In the interest of a cleaner planet and better management of its resources, sustainability is one of the greatest issues of our time. As consumers become more aware of their own impact on the environment, they demand that businesses do the same. Taking steps to operate in a more sustainable manner can catch the attention of your salon customers – current regulars and potential new guests.
Caring about sustainability fits perfectly into the beauty and wellness category, in which looking good, feeling good, and doing good can be in lockstep. Taking actions toward sustainability is not limited to big brands; even smaller salons can, and are expected to, reduce their environmental footprint.
In this blog post, we discuss five steps you can take to make your salon more sustainable.
1. Choose sustainable products
The beauty industry still uses a number of ingredients that are not environmentally friendly. Harsh chemicals used in hair dyes, shampoos, and other beauty products can harm the environment – in particular, the seas. To combat this, consider products made from sustainable and organic ingredients where possible.
What to do: When you select your next salon range, look for products that are eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and sustainably packaged. Industry data suggests it’s a sound business decision: The natural hair care product market is predicted to grow by more than 40% to 2030.
2. Review and reduce energy consumption
Another way to make your salon more sustainable – and save money – is to examine your energy use.
What do to: First, when your electricity contract is next up for renewal, look for a supplier who generates energy from sources like wind and solar.
Second, audit your salon’s lighting and electrical equipment to establish which items can be swapped for energy-efficient counterparts. While this requires some initial spending, you’ll get a notable return on investment in the form of reduced energy use and lower energy bills. For example, LED lighting – perhaps the easiest switch to make from conventional lights – uses up to 80% less energy than traditional halogen bulbs.
3. Introduce reusable salon supplies
Towels, robes, and several disposable items that are commonplace in salons can negatively impact the environment and contribute to landfills. Thankfully, there are some excellent eco-friendly options available on the market today.
What to do: Look for salon suppliers that offer recyclable and biodegradable products where possible. To reduce waste, consider swapping single-use items for their reusable counterparts. Additionally, set up your team with the facilities to recycle any plastic, glass, and paper products used in your salon.
4. Promote sustainable practices
Your staff is responsible for the most product use at your salon, and the most water and energy consumption. By educating them on sustainability practices, and asking them to comply, you can reduce operational costs as well as your impact on the environment.
What to do: Helpful strategies include using only the correct amount of product for each guest, recycling any packaging, turning off lights and equipment when not in use, and reducing unnecessary water use.
5. Go paperless with digital forms
Paper forms aren’t just a source of deforestation. They can also make for a messy front desk and, let’s be honest: handing a paper form to a guest doesn’t feel very 2023.
It’s high time to swap your paper forms for digital forms to achieve a modern, paperless salon experience. Customers prefer it – as does the planet.
Zenoti digital forms are an essential part of salon management software, and can be easily customized to meet your business needs. Within our complete software platform for salons, you get access to a library of commonly used forms, and a simple, user-friendly form builder to create your own.
Staff can send forms to guests before and after their appointment, depending on your services and follow-up care. Digital forms make for a smoother check-in and check-out experience, and Zenoti stores all forms securely, associated with each guest’s profile.
Summary
Running a sustainable business is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a consumer expectation. Consider eco-friendly business practices a win-win strategy – for your brand and the planet. By minimizing waste and unnecessary water, energy, and product consumption, you’ll reduce your overhead costs and your impact on the environment.
Zenoti helps you eliminate paper use and run your entire operation digitally – from appointment bookings to sales, marketing, digital forms, scheduling, and inventory management.
See how Zenoti can grow your revenue and modernize your business.
Talk to one of our consultants today.
