Do your clients recycle? Packaging is a fundamental aspect of the hair and beauty industry, there’s no escaping that all haircare products have to be delivered in bottles, tubes, or sachets (to name a few). As we strive towards a more sustainable future for the industry, we must deal with packaging waste. In 2020 a study by the British Beauty Council, The Courage to Change,* reported that a max 50% of beauty packaging is recycled. This is partly due to the complicated nature of the packaging… often incorporating a mix of materials. And it’s not only salon-generated waste to consider. Your clients also may be unsure of how to recycle their hairspray cans, shampoo bottles and tubes. So much ends up in landfill.
We have a proposition for you; get properly informed on recycling packaging waste so you can advise clients better on what to do. Be helpful, be informed, be dynamic in tackling the issue.
* The Courage to Change British Beauty Council October 2020
Drop-off points
One idea you can share with clients is to inform them about drop-off points to collect packaging. Increasingly, beauty package recycling drop-off points are located across the country at various retailers. Businesses that offer this service include Boots, Superdrug, The Body Shop and John Lewis. There might even be an added benefit. For example, John Lewis offers a money-off incentive to use the recycling scheme. The British Beauty Council recently reported that M&S* now also provides this service. Your clients can go online and see which local retailer offers to collect. To make it even easier, The British Beauty Council’s website also has a page where you can log your postcode and it will automatically find nearby drop off points.
* Beauty recycling scheme introduced into Marks & Spencer stores as part of ongoing sustainability commitment by Grace Warn June 8, 2023
Council guidelines
Looking at the recycling guidelines for your local area on the council’s website is a great way to keep informed and you can share the information with clients. The advice you give clients regarding recycling can also tie in with other sustainable hair and beauty tips. These can be as simple as turning the water off in the shower while they massage shampoo into hair, or combing through conditioners. Hold a team meeting to ensure everyone you work with is up to date and informed so your entire salon can help. If everyone is on board you will make more of a difference.
Fun ways to recycle
Business owner Karine Jackson has some great ideas you can share with clients. An exciting initiative by a company called Re=comb makes hair combs from old plastic bottles. Re=comb says it wants to change the future of hair tools to help reduce excess waste within the industry and minimise its environmental footprint. If you have a quick Google or Facebook search, you may find other initiatives such as this…then you can share with clients.
Refill stations
Karine says another great way to help your salon and clients minimise waste is to have refill stations if your product company offers the service. Karine offered a 50p discount to encourage clients to use the refill service. If you are in a position to keep refill stations at the salon, think about offering rewards to bring customers in with their empties.
Another idea is to suggest that clients buy larger bottles of products at a time If they can afford to. This helps reduce packaging waste as buying one large bottle versus multiple small bottles saves on materials. Added benefit; the products last longer. This is a great way to help clients deal with packaging waste early in the cycle.
So, what is the best way to pass on all the information we have covered to help your clients best? We have a few ideas… If your salon has a notice board, try a poster with simple outlines. These can include the different recycling symbols and what they mean (outlined on the London Recycles website); a list of the nearest recycling drop-off points, or a company that takes empties. If posting a physical notice board doesn’t work, try digital. A section on your salon’s website dedicated to recycling could be a great way to inform clients. You could make it interactive, including links to recycling drop-off points or the council website. If digital communication is your thing, add information to a salon newsletter. If you already have a salon newsletter, adding a short paragraph about recycling tips could make a considerable difference…think of all those subscribers!
Even small changes count
Hopefully, we have given you food for thought. Some things may not work for your salon but you will definitely find something that does. Together we can improve the environmental impact of this industry. Even small changes count!
For more of the latest industry news click here
To learn more about the Re=comb recycling scheme, click here
To learn more about The Courage to Change, click here
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