The high temperatures and lack of rain this summer have accelerated changing attitudes toward water conservation, with record numbers of salon owners looking for water-saving alternatives, according to sustainability champion Sustain Beauty Co (SBCo).
“There is a general trend towards sustainability in the salon, but the questions don’t always revolve around the planet but also profitability," says Valorie Tate, founder of SBCo. "Salons are looking for more information on how to cut water use, especially expensive hot water. For some, they are responding to prompts from increasingly sustainable-minded clients while others have experienced deterioration in water quality in their area.”
SBCo advocates a whole-salon approach to conservation, from diligence in your facility management to improved leadership around the conversations on how each stylist can make a difference.
“Saving water helps everyone, but it also helps reduce costs. If your leaky faucet means you are heating water that just drips away, then you are pouring money down the drain,” says Tate. “Swapping an expensive, water-guzzling laundry system for biodegradable towels can save thousands of dollars a year and upgrade the experience. Being sustainable isn’t just about the planet; it’s about business sustainability as well.”
Here are some realistic tips to help conserve water in the salon:
- Don’t delay fixing leaks—a small drip wastes 10,000 gallons a year
- Run water-intensive washing machines only when full
- Consider swapping laundry for disposables that use a fraction of the water and are kinder in production
- Install ECOHEADS showerheads on backwash basins to reduce water and energy waste by 65 percent
- Update toilets and faucets to water-efficient products like those from WaterSense (which are also tax deductible)
- Consider a water recycling system where water used in the basins is captured and used to flush toilets
- Use microfiber cloths and a nontoxic cleaners such as The Salon Guys range rather than surface spray cleaners that needs rinsing with water
For more guidance and assistance becoming more eco-friendly in general, including minimizing water waste, salons can look into partnering with Green Circle Salons.