How to Make Your Hair Salon More Sustainable

Whether it’s using more sustainable hair products, donating hair, or reducing water usage, there are a ton of easy ways to make your hair salon more eco friendly.

Running a more sustainable salon is not only better for the planet — it also saves you money.

Win win, right?! 🙂

That’s why, in this blog, we’re exploring the best ways you can transform your salon into a more eco-friendly, sustainable space.

10 Ways to Make Your Hair Salon More Sustainable & Eco Friendly

1. Energy Efficiency: Power Your Salon Wisely

One of the easiest ways to start your journey towards a sustainable hair salon is by focusing on energy consumption. 

Hair dryers, washing machines, lighting, and heating systems all use a considerable amount of electricity, so optimizing your energy usage is crucial.

Tips for Energy Efficiency:

• Switch to LED lighting: LED bulbs consume up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last longer.
• Use energy-efficient appliances: When upgrading equipment like hair dryers, washing machines, and air conditioners, look for models with high energy efficiency ratings. This reduces power consumption while maintaining performance.
• Embrace natural light: If your salon has windows, make the most of natural daylight to reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day.
• Turn off equipment when not in use: Encourage your staff to switch off tools and devices like hair dryers, straighteners, and lights when they aren’t needed.

2. Water Conservation: Minimize Waste

Water use is a significant part of salon operations, especially in washing stations.

Reducing water consumption will not only make your salon more sustainable but also lower your utility bills.

Tips for Water Conservation:

• Install low-flow showerheads: These can cut water usage by up to 50% without compromising performance. You’ll use less water per hair wash, conserving valuable resources.
• Fix leaks immediately: Even a small leak can waste hundreds of liters of water over time. Regularly inspect your plumbing to ensure everything is functioning efficiently.
• Recycle water: Some sustainable salons implement greywater systems that allow water from sinks to be reused for non-potable purposes, such as flushing toilets.

3. Reduce Plastic and Packaging Waste

Plastic waste is a serious environmental issue, and salons generate a significant amount of it through single-use products, packaging, and disposable items.

Reducing your plastic footprint is a critical step towards becoming a sustainable hair salon.

Tips for Reducing Plastic Waste:

• Switch to refillable products: Many sustainable salons offer clients products like shampoos, conditioners, and styling gels in refillable containers. This eliminates the need for new plastic bottles every time a product is purchased.
• Avoid single-use plastic items: Replace plastic items such as gloves, capes, and color applicators with eco-friendly, reusable alternatives made from sustainable materials like bamboo or biodegradable plastics.
• Recycle properly: Make recycling a core part of your salon’s operations. Provide clearly labeled recycling bins for paper, plastic, and glass to ensure that waste is sorted correctly. Partner with recycling programs specifically for salon products, such as those for hair foils and color tubes.

4. Eco-Friendly Products: Choose Sustainable Ingredients

Using eco-friendly hair products is a significant way to reduce your salon’s environmental impact. 

Many conventional hair products contain harmful chemicals that can pollute water systems when washed down the drain. 

Opting for sustainable products can make a big difference in your salon’s green efforts.

Tips for Choosing Sustainable Products:

• Use organic and natural hair products: Look for shampoos, conditioners, and treatments made from plant-based, non-toxic ingredients. Organic and cruelty-free certifications are good indicators of sustainability.
• Stock vegan products: Vegan products are not only cruelty-free but often contain fewer synthetic chemicals, making them better for the environment.
• Offer biodegradable hair color and dyes: Some brands, like Odylique, now offer hair color made from organic materials that break down more easily in the environment compared to traditional chemical-laden dyes.

Pro Tip: Check out our blog on sustainable and eco-friendly hair care products to help you find the best products for your salon. 

5. Sustainable Salon Furniture: Choose Eco-Friendly Materials

Even the furniture and decor in your salon can contribute to your sustainability efforts.

By selecting eco-friendly furniture options, you can create an aesthetically pleasing, sustainable salon environment.

Tips for Sustainable Furniture:

• Opt for upcycled or reclaimed furniture: Look for stations, chairs, and mirrors that have been made from recycled or reclaimed materials. This reduces the demand for new resources and gives your salon a unique, rustic charm.
• Choose eco-friendly materials: If you’re buying new furniture, prioritize items made from sustainable, renewable materials like bamboo, cork, or FSC-certified wood.
• Buy second-hand: Purchasing pre-owned furniture not only saves money but also reduces waste by giving items a second life.

