THE PLANET POSITIVE

Sustainable solutions for a greener future for the hair and beauty industry

The professional hair and beauty industry brings joy and boosts confidence for millions, but this comes at a significant environmental cost. With over 120 billion units of packaging produced globally, the sector contributes to one third of all landfill waste. Alarmingly, 70% of plastic waste and 99% of aluminium foils used in salons go unrecycled.

To start driving change, the British Beauty Council's Sustainable Beauty Coalition – a group of sustainability leaders from across the beauty industry – is launching the Planet Positive Beauty Guide for professional services. The guide offers practical, cost-effective solutions for salons to reduce their environmental impact.

“Each year, tonnes of waste materials from the hair and beauty sector enter UK waterways and overwhelm landfills,” explains Mark Moloney, Managing Director of The Professional Beauty Group, underscoring the importance of this initiative. “While the task may seem daunting, small changes in daily habits can significantly impact our efforts to clean up the beauty industry. Now is the time for everyone in professional services to unite for the planet and reduce the waste generated by everyday beauty businesses."

The Sustainable Beauty Coalition was founded in 2020, after the British Beauty Council’s Courage to Change report uncovered the true environmental impact of beauty. It launched the first consumer-facing Planet Positive Beauty Guide at Cop26 back in 2021, and is now working to build on the resource for brands and businesses.

“The Planet Positive Beauty Guide outlines the key areas of waste concern in the hair and beauty industry – it presents the problem and offers straightforward solutions,” adds Oriele Frank, Sustainable Beauty Coalition Co-Chair and Elemis Co-Founder. “It covers everything from packaging to energy use."

By following the guide and adopting more planet-friendly practices, businesses can contribute to a more sustainable future and improve their bottom line.

Transforming the Industry: Where to start

The beauty industry faces significant environmental challenges, from excessive water usage to plastic waste. Addressing these issues is essential for creating a sustainable future. Below are key areas of concern and actionable solutions to help make the industry greener. For the full guide, visit the British Beauty Council website.

Utilities: Reducing energy and water consumption

Utility consumption, particularly in energy and water, presents major challenges for the beauty industry, especially professional services. High energy use results in large carbon footprints and high costs, while water consumption contributes to scarcity and pollution.

Salons can reduce energy use by installing efficient appliances, low-flow faucets, and switching to renewable energy providers. Replacing gas boilers with solar water heating systems and installing low-flow fixtures can further reduce environmental impact. Educating staff and clients on efficient practices can also conserve resources.

By focusing on these critical areas, the beauty industry can make substantial progress towards sustainability, reducing its environmental footprint while maintaining high standards of service and quality.

Professional Salon Recycling Programmes

Professional salon recycling programmes are essential for minimising environmental impact and promoting sustainability in beauty businesses. They offer tailored solutions for managing salon waste, ensuring proper handling and recycling of plastics, metals and organic materials. Notable programmes include Terracycle's SalonCycle solution and the Net Zero Salon Initiative, which provides tools to measure and reduce a salon's carbon footprint, including waste reduction impacts. Other key players like Businesswaste.co.uk, Full Circle Salon Recycling, Green Salon Collective, Handle Recycling, MYgroup, and Planet Friendly Paint offer comprehensive services to help salons achieve their sustainability goals.

Rethinking Plastics: Reducing reliance on single-use packaging

The beauty industry's reliance on plastic packaging is a major environmental concern, contributing to the 120 billion units of waste produced annually. Items like bottles, jars, and pipettes often end up in landfills, with only 14% of cosmetic packaging being recycled. To combat this, the industry must shift to sustainable materials such as glass, paper, or recycled plastics. Implementing refillable systems and developing biodegradable alternatives are crucial. Encouraging consumers to choose products with minimal packaging or larger sizes further reduces waste. Embracing these solutions can significantly diminish the industry's plastic footprint.

Metal and Glass: Improving recycling efforts

The beauty industry faces challenges when it comes to recycling metal and glass, particularly aluminium foils and containers. In the UK, only 1% of aluminium foil is recycled due to chemical contamination, and many aluminium containers have plastic linings that hinder recyclability.

Glass bottles, though largely recyclable, also still contribute significantly to waste as manufacturers still tend to choose aesthetics over practicality. Things like opal glass are trickier to process. Solutions to this include using specialised recycling services like Recycle My Salon and Green Salon Collective, and designing aluminium containers with easily separable components. Promoting refillable glass containers and take-back programmes can also help reduce waste.

Product Waste -Moving towards reusable and biodegradable solutions

Product waste, including expired towels and wipes, is a significant issue, with cosmetic waste in Europe alone valued at over €180 million (£152m). This contributes to pollution and resource depletion. But, what are the best ways to cut down on waste? You can easily switch to reusable alternatives for items such as towels, and keep an eye on your inventory management. Educating consumers on proper use and disposal is crucial for minimising waste too.

Wood, Paper and Cardboard

Substantial waste from wood, paper and cardboard, primarily through packaging and shipping materials, often ends up in landfills due to improper disposal or contamination. The beauty industry can address this by redesigning products to use less material, eliminating unnecessary inserts, and transitioning to recycled or sustainably sourced paper. Digital marketing can replace printed materials, and right-sized, compostable packaging can be used for shipping. Implementing take-back programmes and educating consumers on recycling can further reduce waste.

Professional Educational Resources

Affordable online courses help beauty professionals develop sustainability knowledge. The 'Hairstylists for the Future' programme, for example, includes a free e-learning module to upskill hair pros on waste management. The Skills Network offers a two-hour course for £30 focused on contributing to a sustainable beauty industry. Anne Veck's free toolkit also guides salons and freelancers on reducing their carbon footprint and choosing ethical products.

Dr. Denise Baden, founder of the Eco Hair and Beauty Project, emphasises the unique position hairdressers have in combating climate change by highlighting practical sustainable lifestyle choices during client interactions. By embracing these educational resources, beauty professionals can enhance their sustainability practices and lead the industry towards a greener future.

The Sustainable Beauty Coalition (SBC) plays a pivotal role in driving these initiatives, working to unite the industry towards a common goal of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

To further explore these initiatives, check out the interactive Planet Positive Beauty Guide on the British Beauty Council’s website: www.britishbeautycouncil.com/ppbg