Everything you need to know about
Green Fees
What are Green Fees?
For our system to become cost-neutral our member salons charge their clients a £1 to £2 (or euro) Green Fee on every visit. Some of our members call it an eco fee or a sustainable fee. Either way, this extra charge covers all future costs of being a member with us and taking part in our salon recycling program.
Once you pay for a starter kit, we offer a 'pay as you go' service. At any point you can start collecting Green Fees and then use this new revenue to purchase GSC Return Boxes for the collection of your accumulated salon waste, as and when needed.
Why should I charge a Green Fee?
By charging a Green Fee, you're clearly communicating to your clients what you're doing to be more sustainable - and taking them on the journey with you! Our survey showed that salons who charge a Green Fee attracted more new clients than those who didn't.
From a practical perspective, having the Green Fee separate makes it easy to separate from stylist commission, and see the recycling income on your P&L.
How much can I profit from Recycling?
The average sized salon profits over £1,500 a year from recycling with Green Salon Collective and charging a Green Fee - that's profit on top of paying for your recycling.
Use the profit calculator below to estimate what your earnings could be!
Software Integration
We work with most salon software programs. This means we can set up your system so a Green Fee is added to every invoice. This extra revenue does not get added to stylists totals either. It will be accounted for separately on your 'profit and loss' so you can clearly see how much Green Fees you have accumulated versus how much you have spent with us.
Access the software instructions in the Member Downloads!
How will my clients react to a Green Fee?
Whilst most of our salons have no problem with their clients reacting to Green Fees, if you're unsure, just ask your clients! Either do an Instagram poll or speak to your regulars about how they'd feel knowing that you'd be recycling their hair and metals, and if they'd be happy to pay a small contribution towards it. Our member salons, on average, picked up 3 new clients in the first 3 months just because they are on our Member Locator.
Are there any discounts available?
Open to salons, barbershops and freelancers, our Green Salon Collective loyalty programme is all about helping you and your business to run even more sustainably than you already do.
Being a member and charging a green fee means that you should already be in profit or at least cost-neutral.
Now you can earn even more with 20% off full price returns boxes! You can sign up here.
How we support you to charge a Green Fee
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Strut Card
The perfect addition to your reception area, this strut card clearly communicates the optional Green Fee to clients and gives them some extra info.
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Social Media Materials
We have lots of social media posts for you to share when you start charging a Green Fee, and generally to get clients excited about recycling!
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Free Training
We offer free online training for your team, so they can confidently explain the amazing recycling you're doing, the Green Fee and know how to pack the boxes.
Short answer: YES!
In fact, the feedback has been that the vast majority of salon and freelancer clients have zero issue with the Green Fee because they want to support more sustainable ethical businesses.
Our member salons who charge a Green Fee, on average, picked up 3 new clients in the first 3 months that they joined Green Salon Collective due to being a more sustainable option.
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Syd - Q Cut
Watch hereShould I charge a Green Fee? With Green Libertine and owner of Q Cut Salon. Hear how Green Salon Collective has made a positive change in his business.
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Nicole - Salon of Chi
Watch hereHere's Nicole, from Salon of Chi, discussing how she charges a Green Fee, and how she used the 1.5k profit generated from Green Fees for good.
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Oz - Scissors of Oz
Watch hereHere's Oz, from Scissors of Oz talking about her experience with charging a £3 green fee, with her clients knowing and supporting their sustainable endeavors.
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Amélie - Amélie Styles
Watch hereHere's Amélie, from Amélie Styles talking about her experience as a freelancer and GSC member and how her clients are happy to pay a £2 green fee to support a good cause.
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Chris & Tenna - The Hairy Chair
Watch hereHere's Chris and Tenna, from The Hairy Chair about how their clients have been happy to pay a £1 green fee, and that they've even found new clientele through being a GSC member.
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Olivia - Barnes & Bray
Watch hereWe sat down with Olivia Barnes, Owner of Barnes & Bray, GEDDES Forest Hill and GEDDES Ladywell talking about how the green fee has worked for them.
To join us in our mission to recycle salon waste (like hair and metals), you can buy a starter kit from the shop (from £25), as a one time only purchase. Once you have a starter kit, you purchase salon recycling return boxes from us via a pay-as-you-go system.
You fill your boxes with your specialist salon waste like bags of hair, foil, colour tubes and product cans, and when the box is full, we take it away. Our returns boxes hold approximately 550 clients worth of waste and cost from £150.
Our salon recycling system is 100% pay-as-you-go and is funded by your clients paying a discretionary £1-2 green fee on each visit.
We have no hidden fees, no contracts or direct debits.
Most of our members profit from our specialist salon waste disposal system, and are cost-neutral at worst.
You can then re-invest your green profits in your business, or in new ways to be more sustainable!
Want to try recycling for FREE?
Want to learn more about our new offer where you can try GSC for 30 days and pay NOTHING upfront? Book a call with the team below to see if we can even help you.
