Is 2018 The Year Of The Sustainable Salon?

From ELLE UK

Should your New Year declaration be to clean up your act in the eco department, it's entirely possible to feel confident that your salon habit isn't letting you down by contributing to excessive environmental havoc.

An intrinsically tricky business model to make eco-friendly – what's a salon without water and chemicals, hey? – but many are making strides in recycling, reducing water and lights usage, harnessing renewable energy sources and using 'clean', green products.

Ralph and Rice is the newest salon on the block (not the bandwagon – this isn't a trend), that combines eco-friendly practices with salon expertise.

The East London hairdressers uses biodegradable disposable towels (lowering the use of energy), has ecoheads fitted to the taps in the basins to reduce water waste, and works exclusively with Davines from a product perspective – a company who promote the campaign for Zero Environmental Impact Salons as part of their commitment towards sustainability.

Ralph and Rice also supports fellow local, independent businesses (from the furnishings and flowers sourced to the coffee and tea served) and reuse product packaging for all in-salon planting and to serve salads or granola pots to customers.

If you buy products yourself, the empty packaging can be re-filled at a discounted cost to reduce wastage – another initiative of which there are more to come in the salon this year to drive further sustainability and education for customers.

Below are some other sustainable salons leading the way, aiming to offset the carbon emissions resulting from their work and to impact the environment – as much as your hair – in a wonderful way. More power to them.

5 more sustainable salons

Ena Salon, Covent Garden, London

For hair and beauty services, Ena "combine neutral, clean living luxury with an opulent approach to up-cycling".

Amaryllis, Cardiff

This salon supports the environment globally and locally in the Cardiff area "in every way we can".

Tabitha James Kraan, Stow-on-the-WoldThis charming Cotswolds salon runs 100% on energy from renewable sources. They also recycle 85% of their waste and use eco-friendly products.

Gronn Eco Hair Salon, Bury

Described as "North Manchester's own cosy and luxurious community minded eco salon with both hair and tea made with love". Beyond their reduced water and energy measures already in place, Gronn want to open a hair and beauty eco training school.

Cutting Crew, Norwich

This organic hairdressers aims to have sustainability running right through the salon, from foil which goes for scrap metal, window displays made from recycled objects (even broken hairdryers), to the use of local products.

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