Sustainable Salons

David and Gabby Locke and the Entire Tech team receiving their Switched on Business Award from City of Armadale Mayor and Chairperson of the South East Regional Energy Group, Ruth Butterfield. They were joined by Cr Aaron Adams (City of Gosnells / SEREG delegate), City of Melville Business Development Advisor Stuart Tomlinson and Sustainability Engagement Officer Jess Sutherland. Photo credit: City of Melville. 

We love the work of the growing number of cafes, bars and restaurants that are cutting waste through participation in the Last Straw and Responsible Cafes but have you ever considered the impact of other businesses you frequent regularly? Like salons for example?

Servicing hair salons, beauty salons, dermal clinics and pet groomers, Sustainable Salons is a social enterprise that supports salons to divert up to 95 percent of their waste from landfill. Salons create a unique waste stream with lots of chemicals, plastic packaging, razors and hair to be disposed of every day. Sustainable Salons collect, repurpose and redistribute these resources, including providing clipped ponytails for use in wigs for those suffering from medically-induced hair-loss conditions such as Alopecia and cancer.

Sustainable Salons offers a national map of participating salons so you can find one near you. We have recognised one such salon as a Switched on Business for their efforts to reduce waste. Hennaberrys for Hair in Wanneroo is an active participant in Sustainable Salons and also chooses the sustainable option when it comes to their tools of the trade. They use “Paper Not Foil” for all colouring instead of aluminium foil. The product is both reusable and biodegradable. The salon also offers low chemical and ammonia free colour options.

While a lot of their actions may be invisible to customers, visitors to Hennaberrys for Hair will notice their receipts are emailed to them rather than printed and will enjoy the vertical garden outside the salon, where coffee grounds and tea leaves are composted.

Salon owner, Tracey Cottrell, understands that reducing waste starts with thoughtful purchasing decisions. Tea, coffee and cleaning products are purchased package-free from the Wasteless Pantry in Greenwood and even the toilet paper is made from 100% recycled paper.

“We were one of the first salons in Perth to offer ammonia free hair colour. This focus drove me to pursue the low chemical and vegan product ranges we now stock exclusively, and in turn a passion for sustainability. These things all go hand in hand and I am delighted to be able to make a difference,” Tracey Cottrell said.

Visit Sustainable Salons for more information.

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