Many industries are joining the “green” movement,” such as Architects, Dentists, Massage Therapists, Chiropractors, and Estheticians, to name a few.  The release of Al Gore’s film, “An Inconvenient Truth,” swept the nation with its sobering message.  We need to take a look at how each and every one of us is playing a part in the erosion of the eco-system.  The time has come for us all in the beauty industry to imagine how salons alone are affecting the environment.
It is common knowledge that salons can be toxic.  We use chemicals, produce significant amounts of waste, and consume resources.  Our industry takes a toll on the environment and leads to these concerns:

•    The use and disposal of chemicals into our water treatment plants
•    The generation of foils, empty tubes of color and other solid waste
•    Overuse of resources, such as water

Here Are Some Things You Can Do to “Go Green”:

Limit Chemicals:
•    Use natural, less harmful products, such as shampoos without, paraben preservatives, sodium laurel sulfates, laurel sulfates, artificial ingredients, and colors.  Biodegradable and phosphate free is the best choice.
•    Use semi or demi-permanent, non-ammoniated, colours.  And mix only what you need.
•    Use pumps instead of aerosol containers.
•    When you clean, use eco-friendly products good for any home or business, it’s about changing how we live.  

Save Water:    
•    Install a flow restrictor.  
•    Pull back on using hot water.  Use warm or cool temps.
•    Turn off water when not in use.

Minimize Solid Waste:
•    Purchase products from companies who are also changing their practices.
•    Recycle.  Rinse out plastic, cans, and glass.  Don’t forget other     recyclables in the salon, such as: office paper, magazines, newspapers, cardboard, and paper coffee cups.  Bring your own coffee mug, or travel mug to get your coffee:  usually coffee houses will give you a discount.
•    Mop up messes with cloth towels instead of paper towels.
•    Offer a discount to clients on a new purchase of blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons, in exchange for their old, broken tools that they are plan to toss out.  Your salon can be a drop-off site, collect ten or so, and run them to the recycling center.
•    Emphasize liter and gallon size product purchases, or even better yet, refill these large sizes.

According to the Experts:  
Eric Cory Freed, owner of the first green business in San Francisco, The Organic Architect, says, “These few implementations will save you money and make a huge impact.”
•    Install an On Demand water heater, which heats up water only as needed.
•    Change light bulbs to LED bulbs.  Another choice is compact fluorescent bulbs that come in many colors, which can create dramatic effects.
•    Paint walls with VOC free paint, which release no VOC pollutants and are odor free.
•    Consider the use found objects for interior design or remodeling

 California is not only ahead of the recycling game, but also offers county wide, free, green business certification programs.  As of yet, they do not have standards for salons.  However, you can pay a fee to get certified as a green business.  Greg Beaul at the Institute of Green Business Certification says, “We are one of only companies in the country that will give an authentic ‘Green Business’ certification.  We are passionate about what we do.  We will hold your hand all the way until your salon reaches acceptable standards.”  
Your salon can implement the suggestions above on your own.  When you pioneer these much needed changes, you will give your salon a marketing edge.  Let your clients know, post it, advertise it.  As Freed says, “We have no choice. We can’t keep consuming.”

There are creative ways to recycle salon waste as well.  A brilliant example is the use of the hair trimmings collected from salons.  Lisa Gautier formed a non-profit called Matter of Trust.  She makes mats with hair trimmings and they were used to help clean up the Cusco Busan Oil spill in the San Francisco Bay.  Mushrooms are packed on top of these mats, which soak up the oil, turning it into non-toxic compost.  
One by one, as salons begin to “go green,” our collective efforts will make a substantial contribution to our planet.  Consider the idea of one thousand, ten thousand, or fifty thousand salons focused on using less chemicals, limiting their water and electricity usage, and cutting back on the production of waste.  The impact is huge!

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