TH E BU SI N E S S S U STA IN A B IL IT Y
WORDS GEORGINA FULLER / MATT LAMY
When it comes to eco-awareness, the world is changing rapidly – and it’s time salons change too.
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onsidering the amount of resources used by the hair and beauty industry, sustainability and environmental awareness should be at the front of most salon owners’ minds. A report by energy supplier Selectra estimated that a small salon uses 7000kWh of electricity a year – more than double the average UK household. And stylist and salon owner Anne Veck (see Top 3 tips for sustainability) has calculated that UK hair salons and barbershops generate more carbon dioxide emissions – around 750,000 to 900,000 tonnes a year – than many small countries.
‘Add in the huge amounts of energy, water, plastic and chemicals that we use, and the large amounts of waste, and the industry’s impact is considerable,’ says Anne. ‘And that doesn’t even include supply chains and the impact of the manufacturers who supply our products.’ However, lots of simple steps can be taken, and good eco-sense – with reduced demand for resources and less waste – can mean good business sense. The Eco Hair and Beauty project, for example, found that switching to eco-friendly practices could save the average four-seat salon £5300 every year. So where should we start?
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