In the first of our Eco Chatter series we’ve caught up with Green Salon Collective and its members to see what should be on your radar in the coming months and hear from those who are reaping the benefits of being greener.

“It’s that time of year for all salons to talk rubbish. That’s because Zero Waste Week is an annual event each September helping us think about how to reduce our landfill,” says Graham Pollard, owner of Atelier29.

Zero waste affects all salons due to new legislation – all small businesses have until March 2027 to arrange recycling of all plastic, metal, glass, paper, and card [including plastic film] and food waste – or be fined.

This is where Green Salon Collective can help and it doesn’t have to affect your bottom line as Graham says: “You can add £1 per appointment as a green levy. This will cover the costs of recycling your tint tubes, foils, paper towels and bottles through our scheme.”

Get staff onboard by getting them involved: “Next you can tip out your landfill bin with staff and look together at what can be recycled,” says Graham, adding, “plastic film wrapping, crisp packets and plastic bags forms a surprising amount of waste. Now I get one plastic bag and fill it up over the month and take it to the supermarket recycling bin once a month.”

When Head Shed was born in 2019, Founder Shimayne Smith knew they had a responsibility to create a salon where luxury meets responsibility. “As an eco-conscious salon, we have been striving to lead the charge in water conservation not only within our own salon but our fellow community and clients alike. With traditional salons using over 100,000 litres of water annually, sustainable haircare is no longer optional, it’s essential,” she says.

“We’ve installed eco-shower heads, which save between 50 to 65 litres of water per wash and they also have a built-in filter that removes impurities and reduce the need for product reapplication, enhancing both sustainability and hair health. Plus, an additional benefit of cost saving too.

“We’ve also reduced water usage by switching to leave-in products where possible, minimising the need for extra rinsing. We provide staff training on efficient shampooing and water saving methods including using clients left over drinking water to water our plants. A tip inspired by Green Salon Collective is covering our plants with hair clippings to not only provide added nutrients, but it also aids water retention.”

In the future, Shimayne plans to install greywater recycling into their salon systems, to use for toilet flushing and the cleaning of floors, further reducing their need for fresh water. What small change can you do to help save our precious water?

 

Why should you join Green Salon Collective

1. Recycle Everything – Hair, foil, colour tubes, PPE and more, all responsibly handled.

2. Green Fee = Profit – Add a small charge to cover costs and boost eco credibility.

3. Stand Out – Show clients you care about the planet and attract eco-conscious customers.

4. Dispose of Chemicals Safely – No more pouring waste down the sink.

5. Join a Green Movement – Be part of the UK’s sustainable salon community.