These 3 Salons Are Both Sustainable and Successful

By Kristen Heinzinger Apr 22, 2019 12:16pm

A.Salon

Chicago’s a.salon was opened by color specialist Amy Moser and her husband Rudy with the mission of making “beauty simplified.” “The world is visibly changing, whether that’s pollution in our oceans and waterways or declining air quality,” Moser says. “When deciding to open a.salon, we wanted to make a difference.” Step one was joining Green Circle Salons, so that 95.5 percent of its byproducts are recycled, including hair, foils, balayage plastic, color tubes and developer bottles. The salon also invested in fixtures, equipment and products, and installed low-voltage LED lighting and tankless water heaters. “It’s our hope that people recognize our sustainability efforts and choose to be part of the movement,” Moser says.

In stock: Eleven Australia, Kevin.Murphy

Novak Hair Studios

When opening Novak Hair Studios, co-founders Benjamin Novak Hudgins and Justin Hudgins saw it as a responsibility as business owners to provide easy ways for clients to be green. “What if people knew that the North American salon industry is contributing 421,206 pounds of waste into the landfills a day?” Benjamin says. The first step was partnering with Green Circle Salons. The salon installed water-saving devices, including Ecoheads at shampoo bowls, and implemented a clean air initiative, decorating the salon with plants that turn harmful fumes into clean oxygen and creating 100 percent fresh air intake through a state-of-the-art VRF system that regulates energy efficiently. Motion-detecting, pure LED lighting is in every fixture to minimize heat load and electricity used. “The price you pay is small in comparison to income gained, and besides, it’s just simply the right thing to do,” he says.

In stock: Eufora

Pony Salon

In addition to partnering with Green Circle Salons, Corinna Hernandez’s Oakland, CA hotspot Pony Salon also invests heavily in environmentally friendly organizations and partners with Carbonfund.org, which reduces the salon’s environmental impact by donating to a reforestation and anti-deforestation fund. The salon also utilizes the UPS carbon neutral shipping program when possible. “I think that like-minded folks will vibe with our vibe and come get excellent hair services here, but our hope is to set an example for all businesses,” Hernandez says.

In stock: CULT + KING

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