It’s Everyone’s Responsibility to Care About Waste

Every action you have has an impact on the world around you. Your work at the salon included. In fact, salons waste around 15 million pounds of waste every year – in North America alone! Studies show that if we keep on the current trajectory, waste could increase by up to 70% in the next 30 years. Salons around the globe are realizing this is simply not sustainable. Not only does it hurt watching color they purchased get rinsed down the drain, it shatters the first and most important principle of conservation – reducing what you use to minimize the impact on the planet. 

 

Being Green is Not Only Accepted, It’s Expected

 

Your clients care about the planet, plain and simple. In a world accosted by images of a depleted and damaged environment, many people are trying to find ways they can make a global impact in their own daily lives. This includes changing their spending habits and loyalties to businesses that are like-minded. And when it comes to sustainability, this is a vital aspect of living a low-impact lifestyle. To minimize your impact on the planet, where you spend your money matters. Even if some of your clients aren’t focused on sustainability as a lifestyle, consumers of all age groups and demographics are statistically more likely to choose shops and services that align with their morals and values so they can feel good about themselves and feel like they are contributing to positive change. Likemindedness breeds loyalty in any industry, but especially in places where extensive time is spent, such as the salon.

While clients aren’t likely to give up their regular highlight service, they’ll love the fact that you are precisely managing the amount you use and disposing of it responsibly. Waste and waste management are more important than ever to our environment, and clients know this as well as anyone else. Showing your clients what you are doing to care about the future solidifies their decision to be a regular customer.  

 

Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk

 

Sustainability has gone from a niche subject to a global issue that is not only top of mind for your clients, but also your suppliers and stylists. It is the responsibility of each of us to do our part to elevate sustainability in our industry, and your team and your clients want to hear about it. Putting your efforts on your website and social media to demonstrate your initiatives helps attract like-minded consumers and stylists to your business. Putting your Vish scales and iPad prominently so your clients can see how you precisely manage their formulas for a zero-waste policy and utilizing tools that are visibly eco-friendly not only gives your stylists more sophisticated tools to create, but it also shows that you aren’t just talking about it, you are part of the solution. 

Caring about waste, managing it properly, and showing your clients that you care about the environment affect your brand and the way people look at your business. Choosing to align yourself with companies such as Vish, ECOHEADS, TerraCycle and/or Green Circle Salons  will put you on the path while also elevating your craft, but they can and should be part of your communication plan to promote your efforts and show your clients that you are working to protect the community and the planet. 

You can read more about how to eliminate waste in your salon here.