Sustainability

This summer, Britain saw the hottest day in recorded history – a stark reminder of the impact of global warming. As the country sweltered, scientists warned that heatwaves are becoming more frequent because of climate change.

Carbon emissions are also rising post pandemic. Th e latest report from the Climate Change Committee, which sets out the UK’s progress towards achieving its net zero emissions targets by 2050, advises that the country needs a more solid action plan to support the strategy.

Th ere have been yet more developments since salonfocus looked at how salons might consider taking steps to be greener in early January (Winter 2022 ).

With the climate crisis now having ‘passed the point of no return’ according to United Nations secretary general António Guterres, there is an even greater need for sustainability awareness and action in the hair and beauty industry – and what’s more, clients now expect it.

‘Sustainability is about managing your business in such a way as to minimise its negative impact on the environment – for example, reducing your energy use, water use and waste,’ says Rosina Robson, director of policy and public aff airs for the NHBF.

Business benefi ts

‘Lots of businesses are on a journey,’ says Rosina. ‘Some see sustainability as a business opportunity and have it at the core of their business model. Others are motivated by using vegan or organic products, and are very much aware of the ingredients used. For businesses with refi ll stations, it’s an eff ective way of attracting new clients into the salon.’

Anne Veck’s salon, Anne Veck Oxford – winner of ‘Sustainable Salon of the Year’ at this year’s

As the climate crisis deepens, it’s time for the industry to take a stand on sustainability.

WORDS KATHY OXTOBY

British Hairdressing Business Awards – uses renewable energy produced by a ‘green’ supplier. As part of her drive for sustainability, she also trains staff to use less water, such as by turning off taps when emulsifying a client’s colour, and using eco shower heads.

Gina Conway, of Gina Conway Aveda Salons and Spas – a ‘Green Libertine’ ambassador for the Green Salon Collective (GSC) and Aveda’s trade sustainability ambassador – ensures that every new team member makes a ‘pledge to the planet’, describing how they are going to promote sustainability. Th ere’s a ‘no plastic’ policy, all lighting is low voltage, and the team use Gina’s ‘eco shampoo’ technique – diluting the product with water and applying it to a dry scalp, which deeply cleanses while cutting water and product usage by a third, she says.

Alongside the benefi ts for the planet – such as using fewer resources and avoiding contributing further to climate change

he planet’, describing re going to promote ty. Th ere’s a ‘no cy, all lighting is low d the team use Gina’s oo’ technique – e product with water ng it to a dry scalp, ply cleanses while er and product third, she says. e the benefi ts net – such as r resources and ntributing limate change

CATERING FOR CUSTOMERS WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE CLIMATE ULTIMATELY MEANS RETAINING BUSINESS – CLIENTS WHO PRIORITISE A GREENER LIFESTYLE MAY GO ELSEWHERE

CASE STUDY CASE STUDY SMALL STEPS, SMALL STEPS, HUGE IMPACT HUGE IMPACT

Brooke Evans, owner of Brooke Evans, owner of Brooke Evans Ironbridge Brooke Evans Ironbridge in Telford, and NHBF Shines in Telford, and NHBF Shines On podcast host On podcast host

Taking small steps over the Taking small steps over the course of a year can have a course of a year can have a huge impact on your carbon huge impact on your carbon footprint. All of our receipts footprint. All of our receipts are digital, we’ve changed to are digital, we’ve changed to Simplydry biodegradable Simplydry biodegradable towels and put more plants towels and put more plants in the salon, and we make in the salon, and we make sure our cardboard boxes go sure our cardboard boxes go to good use by off ering them to good use by off ering them to the local community. to the local community.

You feel great knowing You feel great knowing you’re doing your bit for the ’ di bif h environment. There are fi nancial benefi ts as well – clients come (and stay) because you are eco-friendly, and they want to be on that journey with you.

Starting small changes now to make your salon more sustainable will help prevent you from being left behind.

MORE FINANCIAL HELP

• Any business installing solar panels or heat pumps (for a fi ve-year period from April 2022) won’t pay more in business rates: bit.ly/UK-solar-support • The government’s Bike2Work scheme saves employees 48.25% on buying a new bike: bit.ly/UK-Bike2Work • Install an electric charge point for e-bikes, e-scooters and electric cars. There is a £350 grant per socket available at Pod Point: bit.ly/pod-point-grant • Grants and loans are sometimes available at a local level. Check your local authority or Local Enterprise Partnership • Some banks may have loan schemes for sustainable business investment.

