A greener salon business takes small changes

Clients are increasingly aware of green issues and keen to play their part, so keeping them informed about how you are creating a greener salon business makes good business sense. Anne Butterly, CEO of disposable towel pioneer Easydry, explains how. WATER Stop that drip. It might not seem much, but a dripping tap can mean money down the drain. One drop of water a second means 8-10,000 litres of wasted water a year. Restrict it. Fitting a simple mesh restrictor to handsets can cut water use at the backwash by 50%. Hold the flow. Switch the water off while you shampoo and between rinses. Switch to the better way to dry. We estimate our clients have saved nearly 200 million litres of water since we launched our eco-friendly disposable towels back in 2005. Bust the flush. If you don’t have a dual-flush toilet, put a plastic container full of stones in the cistern to reduce the amount of water flushed down the drain unnecessarily. ENERGY Turn it off. Never leave lights and electrical items on when you’re not using them, especially overnight. Electronic devices left on standby will still be using power. If you find this difficult, you could fit timers to appliances or motion-detecting light switches. And don’t forget to unplug chargers for clippers, mobile phones etc, which use electricity all the time they are plugged in, even when they are not charging. Embrace the disposable revolution. Switching to a disposable brand like Easydry will save energy and money, with no more washing machines or tumble dryers going constantly to ensure a constant supply of clean towels. See the light. Make the most of natural light so you can keep the electric lights off. And switch to LED bulbs. They are more expensive to buy, but they will last ages and use a fraction of the energy of all other types of bulbs. They will pay for themselves in the long term, but you could consider replacing a few at a time to avoid an initial huge outlay. Watch what you heat. Make sure your boiler or heating system is serviced regularly to keep it working at maximum efficiency When it’s time to renew, install the most efficient model possible – usually a condenser boiler for gas systems. Make sure radiators are bled regularly and aren’t blocked by furniture. Use a timer to turn the water heater off 30 minutes or an hour before the salon closes. You’ll still have enough left to finish the day’s clients. Keep your cool. Use the cooler settings on hair dryers when appropriate. Experiment with the thermostat settings to find a level that’s comfortable for your team and clients without turning the salon into a fridge or a sauna. Turning the temperature control down by just 1°C could reduce your heating bill by as much as 10%. Power down. Investigate to see if your energy supplier has a green tariff that supports renewable electricity schemes. Have your fill. Use all your appliances to maximum efficiency. This means defrosting the fridge regularly, ensuring full loads for the dishwasher, and always boiling just the right amount of water when making hot drinks for clients or the team. Be aware. Constantly examine every aspect of salon life and look for ways to minimise energy use. Power use meters that plug directly into sockets can show exactly how much energy individual appliances use. EFFICIENCY Waste not. Encourage the team to mix up just the right amount of colour and avoid excessive use of shampoos and conditioners. Not only will this save you money, but it will limit the amount of toxic chemicals being washed down the drain and into the environment. Recycle/reuse. Reuse anything that can be reused and recycle everything else. Paper, cardboard, disposable towels, glass, tins and batteries are all easily recycled, but with a little effort, so are most plastics, aluminium foils and colour tubes and hair (for composting). Used furniture, fittings or appliances can often be rehomed through charity shops or websites such as Freecycle and Freegle. Make a material change. Use recycled or eco-friendly and low-toxicity products wherever possible. Swap plastic carrier bags for paper alternatives. Think about the transportation of everything you use in the salon. Sourcing goods and materials locally wherever possible will cut the amount of energy used transporting them to you. Hoof it. Can you cut car use of the team (and clients)? Do you have somewhere secure to store bikes? Are there any ways you can encourage public transport or walking? COMMUNICATION Involve the team. Getting everyone on board is key, so make sure the whole team is aware of the benefits of greener business practices. Make it easy to recycle, with recycling bins in easy reach (or at least in the staffroom). Stay ahead of legislative changes and ask your team for ideas. Most important, lead by example. Go public. Let the world know what you doing, whether that’s through word of mouth in the salon or by using Facebook and Twitter to spread the word. Be proud of your efforts but don’t greenwash. Clients will appreciate the chance to be a part of anything that lessens your environmental impact.