Today's post is the first installment in a brand new series we're rolling out here called 'The Sustainable Salon Spotlight'. Sustainable Salons Australia is so thrilled and proud to be working with such an incredible group of salon owners who are dedicated to giving back and making a difference for our environment and future generations. Our new series will highlight some of these salons we're working with, and provide suggestions from each salon owner on how they've made becoming a sustainable salon work for them!
Q: When did you start to take sustainability in your business seriously? A: Woohoo Salon has always maintained mindful initiatives when it comes to sustainablility. As awareness has grown, we have been better educated. In 2009, Woohoo participated in an energy consumption audit in the lead up to Earth Hour, performed by Energy Australia. This provided us with many energy saving ideas that we implemented. I will say that this was the catalyst in us improving our performance to minimise our effect on the environment.
Q: What are the most important environmental considerations in your business? A: Our Environmental Policy aims to minimise any effect our activities have on the environment. Specific to our salon we focus on reducing our energy and water consumption and going paperless where possible. Most importantly we focus on keeping our waste from landfill. Instead recycling everything to create renewable resources. Through our partnership with Refoil, we learned the alarming statistic that each year just in Australia, over 1.5 million kilos of Foil and colour tube waste went to landfill and that only 1% of salons are recycling their foil. Their goal is to "make salon waste history", we believe in this cause & are dedicated to seeing it realised. We have Implemented systems to: - Keep all of our foil & colour tubes from landfill. - Recycle all our paper and cardboard. - Putting into service the one use, Easy Dry Towels, that save both water and energy by eliminating the need for a washing machine and dryer. - Saving money, time & the environment by using refoil, Australia's first, recycled and recyclable salon foil. - Installing led lighting - Keep all chemicals from our waterways. - Installation of ecoheads shower heads, that use 7 Litres of water per minute. 56% less water then non-water saving shower heads. - Recycle all our hair clippings and donate all our ponytails.
Q: How do you get the staff involved and make them participate in your strategies? A: Creating systems and policies that are compulsory not voluntary.This is achieved through education and training. Formats are verbal, video, check lists, step by step guides and role playing.
Q: What’s your advice for other business owners who don’t know where to start with recycling and sustainability? A: Do something! By raising awareness and educating the community and hair industry, the increased volume of participation will help make a significant change. This has been a great journey for us. As a starting point I would recommend and encourage other business owners to contact Sustainable Salons Australia for advice, education and systems. 
Q: What are your business goals in terms of sustainability? A: To introduce our next generation of hair stylists, colourists, managers and business owners to a new mindset where minimising our impact on the environment is a core value. This will be achieved by implementing and constantly improving our waste management systems, making them a priority, educating our staff, clients, community and industry. With the help of SSA we have reduced our waste to 5%, we would like to reach 0% In there next five years Woohoo plans to be self sustaining with the use of solar and battery to power our Salon. ---- Huge thank you to Brett Stafford of Woohoo salon 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 Woohoo Salon.
