Greg Murrell from Ryder Salon in Auckland and author Melinda Williams are an eco-power couple. If you’re looking for sustainable inspiration for your home or business, these two have you covered! Greg is helping to pioneer salon sustainability in New Zealand, and Melinda's must-have guide Eco Home: Smart Ideas for Sustainable New Zealand Homes has everything you need to create a sustainable home (New Zealand members can get this on our Rewards Shop!).
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Melinda was immersed in an eco-friendly lifestyle from an early age, she says, “I was raised by parents who were environmental and social activists, so I grew up walking in protest marches against mining and deforestation and chlorofluorocarbon propellants…that sort of thing.” Whereas Greg’s journey began a later in life, “I got to a point where ethically and morally I had to embrace it. It’s something we can do as individuals – we can use our choices to start making a difference.”
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Now both committed to sustainability, they’re conscious of their choices in every aspect of their lives, whether at work or at home. Greg brought Ryder Salon on board with Sustainable Salons, and in his salon are beautiful, sustainable materials such as repurposed native timber flooring and wood and steel fittings. He also chooses products with a focus on sustainability, such as Original & Mineral colours.
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At home, Greg and Melinda took on the challenge of renovating their space with an eco-friendly mindset. This is what inspired Melinda’s book, “I wanted to write a readable book that gave regular people who are interested in sustainable design a clear understanding of what it is, and how to make choices that make living sustainably easier.” Her professional experience in architecture and design mean this book is full of great tips to create a sustainable space, and her personal experience from a life of living sustainably means it has the best lifestyle tips to make it easier to live green.
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Melinda’s favourite lifestyle tip from her book - swapping to bulk-bin shopping - is a great way to reduce waste, “My pantry jars are my third pride and joy after my children, haha. But seriously, changing to bulk-bin shopping and making more staple foods at home (like biscuits, crackers, butter, pizza bases, and so on) massively reduces weekly single-use plastic waste, which feels to me like the big personal eco-issue for 2019.” There are plentiful tips in the book that you don't want to miss, from waste reduction to money-saving hacks, and also find out how not making the bed can give you extra green points!
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Going forward, they hope that more people and businesses become personally engaged with making sustainable choices. Melinda says, “it’s only when you genuinely start trying hard to live sustainably that you realise how bloody difficult it can be! That makes you want to start challenging businesses and the government to do better from the top down. And that’s where fundamental change will occur.” Well said, Melinda. Together we’re making a change, and we hope to see it grow!
New Zealand members can purchase Melinda’s book on the Rewards Shop, click here to shop now.
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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.
