Sustainability is Key.

Reducing single use plastic is more than just a hot topic, it has become an everyday discussion!  The damaging effect of plastic pollution was definitely heightened here in the UK through the British nature documentary, Blue Planet II, where the final episode sparked a ‘war on plastic’.  We do however have to realise that not all plastic is bad, but as plastic is a durable material made to last a long time it is those items that are used once and discarded that we need to be more mindful of.

Green Karine.

Having just attended an event by Brand Ambassador, Karine Jackson, on living and working sustainably, we got to hear how Karine has taken it as her own mission to become the first salon to go single use plastic free in the UK and how she is working with long-term client and TV presenter from the One Show, Lucy Siegle, author of Turning the Tide on plastic, to undertake a plastic audit on her Salon. She hopes to develop a blueprint that other salons can follow.

As a hairdresser Karine feels she is in the right place to inspire her clients to introduce small steps to become more sustainable in day to day life.  “You don’t have to do it all in one day” were the words spoken at the event, along with, “there is more than just reducing your plastic usage to help limit your impact on the environment”.

What we have seen you doing.

We work within a wonderful industry, where our Salons use Organic Colour Systems products because they want a healthier environment in which to work.  It is not just about the products they use but for the environment as a whole and it is lovely to see time and time again how our OCS salons work hard to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Here are just a few salons sharing their ideas:

  • Peluquiarte, Chile: (@peluquiarte) – Upcycling activator bottles to use as plant pots
  • Publik Salon, Gold Coast, Australia (@publiksalongc)  – Swapping to biodegradable development caps made from potato starch
  • One Salon, Canada (ONEsalonEtobicoke) – Using coffee pods that are recyclable and plastic free
  • Organic Hair Lab, Phoenix, Arizona  (organic_hair_lab) –  Use Eco Heads shower heads that double the water pressure and cut water consumption in half

Organic Colour Systems Salons embracing Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

What are we doing as a company?

  • 100% Post-consumer recycled bottles, this in the long run will save on using virgin plastic and reuse materials that would otherwise go into landfill.
  • 100% recycled board for cartons and packs
  • Transporting our products in recycled packaging
  • Using Paper tape with a natural adhesive means that the tape is fully recyclable – saving us an estimated 90 miles of packing tape going into landfill each year!

And this is just a small sample of all the initiatives going on at HQ!  Do keep your eye on our social media channels as we share more about our green initiatives. Listen to our Managing Director Raoul Perfitt discussing our green initiatives in this video.

What can you do personally?

There are so many changes that you can make. Here are a few ways to reduce single use plastic to get you started (if you haven’t already)

  • Use stainless steel water bottles and refill as you go
  • Take your own bag to stores
  • Say No to the plastic straw
  • Reusable coffee cups

What can you do in your Salon?

  • Switch from plastic bags to paper bags
  • Use recyclable eco towels to help cut down on electricity
  • Swap your foil for paper foils
  • Use LED lighting which uses less energy
  • Have air-purifying plants indoors
  • Offer refills to your clients
  • If you can’t reuse, don’t forget to recycle!

If you are doing some amazing environmental changes in your salon, we would love to hear from you!

Tell us what you are doing!