Cutting down on hair salon waste

Most of us get our hair cut regularly. It is a part of everyday life we might not even think of when we consider sustainability, but hair salon waste is a big issue in the UK. For example, what do they do with all of that hair they cut off?

“Hair salons are one of the biggest contributors to waste on the high street. We were shocked to see how far behind the UK is with salon sustainability, this was long overdue.”

Paul Seward, co-founder of the Green Salon Collective (Guardian)

Recycling hair waste

According to the Green Salon Collective 6,700 tonnes of human hair waste is discarded by salon customers every year. 98% of that hair ends up in landfill where it creates greenhouse gas. That’s why GSC is on a mission to recycle some of that hair into useful products. 

The obvious use for hair that has been cut off is for wigs for cancer patients and people who have suffered from hair loss. But to be used as a wig, the hair needs to be long enough. GSC have come up with a number of alternative uses for hair: 

  • Agricultural compost and potting felt for the garden
  • Hair rope
  • Wool alternatives and wool mixes
  • Dresses and clothes
  • Building materials and particle boards
  • Mopping up oil spills with hair booms and mats

Hazardous salon waste

Hair is not the only waste that a salon produces. Other types of waste include metals from tubes and foils used for colouring hair, chemical waste from bleaches, perms and dyes, and discarded electronic waste like hair dryers or tools like clippers. Hair salons use lots of towels, aprons, and PPE when working with clients too. 

Green Salon Collective has solutions for a range of salon waste. Their research shows that only 1% of salon metals are recycled. To address this, they have a foil, metal and tube recycling service and 100% of the profit from metals goes to their chosen charities: Haircuts 4 Homeless, Mossy Earth and Foodcycle. 

Hazardous chemical waste is used to generate renewable electricity. Consumables like aprons, PPE, wet wipes and cotton buds, wax strips and paper food packaging can be collected in bins which are delivered directly to the salon by a specialist. 

Compostable towels

GSC has even developed an innovative alternative to cotton towels with Replant Towels. Replant low-use towels are 100% plant based and can be recycled nationwide. And for every order a tree is planted. 

Joining the Green Salon Collective 

The Green Salon Collective have made it as easy as possible for a salon to be more sustainable. They have a simple subscription model that starts from £24 for collection bins. 

They have marketing and promotional materials to support salons transitioning to being green. And a green fee system that will help the salon to cover the costs of returns and also make them a profit. 

GSC is a great example of a company that is leading the way and showing other businesses how they can reduce waste and carbon emissions with simple strategies. We offer free net zero training and support to all our members through our ‘Let’s do net zero’ training program. Join Blue Patch today.

Annette Clubley

Annette is a keen wildlife conservationist, mindful of sustainability and our impact on the environment. Outside of work, family is her focus and she loves teaching the next generation to enjoy the outdoors.