Composting in the Salon: Hair, Towels and More...
Sustainability in the salon industry has moved well beyond swapping plastic bottles for refill stations. Today, the real conversation is about waste: what we throw away, where it goes, and whether our “eco-friendly” habits genuinely make a difference. At Green Salon Collective, we’re often asked a deceptively simple question:
Can salon waste like hair and towels be composted at home, or does it require industrial processing?
The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might hope.
The Surprising Potential of Hair Waste
Hair is an abundant by-product in salons, and it’s often seen as a natural material that should break down easily. In principle, that’s true. Hair is rich in nitrogen, making it a potentially valuable addition to compost, similar to green waste like grass clippings.
However, there’s a catch.
Most salon hair has been exposed to chemical treatments, so we only recommend using it on flowers, houseplants and non-edibles at home. Especially because garden composting isn't as controlled or closely tested as industrial composting.
Hair still gives a huge boost to those plants and flowers thanks to its nitrogen!
Towels: Compostable or Wishful Thinking?
Salon towels present a different challenge altogether. Even when marketed as “eco-friendly” or “biodegradable,” they need to be certified compostable to actually break down properly and safely. Even plastic can 'biodegrade'! It needs to be 100% plant based for composting.
Make sure to only use certified compostable towels...
We also recommend only using towels that haven't been used for colouring, again to make sure there's no harmful chemicals going into your food!
Industrial Composting: A Different Environment Entirely
Industrial composting facilities are designed to handle materials that home systems simply can’t. They operate at much higher, controlled temperatures (often above 55°C), with regulated moisture and oxygen levels. This creates the conditions needed to:
- Break down keratin-rich materials like hair efficiently
- Neutralise many chemical residues
- Process dense or complex materials more completely
For salon waste, especially with the amount of waste, this controlled environment is essential! Green Salon Collective offers a nationwide composting service that turns hair and towels into fertiliser for agricultural use across the UK!
Why It Matters
When hair and textiles are processed industrially:
- Decomposition is faster and more complete
- The resulting compost is safer for agricultural or landscaping use
- Waste is diverted from landfill, where it would otherwise produce methane
The Bigger Picture for Salons
It’s tempting to think that “compostable” means you can simply toss something into your garden bin and walk away. In reality, composability depends on conditions - and most salon waste needs more than a backyard heap can offer.
That’s where collective action becomes powerful.
By working with Green Salon Collective, salons can ensure that materials like hair and textiles are processed responsibly. This isn’t just about reducing waste, it’s about closing the loop in a way that genuinely supports the environment.
Final Thoughts
Composting is a brilliant tool, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Hair and towels may be technically biodegradable, but without the right conditions, they won’t break down effectively, or safely.
For salons committed to sustainability, the goal shouldn’t just be to compost - it should be to compost correctly.
Because real change doesn’t happen in the bin. It happens in the system behind it.
