Is It Hard To Be Sustainable?

Three business owners discuss what it takes to run a sustainable salon

KARINE JACKSON, OWNER KARINE JACKSON GREEN WITH KARINE

1“I don’t think it’s hard to be sustainable, but I see how it can be overwhelming for people. A lot of people struggle with change. They find it difficult to change habits and if they can’t see a direct benefit, then why should they engage in it? We can’t see that direct change, but it affects how we live. If you don’t look at the big picture and instead look at the tiny steps you can take, it becomes easier. I started my journey twenty years ago. My first step was looking into: What brands are we using? Are they associated with B Corp? Do they have a sustainability agenda -do they tick your boxes?Look at the simple things. Are you recycling? I get shocked at how little recycling there is. If you’re a small business start with the basics; walk through your salon and have a think about the little changes you can make that are better for the environment, and engage your team. If you leave them out on this, then they’re never going to be part of it. When we first started out, we sat in our team meeting and discussed ideas on how to be more sustainable. If every person took a couple of little steps, then we would start making a real difference. There really is no reason to not be making these changes now. I’m disappointed we’re not further ahead. I feel that the salons are getting the blame for the problem, but I would like to hold more product houses accountable. They don’t always engage in the end of life of a product. Why are they not helping smaller salons achieve net zero? They’ve got the power to make it accessible.”

LORRAINE NAUGHTON, OB-1HAIR

2 “In today’s world, the call for sustainability resonates louder than ever and the hair industry is no exception. With the right partnerships and resources, adopting sustainable practices can be achievable and rewarding. You can start with small, manageable steps. For instance, using refillable bottles for your homecare ranges - at our salon, we offer a discount to clients who bring back their L’Oréal Professionnel Paris Serie Expert bottles, meaning they save money while helping the environment. Meanwhile, upgrading your basin heads to water saving shower heads, will reduce water usage. Remember, no step is too small; it’s the act of starting that truly matters. Beyond the environmental benefits, our commitment to sustainability has become a great talking point with clients - we have even gained new clients and attracted passionate new staff members who share our vision for a greener future. Working alongside Green Salon Collective has been a game-changer, their resources have equipped us with the tools we need to ensure that we send minimal waste to landfill. We have also implemented a small fee of two euros to cover our sustainable costs, which helps support our initiatives and educates clients on the importance of sustainability. Transitioning to a sustainable salon is not just a dream—it’s an attainable reality. With the right partnerships and resources at your fingertips, you can embark on a journey that benefits both your business and the planet.”

MELENIE TUDOR, EN ROUTE HAIR & BEAUTY

3“It’s not difficult to make a salon more sustainable, but it can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. This is why I think some people are reluctant to take the leap. My advice would be to assess your salon operations and tackle each element separately so that the changes and swaps are more manageable. My quick wins include recycling, lights, water and waste. Introducing eco-friendly shower heads, only shampooing once, and lowering your water temperature will help reduce water wastage and its negative impact on the planet. Our clients love our product refill bar which is a really simple solution to reduce plastic waste for you and your clients.I think some salons are hesitant to look at sustainability because some switches will have a cost attached to them, but we have been able to recoup any money spent by introducing a £1 eco fee on every service.This is a minimal cost to clients but funds the changes we want to make. Just make sure you communicate any pricing changes and the reasons why to clients – you’ll be surprised how many will be on-board! Some switches will even save you money. For example, we stopped using disposable gloves and use Vish to reduce colour product waste. Both changes have put money back in our pocket. An important part of any salon’s sustainability journey is the buy-in from your whole team. Include your staff in the vision and mission. Sustainability success only happens when you all work together towards a shared goal.”