Today’s client assumes you have a good grasp of sustainability and the potential environmental impact of your hairdressing/colouring service. So get to it and ensure you’re on the case. Our mantra for the next few weeks is… Tackle the hidden plastics in your salon. 5 Easy Switches for Plastic-Free July
What do you do?
Here’s hoping you have already adopted systems for recycling foils, switching to refill products or eliminating single-use cups. Well done, but we want more. Our friends at Green Salon Collective tell us some of the biggest opportunities to reduce plastic are hiding in plain sight.
Plastic Free July shines a spotlight on everyday plastic consumption, Green Salon Collective (GSC) are now encouraging hairdressers to rethink the products and systems they may have overlooked.
Here are five unexpected ways Green Salon Collective suggest salons can reduce plastic this Plastic Free July:
1. Swap Conventional Toilet Roll for Plastic-Free Alternatives
Most salon owners don’t realise that many mainstream toilet paper brands are wrapped in plastic and often made from virgin pulp. Switching to recycled, plastic-free toilet roll suppliers can eliminate hundreds of pieces of plastic packaging from a salon each year while also reducing demand for virgin materials.
2. Rethink Cleaning Products and Refill Systems
Salons use large volumes of cleaning products every week, yet these are often supplied in single-use plastic containers.
Switching to concentrated cleaning products, refill stations, or tablet-based cleaning systems can dramatically cut plastic packaging while reducing storage requirements and transport emissions. Many suppliers now offer commercial-grade alternatives specifically designed for businesses looking to reduce waste!
3. Ditch Plastic Milk Bottles in the Staff Kitchen
Tea and coffee are part of salon culture, but milk bottles and cartons often generate a surprising amount of plastic.
Many salons are now exploring reusable glass bottle milk deliveries, oat milk supplied in recyclable cartons, or local refill schemes. While the change seems minor, it can remove dozens – or even hundreds – of plastic containers from a salon’s annual waste stream. Another option is making up your own oat milk, like Green Libertine Zoë Rees from Bliss Hair Therapy does, using Overherd powder. This way, it’s plastic-free and reduces food waste!
4. Review Laundry Packaging
Towels are a salon essential, but the detergents and softeners used to wash them often arrive in large plastic containers.
Eco-conscious salons are increasingly switching to refillable laundry products, detergent sheets or bulk-buy systems that reduce packaging waste. Some are also choosing concentrated products that require less packaging overall.
If you use reusable or single-use towels, make sure to check the composition, as they are often synthetic and made from plastic. If you’re washing towels made from materials like polyester or nylon, consider using a guppybag or a washing machine filter to prevent microplastics from being released. If you use single-use towels, swap to a compostable, 100% plant-based alternative like Replant Towels.
5. Eliminate Hidden Plastic from Client Refreshments
From individually wrapped biscuits to plastic stirrers and condiment sachets, refreshments can create a steady stream of avoidable waste.
Switching to loose tea, refillable sugar dispensers, reusable spoons and locally sourced snacks without plastic packaging can significantly reduce salon waste while creating a more premium client experience.
Small Changes, Big Impact
Importantly, while the UK hair industry produces significant volumes of waste every year, many sustainability improvements don’t require major investment. Industry experts increasingly point to operational changes and everyday purchasing decisions as some of the easiest ways for salons to reduce their environmental footprint.
Green Salon Collective believes Plastic Free July offers the perfect opportunity for salons to audit their operations and identify hidden sources of plastic!
So we’re asking this: What’s one pledge you’ll make for Plastic-Free July, to reduce salon plastics?
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