We’ve reached an exciting new milestone here at SSA… we’ve been named a finalist in the 2017 Victorian Premiers Sustainability Awards in the category of Innovative Products or Services! This is the first nomination for SSA in an awards platform outside of the salon industry, and we’re so honoured to have this opportunity to spread the message of what our awesome salon members are doing for the future of our planet!
“Delivering these Awards each year means we continue to discover the talent and enthusiasm Victorians have for protecting their environment and thinking creatively about new models of sustainability,” says the interim Chief Executive of Sustainability Victoria, Stephanie Ziersch.
“These Awards represent Victoria’s highest recognition for sustainability and acknowledge leadership, innovation and achievement. Each finalist should be congratulated for improving sustainable outcomes across business, government and within the community.”
SSA was launched in Victoria in June 2016 and was the first SSA territory to expand the program into parallel salon businesses – dog-grooming, dermal clinic and barbers.
In 2016 alone, the program reached 63,610 salon clients in the Melbourne metro area and surrounds!
Whilst compiling our submission, we came across some more pretty amazing stats.
In Victoria in 2016, our salon members saved…
1,050kg of paper
2,625kg of plastic
438kg of hair
6,125kg of metals
…from landfill, with the recycling proceeds providing 1,167 meals for disadvantaged Australians.
But wait, there’s more! 300L of chemical waste was diverted from Victorian waterways and 1,458 ponytails were collected to make wigs for Australians suffering from cancer or alopecia.
“Becoming a finalist means that we can spread more awareness about the real difference our salons are making to our environment and local communities,” says SSA Co-founder Ewelina Soroko. “With so much confusion around recycling efforts lately, it’s of utmost importance to us that our salons can show real transparency, as well as share amazing stories that clients can relate to.”
“Having the program recognised in the wider community as making a measurable and tangible impact for our future is an amazing highlight for us!” adds Co-founder Paul Frasca. “We couldn’t do it without the many salon members who not only believe so fiercely in the program’s values, but whose every day actions show their incredible commitment to helping us make salon waste history.”
Now in its 15th year, the Premier’s Sustainability Awards continue to promote leadership and innovation in sustainability, and encourage all Victorians to step up.
The winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony, hosted by media personality Charlie Pickering on Thursday 26 October at the Plaza Ballroom, in Melbourne.
The Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, will personally select the winners of the Premier’s Regional Recognition Award and the Premier’s Recognition Award, which will be presented at the Awards ceremony.
Okay people, cross everything for us!
For more information on the Awards and finalists, visit www.sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au
Sustainable Salons Australia provides the most comprehensive waste free systems to the professional hairdressing industry. We collect and recycle 95% of a salon’s waste and reward the salon for their recycling efforts!
Contact us here if you’d like to become a member of Sustainable Salons Australia.
