5 steps to become a zero waste to landfill nail salon

1. Waste audit

The best way to start thinking about your waste is to know what you’re generating. Have a look through your salon bins and note the biggest culprits – are they single use coffee cups or specialist items like foils? Once you know what salon waste you need to work on reducing, reusing and recycling, you can make an action plan.

2. Reduce

This is the key step in making your salon more sustainable, and can have a huge impact. Could you cut down paper waste by going paperless and emailing receipts? Could you reduce plastic bottles by offering a plastic-free alternative? Considering everything that you regularly throw away, come up with alternatives that either cut these items out completely or reduce the amount of waste that’s being used in the first place.

3. Reuse

For items like bottles, could you offer a refill service for clients, to reduce overall waste and keep materials in the loop for longer? Instead of offering disposable cups, could you invest in some stylish second-hand mugs or teacups?

4. Recycle

There will be some waste streams that are unavoidable in a salon, which is why we offer specialised recycling services, such as a service to recycle all contaminated salon metals (you don’t even have to wash them!) We also offer a composting service for disposable salon towels: Scrummi and Easydry – both are certified compostable, which means your towels will be used positively rather than going to landfill, where they won’t break down.

5. Say NO to landfill

By recycling everything that can be recycled, we reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and keep materials in use for longer. However, some salon items that can’t be recycled, like some types of plastics, chemicals, contaminated gloves and aprons, may still go to landfill. That’s why it’s important to choose a zero waste to landfill service that turns the waste into energy for the national grid, as opposed to your waste staying in landfills and waterways for 500+ years.

Remember, sustainability is a journey and your clients will appreciate your honesty and transparency while you work on reducing your environmental impact. It’s a great way to connect with new and current clients, and can offer a unique selling point that sets your salon apart. Plus, by charging a small £1 green fee, you can communicate your recycling efforts with your clients as well as go green for free, as the service will be cost neutral. 

Visit Green Salon Collective’s website, Facebook and Instagram accounts and learn about the solutions it offers for your beauty business. Or email hello@greensaloncollective.com to book a free session with a representative.