware of legislation around these issues, but there is also a massive business opportunity arising from this growing environmental movement. For example, last year Pinterest reported a 50% increase in the number of searches for ‘vegan beauty’ and the Vegan Society reports that 56% of Brits buy vegan products and check if their toiletries are cruelty-free. 

“Becoming an ‘eco’ or ‘free from’ salon and being seen to do your bit for the environment will both reassure your existing clients and attract new ones who are looking for a ‘greener’ salon experience.” 

There are a number of steps you can take to try and make a difference within the environment says Hilary: “Make your product range vegan or organic. However, remember that you must still carry out allergy alert tests with these products. Some clients may have an allergic reaction to them and so you may still have to use traditional chemical-based products sometimes.

“You can also choose products that come in biodegradable or recyclable packaging and use biodegradable bags instead of plastic when selling retail products.”

Hilary also said that you can consider switching to a green energy supplier: “Hair salons are one of the biggest energy users of all small businesses. As well as switching energy supplier, you can also try energy-efficient lighting, switching off equipment when it’s not in use, and turning down the heating in your salon – even if it’s by just 1°C you’ll be using less energy and could save 10% on your annual heating bill.”

Take it one step at a time – Hilary said: “Don’t feel as if you have to go completely green or completely vegan overnight. It’s not a ‘quick fix’. Get ideas and opinions from your staff and clients before taking any action. This will not only show that their views are important to you but will also help you create a priority list.

“Also, try some ‘quick wins’ – for example, changing to organic and vegan refreshments or switching to biodegradable disposable towels, which can save thousands of litres of water annually – plus the cost of tumble-drying.”

Finally, Hilar told us that you should make sure your clients and potential clients know about the steps you are taking to become greener: “Display the information at strategic points in your salon and create a buzz on social media. Going green could be great news for your bottom line as well as the environment”

The Authentic Beauty Concept was inspired by hairdressers, artisans and people who share the same values. They wanted to find a range of hair products that fit with their beliefs and feel true to them, which led to the introduction of the all-natural, thoughtful hair product range.

Authentic Beauty Concept ambassador Joseph Ferraro explained that it was the story behind the concept which drew him towards it – as the movement is very in-line with consumer wishes.  

“For people that really mind about free-from and vegan products, they’ll go out of their way to research and locate the best possible products. Proactively promoting your business as a stockist of eco-friendly ranges can only increase the footfall into the salon” said Joseph.

As an industry expert, Joseph revealed the importance of ‘doing your research’ when making the transition to become an eco-friendly business.

“Start by writing out your key brand descriptors. As a salon owner, you don’t necessarily need a manifesto, but you do need a clear brand description that you can get your whole salon team on board with.

“To achieve a cohesive brand, details are key. From ethically sourced products, on-brand fragrances, mindful playlists, minimal packaging and no filter images. For a salon, there’s even more to consider.  With your brand description in mind you need to look at elements like: Social media and website – look, feel, language, in-salon experience and team and attitude.”

It’s a fact that clients are becoming increasingly concerned with ingredients. It started with diet, (who isn’t vegan these days!) moved on to skin care and now it’s very firmly a conversation around hair colour and products, which is why this should get you thinking about the future of your business.

FHT President Christopher Byrne told us that a recent survey showed that more than half of FHT members (52%) already use sustainable and environmentally friendly products in their therapy practice, which we think is really encouraging. 

Christopher said: “As well as being good for the environment – which is what’s most important – going green is also good for business. The public is starting to turn its back on plastic and single-use products and embracing the principles of sustainability and zero-waste living like never before. Vegan and organic beauty product sales are also at an all-time high. It’s only natural that these customers want to align themselves with services and companies that reflect their personal values. As you start to introduce sustainable and ethical practices to your business, be sure to highlight this in your salon, on your website, and in your marketing materials. Your customers, including prospective customers, will want to know what you’re doing to help make a difference.”

Similarly to what Hilary said, Christopher explained that as a business owner you don’t have to tackle everything in one go: “Remember, you don’t have to tackle everything in one go. It’s all about taking small steps and continually reviewing your practices to identify where you can make improvements.”

FHT try to apply the ‘Reduce – Reuse – Recycle’ principle. In terms of reducing, are there things that you currently use that you don’t have to? Could you reduce the number of single-use items you use, or reduce the heating by one degree? When it comes to reusing, rather than bin your old thread-pulled towels, can you turn them into rags for washing the floor or donate them to a local animal charity? If you can’t reduce or reuse something, then this is where the third and last ‘R’ comes into play – look to recycle as much as possible. 

Christopher’s list of things to consider when thinking of making your salon more environmentally friendly are: “Choosing products/brands that have a strong green philosophy, introducing plants to the salon that help to improve air quality, and swapping glossy magazines in your reception for health-related books or mindful colouring pads. You could also encourage your clients to join in – maybe giving them a discount off a treatment or purchase if they return empty product bottles to you for recycling.”

This isn’t about just ‘being seen’ to be green – it’s about being genuinely green. Every industry and every business has a role to play when it comes saving our planet. Even the smallest of changes can help to make a difference. So, what’s the first (or next) step you’re going to take today, as a green business owner?