Q: When did you start to take sustainability in your business seriously? A: Being an Aveda salon we have always taken sustainability seriously. From the very beginning 6 years ago. Part of Aveda's mission is to care for the world we live in, from the products we use, to the ways we give back to society. As a salon, we quickly adopted ways and habits which supported this.
Q: What are the most important environmental considerations in your business?
A: Sustainable Salons supports so many of the recycling and waste initiatives we had already introduced in the salon and I love that it is the bigger picture and can make more of a difference as a collective instead of each salon individually.
Q: How do you get the staff involved and have them participate in your strategies?
A: Our staff love it and have adapted to the change quite quickly. Sustainability is part of our salon's ethos. They simply don't have a choice, as it has always been this way. All new staff are inducted with our environmental strategies and it's something we all believe in.
Q: What's your advice for other business owners who don't know where to start with recycling and sustainability?
A: Just start! Even working on changing and focusing on one thing a month. Create a timeline and have a clear goal. We started with simply recycling paper, cardboard, plastics and went on from there. Simple things like Refoil, joining the AHC, installing Ecoheads, and joining Sustainable Salons Australia will all help you on your way.
Q: What are your business goals in terms of sustainability?
A: Our current goals are working towards being paperless & reducing waste even further, including our product wastage.
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Huge thank you to Michelle Parsons of Om Shalom Hair and Makeup for answering our questions and providing such great feedback and insight to others who may be hoping to head in a more sustainable direction with their salons too! Click through to learn more about Om Salom.