– ‘there are opportunities to save money and cut costs, particularly with regard to energy use’, says Rosina. Becoming more sustainable is also an opportunity to ‘attract and incentivise new customers,’ she adds.

Catering for customers who are worried about the climate ultimately means retaining business, as clients who prioritise a greener lifestyle may go elsewhere. ‘Not a week goes by without a client saying: “I chose your salon because of its green credentials”,’ says Anne.

And it’s not just individual businesses – the industry as a whole seems to be making sustainability more of a priority. A sector-wide energy survey carried out in March ‘showed just how widespread energy-saving measures are in salons and barbershops,’ says Rosina: 82% had taken steps to reduce their energy costs, including turning down

RESOURCES

• NHBF blog – Sustainable salons and barbershops: nhbf.co.uk/sustainable • NHBF energy partnership: nhbf.co.uk/energypartnership • Green Salon Collective: nhbf. co.uk/green-salon-collective • Anne Veck’s award-winning sustainable salon toolkit: bit.ly/salon-re-source heating, turning off lights and installing smart meters.

Circular steps

However, Rosina says that while many salons are getting the basics right, there’s more to do. Simple steps businesses can take to reduce their footprint include using biodegradable towels to reduce water or energy use (thereby avoiding having to wash them), and using ecofriendly products.

Gina suggests that small but eff ective changes could include measuring your carbon footprint

using the WWF’s environmental calculator (footprint.wwf.org.uk) and introducing a ‘reduce, reuse, and recycle’ policy to reduce waste and boost recycling.

More ambitious changes could involve ‘putting pressure on manufacturers to be sustainable’, including requesting refi llable bottles for products. And a largerscale change would be switching to an ethical bank that invests in green energy, Gina suggests.

Businesses within the GSC are trying to help salons be more sustainable. Th e GSC recently partnered with the NHBF to off er recycling services to Members for a discounted fee (see Resources), as well as advice. It handles salon waste through recycling, recovery and composting, uses hair to clean up oil spills, generates clean energy using discarded PPE, and even composts salon towels.

Jess Riggs, the GSC’s UK project manager, says: ‘By recycling materials such as hair, we can create a circular economy – where there’s a constant circle of recycling and reuse, and nothing goes to landfi ll.’

Th e GSC off ers accreditation programmes for the industry, enabling businesses to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. What’s more, its research and development department gives the GSC the latest information on all things sustainable. For example, one GSC partner – SmartMix – has an

NOT A WEEK GOES BY WITHOUT A CLIENT SAYING: ‘I CHOSE YOUR SALON BECAUSE OF ITS GREEN CREDENTIALS’

app that weighs colour usage, which prevents more than £300 a month of colour waste, according to Jess.

What’s next?

Some businesses are thinking about how they can positively add to biodiversity by investing in national or international reforestation schemes such as treesisters.org to off set their carbon use, or by contributing towards local biodiversity initiatives, such as fl ower boxes to attract bees, explains Rosina.

Could clients be put off by the price of a sustainable salon? ‘Th at’s not the case,’ says Jess. ‘Consumers want more ecofriendly options. So salon owners have to be competitive on their environmental impact, as well as price.’

And it doesn’t always cost more to be sustainable, Jess goes on. ‘Th e GSC has combatted this myth by encouraging salons to charge a £1 green fee per client, TOP TIPS making the GSC’s recycling GOING GREEN service cost-neutral for the salon.’ Moreover, while • Have a ‘no plastics’ policy energy-saving bulbs might • Change to eco showerheads cost more in terms of the to use less water upfront investment, they will pay for themselves over time, she explains. • Switch your energy supplier to one that uses renewables

Businesses that don’t • Get into the habit of reusing invest in sustainable and recycling practices ‘will get left behind and see customers leaving,’ warns Anne. And • Use eco-friendly products and biodegradable towels besides, future legislation • Take action – even if it’s just small might make it harder to steps, such using an environmental footprint calculator – and spread the word to inspire others.

82% OF THE run a salon or barbershop if sustainability targets are not met. ‘We could see further legislation around recycling INDUSTRY targets, energy effi ciency standards TOOK STEPS TO REDUCE in premises – which must be improved by 2027 – and air quality THEIR ENERGY USE targets that aff ect the content of aerosol products,’ says Rosina. ‘And guidance on reaching net zero could become legislation further into the future.’ What is Gina’s advice to businesses? ‘Look forward 10 years and imagine the best-case scenario – then bring that future vision forward. ‘Because, whether we like it or not, the climate is warming. So, we need to be 100% committed to achieving a net zero carbon footprint with our businesses.’