6. Recycling Hair: Repurpose for Good

Hair clippings from salon floors often end up in landfills, but many sustainable salons are now finding ways to repurpose this “waste.”

Tips for Recycling Hair:

• Hair booms for oil spills: Hair is highly absorbent and can be used to create booms and mats that help soak up oil spills in oceans and rivers. Organizations like Matter of Trust collect hair donations from salons to help with environmental clean-up efforts.
• Composting: Hair can be composted, as it’s rich in nitrogen. Consider setting up a compost bin in your salon for hair clippings, which can then be used in gardens or donated to local composting facilities.
• Use hair in textiles: Some companies are using hair to create sustainable textiles, particularly for furniture stuffing and insulation. Partnering with such companies can give your hair clippings a new life.

7. Eco-Friendly Cleaning Supplies: Keep It Green

Maintaining a clean salon is essential, but traditional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that are harmful to the environment. 

By switching to eco-friendly cleaning supplies for your salon, you can reduce the number of pollutants you introduce into the air and water.

Tips for Eco-Friendly Cleaning:

• Use non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products: Opt for cleaning supplies that are free from synthetic chemicals and are biodegradable. Vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap are effective, non-toxic alternatives.
• Reduce paper towel usage: Instead of disposable paper towels, use washable, reusable cloths to clean surfaces. This cuts down on waste and saves resources.
• Eco-friendly laundry detergents: Choose detergents that are biodegradable, phosphate-free, and cruelty-free to wash towels and capes.

8. Green Certifications: Let Your Clients Know

Getting certified as a sustainable salon can help communicate your eco-friendly efforts to clients, enhancing your credibility and marketability. 

Tips for Green Certifications:

• Look into certifications like Green Circle Salons: Green Circle helps salons reduce their waste, offering programs for recycling salon materials like hair foils, color tubes, and even hair itself. By becoming a member, you signal to your clients that you’re committed to sustainability.
• Display your eco-friendly efforts: Don’t be shy about letting your clients know what steps you’re taking to become a sustainable hair salon. Display certificates, use signage, or promote your green initiatives on social media.

9. Educate Your Team: Get Everyone Involved

Making your salon eco-friendly requires commitment from the entire team. 

By educating your staff on sustainable practices, you can ensure that everyone is aligned in your efforts to minimize environmental impact.

Tips for Educating Your Team:

• Hold sustainability workshops: Organize regular training sessions to educate your team on eco-friendly techniques and products. Make sure they understand the importance of reducing energy, water, and waste.
• Set measurable goals: Assign clear sustainability goals for your team, such as reducing water usage by a certain percentage or switching entirely to eco-friendly products.
• Encourage eco-friendly commuting: Incentivize staff to use public transportation, cycle, or carpool to reduce their carbon footprint.

10. Go Paperless: Use an Online Salon Scheduling App

Instead of keeping tabs on appointments and revenue on paper, an all-inclusive scheduling app like Schedulicity can help streamline your business, while also helping you run things in a more eco-friendly way.

What to Look for in a Salon Scheduling App:

• Flexible booking calendar: Make sure you find an online scheduling app that’s intuitive and user-friendly — and that the digital calendar is flexible. Consider Book Again options, recurring appointments, and the ability for clients to easily cancel or reschedule their appointments.
• Automatic email and text reminders: You don’t have time to confirm all of your appointments by phone or email. That’s why your scheduling app should do it for you. If an online scheduling app doesn’t offer automatic email and text reminders, it’s not worth your money.
• Email marketing: Email marketing is critical to nurturing client relationships — from newsletters announcing special deals to thank-you notes for repeat customers and event promotion.
• Payment processing: Choose a scheduling app that allows your clients to pay online when they book. This way, all your payments are connected to your appointments automatically.

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Are you a salon owner looking for an online scheduler?

At Schedulicity, we have all the tools you need to run your salon business. 

From online booking and appointment reminders, to email marketing and payment processing, you get everything you need to take your business to the next level!