CASE STUDY 1

REBECCA SEAL, OWNER, REBECCA CLAIRE SALON, WORCESTER

“Our job as hairdressers involves caring for others but over time I noticed we weren’t caring for the planet. The way we deal with salon waste needs to change.

The pandemic was the first time I have had more than a week off in years. Because of this, I had time to examine my business and plan how I wanted to grow and make changes. One key direction was sustainability, and I started by looking at what product brands and colour houses were offering.

I came across FFØR, a British company offering cruelty free, vegan products that smell divine. It ticks all the boxes for me – cool packaging which is 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) and luxurious but not fussy.

At the backwash, I use biodegradable disposable towels from a company called Scrummi – they are affordable and so soft, and create a beautiful experience for guests. As a salon owner I avoid wasting water washing them daily or having to replace them when they are covered in bleach stains. I have also swapped my backwash heads to eco heads which saves money on water and energy, and improves water pressure.

I send hair and metal waste to the Green Salon Collective for recycling – the hair is used to make hair booms which help clean oil spills from rivers and oceans. It feels great to know that they are using waste for something so good when otherwise it would go to landfill. I set up a hydration station for guests’ water bottles and glasses, and instead of constantly buying and recycling magazines, we now have books.

One major step I took a few years ago was to go paperless. I use the Fresha online booking system to send confirmations and reminders to clients; as well as saving time, it has replaced paper diaries and appointment cards.

Looking ahead, I am excited to have more people joining me while continuing to make small sustainability improvements.”

“One of Justice Professional’s strongest core values is sustainability, which is why in 2022 we are taking a step forward and focusing on recycling salon waste, such as bottles and tools, as well as the hair we cut. Furthermore, our holiday packs will be made of recyclable water bottles.”

“AVEDA WAS BORN CRUELTY-FREE, NEVER TESTED ON ANIMALS. ALL PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN 100% VEGAN SINCE 2019, BUT THIS YEAR WE HAVE REFORMULATED OUR PRO COLOUR RANGE WITH SUSTAINABLY SOURCED, COLD-PRESSED ORGANIC INGREDIENTS AND A 100% RECYCLED ALUMINIUM TUBE."

“Sustainability is a complex subject. As brands we have to make tough but informed decisions and be honest and transparent. At KeraStraight and INNOluxe, we reduce plastic as much as possible; our bottles are 100% recycled or bioplastic. We make everything recyclable and continually review and improve.”

“At Authentic Beauty Concept we’re rolling out refill bars, encouraging retail refills which helps salons work to a more circular economy. For 2022, Schwarzkopf Professional is relaunching the Bonacure range as Bonacure Clean Performance – it will be 100% vegan and with packaging made of up to 97% recycled plastic.”

"KAO SALON DIVISION IS COMMITTED TO THE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF ITS ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT – BOTH AS A COMPANY AND AT SALON LEVEL. DEDICATED TO RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION, LOW IMPACT PRODUCT FORMULATIONS, SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AND MANUFACTURING, WE ARE COMMITTED TO MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIPS WITH SALONS, SUPPORTING THEM WITH SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS.”