4 mins
DOES IT PAY TO BE SUSTAINABLE?
From eco-friendly top tips to greenwashing, we look at how you can make an impact in favour of sustainability
Rising environmental concerns in recent years have pushed many industries to act on their sustainability efforts and make changes within their business. An increasing number of hair salons and barbershops, have started to think more about what they can do to become sustainable and eco-friendly. An eco-conscious outlook not only gives the environment a helping hand, but will also get you noticed by potential clients who share the same values.
5 SIMPLE STEPS TO SUSTAINABILITY
• 1 “By working with a company called Eco Offset, they looked at our annual carbon footprint and suggested how we can reduce it. They also helped us decide what products to invest in around the world to offset our carbon output.”
Joe Steven, Co-Founder of OS Lifestyle
• 2 “Addressing the product range first and foremost is likely the quickest way to alter your sustainability journey for the better. Our barbers use our vegan, cruelty-free and ocean friendly products on every haircut. Along with this, our products are proudly contained within a 100% recycled PCR bottle.”
Elliott Pritchard, Murdock London
• 3 “Share your journey with your clients and be as open as possible. It’s a great chance to talk about the things you’re doing to be more eco-friendly. It’s also key to getting started – you’re never going to be 100% perfect but even just taking a few steps in the right direction can really make a big difference.”
Jess Rigg of Green Salon Collective
• 4 “L’ANZA’s T.R.U.E Clean Shampoo uses over 70% less water than a standard liquid shampoo, is vegan and cruelty-free, and is packaged in ocean-bound plastic packaging. Simple swaps like this can really help reduce your carbon footprint, and you can market products to your customers too.”
Aimee Pardey at L’ANZA
• 5 “Adopting energy-saving practices is a super easy first step and makes a huge difference to the planet, your guests, and your finances.”
Zyon Mena, Head Barber at Cutters Yard, Aveda Men
GREENWASH GUARDS UP!
Any barber, barbershop, and business can claim to be a sustainable and eco-friendly company, but without credible evidence, these exaggerated claims can be seen as greenwashing. “The more vague and unspecific, the more likely it is greenwashing,” says Zyon. But how do you identify this? “Look for specifics,” says Jess. “For example, look for measured impacts and statistics rather than just buzzwords like ‘natural’ and ‘eco’. Never be afraid to ask questions or to see proof of certifications – any brand worth their salt will be able to answer all your queries relating to sustainability.” Similarly, Aimee recommends researching the company’s goals and ethos when it comes to sustainability. “In relation to brands and their sustainable values, it’s a good idea to research how long companies have been making their sustainability claims for, as over recent years, many have just jumped on the bandwagon,” she says. “Most brands will have evidence or certifications to back up their claims and as a business, are transparent and honest across the board.”
MAKE THE CHANGE
Green Salon Collective share simple changes you can make in your barbershop to become more sustainable:
• Switch to LEDs to reduce energy costs
• Turn off lights when not in use
• Change to a renewable energy provider
• Reduce waste – recycle hair to stop it from going to landfill
• Go paperless – offer digital entertainment materials, email receipts, and reuse cardboard packaging
• Change to plastic-free or compostable towels, or ensure you’re washing towels in the most sustainable way and filtering out microplastics
• Ensure appliances are repaired and recycled
• Use warm water instead of hot to reduce energy
• Avoid single use plastics where possible, and refill and reuse before recycling
MONEY MADE GREEN
Becoming more eco-friendly may not only entice your clients in for extra visits but can also save you money
“An eco-salon towel will help you reduce water and electricity usage but also save you time. It works the same with LED or automatic lighting – it will cut electricity bills straight away.”
“Reducing your energy usage, water consumption and waste are all ways that you can reduce your bills and therefore your salon costs. You’re also able to take advantage of the marketing opportunity. Being eco-friendly can attract new clients and retain current ones.”
“Becoming more sustainable has saved us money and made our business more streamlined and efficient. Initially there is a cost to making your company sustainable but you’ll be saving money in the long run as well as making a positive change.”
“SOME OF THE CHANGES WE’VE MADE IN OUR BARBERSHOPS HAS MEANT NONE OF OUR WASTE GOES TO LANDFILL. WE RECYCLE OUR OWN HAIR, WE’VE SWITCHED TO A CLEAN ENERGY PROVIDER, USE ENERGY SAVING LIGHTBULBS, AND WE’VE REDUCED OUR USE OF PLASTICS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.”