8 tips for salon sustainability

Sustainability is big news in beauty and in business. Not only is it good for the world around us, it can help you to market your business, reduce waste and reduce costs. Let's take a closer look at salon sustainability and how to make your salon more sustainable.

 

What is sustainability in a salon?

Sustainability means using resources wisely, reducing waste and being fair to everyone. It's a way to ensure we live well today while keeping the Earth healthy for tomorrow.

Sustainability in a salon is about putting practices in place that aim to reduce the environmental impact of your salon space. This could be conserving resources, promoting eco-friendly productions, using less water and reducing waste overall. It can also link to sustainable practices, community engagement and having sustainable goals that you're working towards as a salon.

 

What are the benefits of making your salon sustainable?

Creating a sustainable salon offers benefits for the environment and your business. Here are some advantages of embracing sustainability in a salon setting:

Reduced environmental impact

Implementing sustainable practices helps to minimise the salon's environmental footprint. This includes reducing water and energy consumption, minimising waste and using eco-friendly products and materials. It contributes to conserving natural resources and mitigating environmental harm.

Positive brand image

Operating a sustainable salon demonstrates your commitment to environmental responsibility. It can attract eco-conscious clients who prefer businesses aligned with their values. A reputation for sustainability can enhance your salon's brand image and attract a loyal customer base.

Cost savings

Adopting sustainable practices can lead to cost savings in the long run. Using energy-efficient appliances, reducing water usage, and minimising waste can lower utility bills. Additionally, embracing sustainable products might lead to reduced expenses over time.

Employee satisfaction

Employees often appreciate working in a sustainable environment. Implementing eco-friendly practices can boost employee morale by aligning with their values and providing a positive workplace.

Compliance and regulation

Embracing sustainability can help your salon comply with environmental regulations and meet standards set by governing bodies or the local council.

Innovation

Embracing sustainability encourages innovation. It pushes the salon to explore eco-friendly products, technologies and practices, developing creativity and setting your business apart from competitors.

 

Disadvantages of making your salon sustainable

Every business is different, and while there are many advantages to creating a sustainable salon space, there are also challenges and disadvantages.

Implementing sustainable practices might require an initial investment in eco-friendly equipment, products or systems. The upfront costs can be a barrier, especially for smaller businesses with limited budgets. In some cases, finding a wide range of affordable, high-quality, and sustainable salon products or equipment can take time and effort. Limited availability can restrict choices and increase costs.

Some consumers might not prioritise sustainability when choosing salon services. Depending on your clients, the perceived value of eco-friendly practices may only resonate with some customers, potentially affecting business decisions.

Hygiene is also a big deal in the salon, so sometimes, a more sustainable or reusable option won't be right. Transitioning to sustainable practices might require changes in operations and workflows. Staff training, adapting to new products or equipment and changing routines can be tricky. The lack of standardised definitions or guidelines for sustainable salon practices might make it challenging to determine the best approach or measure success.

There's also a perception that sustainable products or equipment might not always perform as effectively as traditional ones. While sustainable practices can lead to cost savings in the long term, there might be a perception that eco-friendly products or services are more expensive.

 

How to make your salon more sustainable

If you've decided that going sustainable is important to you, your business and your clients, you can make some small changes to get started. How in depth you go is completely up to you—sometimes starting small and going big feels way less overwhelming than trying to go big straight away.

Go paperless

Going paperless in a salon is smart for sustainability because it significantly reduces waste. By ditching paper forms, receipts and schedules in favour of digital alternatives, salons can save trees and reduce the energy and resources used in paper production. Additionally, going paperless reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting, storing and disposing of paper products. Beyond environmental benefits, it streamlines operations, saves time and enhances secure record keeping.

Use eco-friendly products and materials

Choose haircare, skincare and cleaning products that are environmentally friendly, biodegradable and free from harsh chemicals. Look for products with organic or natural ingredients and eco-certifications—make sure you follow the instructions and patch test in line with your hair and beauty insurance. If you also choose recyclable or biodegradable packaging products, you can help minimise waste. This can save you costs and space when it comes to waste collection. Encourage clients to return product containers for recycling or refilling, too, rather than going for new packaging every time.

Energy efficiency and conservation

With the costs increasing affecting businesses right now, going energy efficient makes sense. Invest in energy-efficient hair dryers, lighting fixtures, and heating or cooling systems. It also makes sense to review your space and see if you can improve energy and heat efficiency or layout to save energy. Look for appliances with good energy ratings to reduce energy consumption, and replace traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting to save energy and reduce electricity bills.

