Green Salon Collective Celebrates World Environment Day with 5 Ways Salons Can Be More Environmentally Conscious
In honour of World Environment Day on 5th June, Green Salon Collective (GSC) is encouraging salons across the UK and Ireland to rethink their environmental impact with five practical ways to be more eco-conscious! We all love the hairdressing industry, but it can be one of the most wasteful – thousands of stylists across the UK are already taking steps to reduce their environmental impact.
At Green Salon Collective, we believe every salon can be a force for good. From reducing chemical waste to recycling human hair in creative and purposeful ways, here are five actionable changes salons can implement right now to support people and the planet.
1. Recycle Hair – In More Than 10 Ways
Most salons sweep hair into the bin – but at GSC, we’ve created over 10 innovative ways to give hair a second life. From cleaning up oil spills and creating hair booms, to gardening compost, insulation, and even arts and education projects, hair is an incredibly versatile material. By recycling hair with GSC, salons can keep valuable material out of landfill, put it to powerful use and even profit from recycling their hair, foil and colour tubes..
2. Choose Brands with Purpose
Sustainability starts at the backbar. Re-evaluate the product brands you stock: do they align with your values? Look for brands with strong environmental credentials – such as cruelty-free formulations, recyclable or reusable packaging, refill options and B Corp certification. Support companies that are transparent about their supply chains and ethical sourcing.
3. Cut Back on Water Waste
Water is precious. Encourage stylists and clients to be mindful about usage. Simple changes – like installing ECOHEADS taps and avoiding unnecessary double shampoos – can significantly reduce water consumption. These small shifts can lead to big savings for both the environment and your water bill.
4. Don’t Pour Chemicals Down the Drain
Harsh chemicals don’t belong in our waterways. Proper disposal is important, keeping nasty chemicals out of the water system and protecting aquatic life. We recommend a General Waste to energy service – so nothing ends up down the drain or in landfills!
5. Offer Refill to Reduce Waste & Increase Client Loyalty
Reducing waste starts before the bin. Refill schemes for retail products are a brilliant way to cut down on single-use packaging and give clients a greener option. Encourage a circular mindset by inviting customers to bring back and refill their favourite products – plus, it encourages client loyalty and gets them coming back into the salon.
