In our fast-paced world of beauty, sustainability might seem like an intimidating goal. But here’s the truth: it’s easier than you think. As licensed beauty professionals, you have the power to make a significant impact on the environment while enhancing your business. Let’s dive into five ways you can create a more sustainable beauty business today.
1. Choose Eco-Friendly Products and Partnerships:
When it comes to sustainability, the products you use and the partnerships you form can make a significant difference. Here's how you can make informed choices:
- Research and choose eco-conscious brands and suppliers: Look for certifications like B Corp, Cruelty-Free, and Fair Trade to ensure you're aligning with responsible companies.
- Audit your inventory and partnerships: Assess your current products and partnerships to identify opportunities for improvement. Consider replacing conventional products with eco-friendly alternatives and seeking out sustainable suppliers and brands.
- Educate yourself and your team: Stay informed about sustainable beauty practices and share your knowledge with your staff to ensure everyone is committed to sustainability. If you’re going to invest time and energy (no pun intended) into your sustainability journey, ensure your team (even if it’s a team of one) are comfortable speaking about your choices. Many suppliers and organizations have accessible learning and marketing materials to make this process easier.
2. Take the Guesswork Out and Partner with Green Circle Salons
Green Circle Salons is a sustainability solution designed specifically for the beauty industry. We believe sustainability should be accessible to everyone and through Green Circle Salons, businesses can divert up to 95% of their salon waste from landfills by recycling and repurposing hair, single-use items, papers and plastics, etc. Whether it’s product containers, collecting excess ingredients or recycling hair, all these recycled items are turned into useful materials like playgrounds, fuel, construction materials and even bikes.
Learn the facts - be the change- 63,000 pounds of hair get thrown away every day.
- 42,000 pounds of excess hair color, lightener and toner are thrown away daily.
- Over 110,000 pounds of used metal, including hair foil are disposed of daily.
Check out their
website to see how much YOU could save from landfills and waterways every year!
Benefits of choosing Green Circle Salons for your business- Be Green: Recover up to 95% of your salon's beauty waste like hair clippings, foils and color tubes, while also becoming carbon neutral
- Gain Clients: 84% of salon guests care about a salon's environmental impact. Grow your business while being an industry leader and making a difference.
- Build Revenue: Whether you're an independent artist or have a team of 100, get help setting up a simple revenue-building program that supports environmental and financial sustainability.
- Save Money: Use additional revenue to invest in environmentally friendly technologies, which conserves energy, reduces waste, and saves you more money.
- Brand Partners: KEVIN.MURPHY, Moroccanoil, and Davines all support your Green Circle journey.
BONUS: when you enroll before May 31, you’ll get enrollment + your first month for only $50! Based on your business size, that’s up to a 75% savings.
Click here to get started!
3. Educate Clients Tips for Sharing Sustainability with Your Customers
Your clients trust your expertise, so why not educate them on sustainable beauty practices? Here's how you can empower your clients to make eco-friendly choices:
- Start the conversation: Integrate sustainability into your client consultations and share information about the benefits of eco-friendly beauty products and practices.
- Provide practical tips: Offer easy-to-implement tips for incorporating sustainability into their beauty routines at home, such as using reducing unnecessary single use items and opting for products with minimal packaging.
- Lead by example: Showcase your commitment to sustainability in your salon or spa and demonstrate how easy it is for clients to make eco-friendly choices. Use social media to share your best practices, inviting your clients and community to follow suit.
4. Conserve Water and Energy: Practical Steps to Cut Your Utility Bills
Water and energy conservation are key pillars of sustainability, especially in the beauty industry. Here's how you can reduce your salon or spa's water and energy usage:
- Install water-saving fixtures: Replace old faucets and shower heads with low-flow alternatives to minimize water wastage.
- Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances: Invest in energy-efficient lighting and appliances to lower your electricity consumption and reduce your carbon footprint.
- Optimize scheduling: Maximize efficiency by scheduling appointments strategically to minimize downtime between clients and reduce unnecessary energy usage.
5. Implement Sustainable Practices in Daily Operations: Practical Steps to Green Your Business
Need to start with smaller, everyday choices? It can start with making small adjustments that can have a big impact. Here are some actionable steps:
- Go paperless: Embrace digital solutions for scheduling, client records, and communications to reduce paper usage.
- Implement energy-saving measures: Turn off lights and appliances when not in use, use natural lighting whenever possible, and consider investing in renewable energy sources like solar panels.
- Know the rules: Place recycling bins in easy to access spaces and educate yourself on your state’s rules and processes. Click here to find your state.
Building a more sustainable beauty business doesn’t have to be complicated. Starting small is still starting. Remember, small changes can lead to significant results, so start incorporating sustainability into your beauty practices today. Your planet and your clients will thank you for it.