Water conservation

Install low-flow taps and water-saving showerheads to reduce water usage. Encourage staff to turn off taps when not in use, fix leaks promptly and use water-saving techniques during services. Waterless products can also reduce how much water you use (and save on storage and transport costs), and a water meter can be helpful when it comes to working out what you use and when.

Waste reduction and recycling

Get involved with a recycling program for items like paper, plastics, metals and glass within the salon. Educate staff and clients about proper recycling practices where appropriate, and ensure that everyone is aware if you implement new processes. Minimise single-use items like disposable towels and gloves. Instead, choose reusable towels or biodegradable alternatives.

Salon design and furnishings

Choose eco-friendly and durable materials for salon furniture, like chairs made from recycled or responsibly sourced materials. Look for certifications like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for wood products. Design the salon layout to maximise natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. Consider using eco-friendly paint and finishes for walls and surfaces.

Educate staff and clients

Educate and train salon staff on sustainable practices, product knowledge and efficient resource usage. Encourage them to embrace eco-friendly habits in their daily routines.

Inform and engage clients about the salon's sustainability initiatives. Share information about the products used and recycling efforts, and encourage eco-friendly habits.

Monitoring and continuous improvement

Monitor and track energy usage, water consumption, waste reduction efforts and other sustainability metrics. Set some goals, measure what you're doing and then use this data to identify areas for improvement. Establish specific sustainability goals and regularly reassess practices. Adapt and innovate to improve sustainability efforts based on feedback and evolving industry standards.

Implementing these tips requires commitment, planning, and ongoing dedication to sustainability. By incorporating these practices into your salon's operations, you can reduce environmental impact, attract eco-conscious clients and contribute positively to a more sustainable future.

 

Are there sustainability grants for UK businesses?

In the UK, various grants and funding opportunities are available to support sustainable businesses implementing eco-friendly practices or developing sustainable initiatives. Government bodies, non-profit organisations, and private institutions often provide these grants. Here are some avenues for accessing grants for sustainable businesses in the UK:

Government grants and funds:

• Innovate UK: offers funding opportunities for businesses involved in innovative projects, including those focused on sustainability, clean energy, and environmental technologies.
• The Sustainable Innovation Fund: introduced by the UK government to support businesses in developing sustainable and innovative projects.
• Environmental and Energy Efficiency Grants: some government schemes provide grants specifically aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, or implementing renewable energy solutions.

Local councils and regional programmes

• Local authority grants—some local councils offer grants or financial incentives to businesses implementing sustainable practices within their communities.
• Regional development funds—various regional development funds or initiatives support sustainable business practices and innovation. These funds vary by region and target specific sustainability goals.

Non-profit organisations and foundations

• Environmental organisations—some might offer grants or funding opportunities for businesses committed to environmental sustainability or conservation.
• Sustainability-focused foundations—some foundations and trusts prioritise funding projects or initiatives that contribute to environmental sustainability or social responsibility.

Industry-specific grants and competitions:

• Industry-specific grants—certain industries or sectors may offer grants or competitions specifically for businesses focused on sustainability within those sectors.
• Green business competitions—participation in green business competitions might lead to funding opportunities or grants for sustainable business ideas or initiatives.

European Union funding programmes (where applicable)

• EU Funding Programs—while the UK is no longer part of the European Union, some funding programs previously available through the EU might still be accessible for certain sustainable business initiatives.

When seeking grants or funding for your sustainable business, it's important to thoroughly research available opportunities, review eligibility criteria and carefully prepare grant applications or proposals to maximise your chances of success. Government websites, business support networks, and grant databases can provide detailed information on available funding options.

 

Communicating that you're a sustainable business

Communicating your salon's commitment to sustainability to your customers is essential to build trust, attract eco-conscious clients and promote your environmental efforts. Using clear language and signage in your salon, as well as on your website, email and social media, communicate what you're doing to be more sustainable. You can even create educational materials for your clients and staff if you feel that would resonate with them.

Encourage your clients to leave testimonials and reviews that mention your sustainability if this is something that was important to them in choosing your salon. Engage with local environmental groups or initiatives and share your involvement on social media or through press releases. Participating in community clean-ups or environmentally focused events showcases your commitment to sustainability.

Create special promotions or packages highlighting your sustainable services, such as eco-friendly hair treatments or discounted services for clients who bring in recyclable materials.

 

Specialist beauty salon insurance through Ripe 

If you’re a salon owner, insuring your beauty salon can help provide financial protection and peace of mind should the worst happen.

Through Ripe, specialist salon insurance provides up to £10m Public and Products Liability cover and up to £5m Treatment Risk cover as standard to protect you against third-party claims for injury or property damage.

You can also choose additional cover options, such as Employers' Liability and Buildings cover, so you're only ever paying for the cover you need. 

Learn more about how we can help here, or get an instant online quote.