Eco-Friendly Practices for Your Salon

How many stylists does it take to change a light bulb? Switching what light bulbs your salon has is one of the fastest ways to make a difference and also one of the longest-lasting changes. The light bulbs currently in place are more than likely incandescent or fluorescent. An eco-friendly alternative to these are LED lights, which require less power, convert more energy into light, don’t contain mercury, and have a longer life span. With all of this in mind, you can feel better knowing that this switch would not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but save you from replacing them so frequently.

With the amount of water that a salon can use on a daily basis, it isn’t surprising that our industry isn’t super great for the environment. However, simply becoming conscious of how much water you and your stylists use can have a large impact on the environment. One obvious way to conserve water is by turning the facet off in between tasks. If you’re rubbing a treatment into your client’s hair before washing it, turn off the faucet until you’re ready to continue rinsing. Another way to help conserve water is by switching out your current showerheads to more eco-friendly, low-flow heads.

While not as obvious as running a facet or shower head, doing laundry in a salon is another way your routine can negatively impact the environment. Towels need to be washed, and if your salon is doing multiple loads a day, that is a lot of water wasted. Instead of running a load of towels every time one needs washing, wait until the basket is absolutely full and it is necessary. While you’re at it, you can also consider investing in towels that are made from eco-friendly materials.

As more individuals and businesses strive to become environmentally friendly, there has been an increase in biodegradable cleaning products that most of the time also come in recyclable containers. If your products are not already eco-friendly, do some research on what products don’t have as many, if any harsh chemicals. Not only will this contribute to a safer space that is non-toxic, but your salon is less likely to smell like cleaning chemicals, as most eco-friendly products leave a more natural smell.

Also on the topic of cleaning is what your staff and clients use at the sinks, both on the salon floor and in the bathrooms. While towels can be used for some kinds of drying, paper towels are necessary after simply washing your hands because they’re easily disposable and don’t need to be washed. If you are going to have paper products in your salon, opt for a motion censored paper towel dispenser. This way, neither staff nor clients are using more than what they need and paper is conserved for longer.

When was the last time you made a plumbing appointment for your salon? Are you even aware of whether you have any leaks? In an industry where water usage is high, having your fixtures inspected regularly is not only a great way to ensure you don’t have leaky pipes that are contributing to waste, but it is also a smart financial move.

The majority of the time, plastic products seem to be the most convenient. They’re cheap to buy in bulk and easy to dispose of when finished with them. However, plastic definitely isn’t eco-friendly. Two of the main easy switches you can make in your salon are glass bowls/bottles for styling mixtures and recyclable paper bags over plastic ones for retail purchases. Aluminum foil is another product that is used daily in the salon but is often not recycled. Consider creating a dedicated and labeled space specifically for aluminum foil. This way, you won’t have to worry about a general recycling bin getting cluttered with items that don’t belong and there is one particular space for a product that quickly adds up.

Eco-friendly initiatives not only benefit the environment but can also benefit your salon in the long run. Many eco-friendly practices save money, whether it be not having to replace light bulbs as frequently or a lower water bill. In addition to that, make your efforts to be more eco-friendly known to the public. You are likely to reach and gain a clientele that supports what you’re doing.