As we celebrate Global Recycling Day, here at Green Salon Collective we want to show how hair salons can not only help the planet by recycling but also boost their bottom line. With over five years of expertise in recycling salon waste, including hair, foil, and colour tubes, GSC has proven that sustainability is not just good for the environment – it can also be a profitable business strategy.
Research shows that the average hair salon in the UK could earn an extra £1,500 annually by participating in the GSC recycling programme. This additional income comes from a small “green fee” added to customers' bills, which helps cover the costs of recycling and supports the salon’s sustainability efforts. This simple initiative not only helps reduce waste but also generates a new revenue stream for salons.
Since its launch, GSC has worked with thousands of salons across the UK, promoting a more sustainable and profitable future for the hair and beauty sector. Over the past five years, this initiative has resulted in an incredible £2.2 million in additional profits for freelancers, hairdressers, and barbers across the country. This shows how seamlessly eco-friendly practices can be integrated into daily salon operations while enhancing financial performance.
“We’re incredibly proud of the impact we’ve had on both the environment and the industry,” said Fry Taylor, co-founder of Green Salon Collective. “Our mission is to make sustainability accessible to all salons. With our simple, cost-effective approach, we’re proving that being green isn’t just good for the planet – it’s also great for business.”
The GSC recycling programme focuses on diverting commonly discarded salon materials, such as foil, colour tubes, and hair clippings, from landfills. These materials are carefully sorted, cleaned, and recycled into new products, helping to reduce the salon industry’s environmental footprint. Thanks to years of research and development, hair can now be recycled in over 10 different ways, including using it to clean up oil spills, create art, or even produce hair and wool gardening twine.
In addition to its recycling programme, GSC provides valuable support to salons looking to integrate sustainability into their services. This includes guidance on how to introduce the green fee to customers and the many benefits of adopting eco-friendly practices. Salons can even try GSC for free for 30 days to see how easy it is to generate extra revenue while getting their clients excited about sustainability.
This Global Recycling Day, GSC is encouraging salons across the UK to take action by signing up for their recycling programme and start benefiting from additional revenue while making a positive impact on the environment.