The beauty industry has a waste problem. From leftover hair colour to single-use foils and disposable towels, salons generate a huge amount of waste every single day. But the good news? With the right systems in place, your salon can dramatically reduce its environmental impact — and even move closer to becoming zero waste.

At Green Salon Collective, we’re helping salons across the UK and Ireland to rethink their waste streams and adopt more sustainable practices. Here are five ways your salon can join the movement:

1. Recycle with Green Salon Collective

Did you know that hair, foil, and used colour tubes can all be recycled? Most local councils don’t offer these kinds of recycling services, which means tonnes of valuable materials end up in landfill. That’s where Green Salon Collective comes in.

We collect:

Hair (which can be used for compost, mats to clean up oil spills, and even garden fertiliser!)

Foils and used colour tubes 

By joining our recycling programme, you can divert most of your salon waste away from landfill!

2. Compost with Replant Towels

Single-use salon towels are a major source of waste. Instead of sending them to landfill, consider using compostable or biodegradable options like Replant Towels. These towels can be composted after use, breaking down naturally and returning nutrients to the soil.

It’s a simple swap that reduces waste, saves laundry energy, and shows clients you’re serious about sustainability.

3. Offer Clients Refills

Plastic product bottles account for a huge proportion of salon waste. Why not encourage your clients to refill their shampoo, conditioner, or styling products? Refill stations in your salon mean less plastic, lower costs for clients, and a visible commitment to eco-friendly practices. You'll build client loyalty and reduce single-use plastics!

4. Go Paperless and Digital

Receipts, appointment cards, notebooks mean that paper can pile up quickly in a busy salon. By switching to digital tools, you’ll save paper, cut costs, and streamline your admin! 

5. Reduce Colour Waste

Overmixing colour is one of the biggest sources of waste in salons. It's estimated that 25% of all salon colour goes down the drain or into the bin annually. That wasted product isn’t just bad for the planet, it eats into your profits too.

Using a service that helps you measure, track, and mix exactly the right amount of colour every time reduces unnecessary waste, lowers costs, and ensures more accurate stock control! We partner with SalonScale.

Ready to Cut Out Waste this Zero Waste Week?

Becoming a zero-waste salon doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right partners and a commitment to change, you can make a real difference. By recycling with Green Salon Collective, composting responsibly, offering refills, going digital, and reducing colour waste, your salon will not only protect the planet but also attract conscious clients who care about the environment!

Zero Waste Week is the perfect time to start thinking more about how you can reduce waste in your hairdressing business, and become more sustainable. Need help or want to learn more about Green Salon Collective? Book a call with the team here.