Small changes to help your salon go green

Giving your salon a green makeover doesn't have to be time-consuming, expensive or even particularly difficult - in fact, it's the small differences in your everyday actions that add up to a lasting, sustainable step change. From turning the taps off at the backwash between rinses to ensuring used bottles are recycled correctly, environmentally-friendly updates aren't just good for the green cause, but can also help you save money, work more effectively and ensure you're getting the most from your products, appliances and energy suppliers. Making a few key environmentally-friendly changes can also attract new clients and ensure existing customers know that you're doing your bit for the good of the planet. According to a recent Mintel report, consumers are just as interested in patronising green businesses as they are about purchasing eco-friendly products. And with 2014 marked as the year that the green market is predicted to grow to a value of £155bn a year, it seems the opportunity this market presents cannot be underestimated. Lighting and heating "Our single biggest green investment has been a heat exchange system - something quite unique to hairdressing salons in this country. It works by recycling, then converting all of the energy generated by the hairdryers in the salon to heat both the water and central heating. Over time, this is fantastically economical and as none of that hot air is escaping into the atmosphere, it is eco-friendly too. Our clients absolutely love that we are such a green salon." Charles Dodds, Cutting Room Creative, Leeds

• Switch to energy-efficient lighting
• Ensure radiators aren't blocked by furniture and are regularly bled
• Get your heating system serviced regularly to ensure it's running efficiently
• Turn down the thermostat - reducing the temperature by just 1°C can cut heating bills by 10%

Appliances "We set out nearly 10 years ago to be eco-friendly and environmentally-aware. It has definitely helped to secure client loyalty which is particularly important in a challenging economy. We use green energy from our power company, recycle all waste and use eco-towels to keep our energy consumption down. We use low-energy bulbs and our stationery and retail bags are made from recyclable paper. We also use and retail products from Kevin.Murphy that have an environmental policy which we - and our customers - like." Tabitha James Kraan, Tabitha James Kraan Organic Hairdressing, The Cotswolds

• Buy appliances and furniture that are designed well and built to last rather than opting for cheaper options
• Look for the energy efficiency rating of appliances when you replace them - 'A'-rated appliances will make significant savings on energy bills
• Boil just the amount of water needed when making drinks and use mugs which can be washed, rather than thrown away
• Defrost the fridge regularly and make sure its thermostat is working and set to the right temperature

Waste "Our entire team is aware of product wastage and it's something we work towards reducing. With colour, we only mix a small amount and add more if necessary - the amount used then goes onto the client sheet for reference on their next visit. Overmixing colour means you're throwing more away into the water system which is bad for the environment - but like most eco-friendly factors, it also makes better economical sense not to waste it! We also pay attention to simple things like turning the water off when shampooing, using energy efficient light bulbs and hanging the gowns on the rail to dry naturally to save on electricity - lots of little things make a big difference." Karine Jackson, Karine Jackson, London

• Recycle packaging, paper and waste
• Hair clippings can be composted, but speak to your local council to find out where
• Opt for potted plants, rather than cut flowers
• Swap plastic carrier bags for paper alternatives
• Donate old furniture to charities or non-profit organisations

Electricity "We recently fitted Elan Hair Design in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, with several energy saving devices. Motion detectors attached to light fittings ensure that when an area like the staff room is not in use, the light will be off. They negate the need to remember to turn light switches off, which happens more often than you think. It's a slightly more expensive change but a heat pump to transfer thermal energy can cut electricity consumption by 70% - the higher capital is only an initial occurrence, as they save money in the long term. You can also install solar thermal panels which provide electricity - in fact they often provide too much electricity, which you can then sell back to the National Grid at a profit. Finally, if you do decide to install air conditioning, install inverter air conditioning which uses less electricity than traditional units." Charlie Hearn, Signature Salon Design

• Don't leave anything on standby and unplug equipment like clipper chargers, which use energy even when they're not charging
• Consider using a laptop rather than a traditional desktop computer - they use an average of 85% less energy
• Set screens to sleep or switch down when not in use during the day
• Consider switching to a green energy provider
• Make use of natural light and ventilation where possible

At the backwash "There are plenty of small changes you can make at the backwash to reduce water consumption and cut down on bills at the same time. For instance, I would always suggest turning the tap off while shampooing a client. If you're not using disposable towels, wash them on a cold, low temperature and hang them out to dry whenever possible. On a larger scale, by using low-toxicity products at the backwash area like naturally-based hair colours, shampoos, conditioners and treatments, you can also help to reduce pollution of our rivers and seas." Sonia Byrne, Ruby B, Chiswick, West London

• Fix leaking taps and insulate pipes
• Consider switching to eco-friendly disposable towels
• Turn off the tap between rinses when washing hair and change the handspray to a restrictive spray - just changing this internal mesh can reduce water usage by 50%
• Switch your washing machine to a cold water setting
• Fit your water heater with a timer to switch off half an hour before the salon closes to cut down on heating bills