In October 2022, Nation Beauty became a Sustainable Salon and is something that will be forever expanded on. When I entered the Beauty Industry one of the biggest things I realized was how much waste is in this industry and I was determined to find a way to reduce it while maintaining the highest hygiene standards. While at the Beauty Expo in Auckland in June 2022 I found this incredible company called Sustainable Salons which was the answer to everything I have been looking for. A company who was dedicated to reducing 95% of all waste in Beauty & Hair Salons in NZ & Australia. After a chat with them I couldn't stop thinking about how much they would solve my concerns over waste so I got in touch to get the ball rolling. As of June 2023 Nation Beauty is the only Sustainable Salon in the Horowhenua, Manawatu & Kapiti areas although I would love to see more salons take on this opportunity. Soo what exactly does being a Sustainable Salon mean? Being a member of Sustainable Salons means that I recycle 95% of the waste in my salon which is then reused and repurposed. I have 3 main bins (paper, metal, plastic), a chemical bin and a sharps bin available in the salon. Once these are full I fill a large black bag and courier it to Auckland where it is sorted and repurposed. Lets go over a bit about how they are repurposed: Paper Bin Did you know that paper can be recycled over and over again? - All paper products are sent to the specialised recycling partners who grade, sort, shred and bale it.
- These bales then get sent to paper mills to make new, recycled paper products. During its reprocessing, the mills test the mixture and add virgin fibres to help with any breakdown of the recycled paper fibres.
Metals Bin
Did you know that Aluminum can be recycled infinitely?
- Metal is recycled and put back into foils to go back to salons
- Also stashed in metal bales and sold and all proceeds go to feeding those in need through Kiwiharvest & Ozharvest.
Plastics Bin
Did you know that plastic takes hundreds of years to break down and even then microplastics can remain poullting our waters and land.
- Plastics are given a new lease on life at Sustainable Salons by recycling and upcycling initiatives into new products such as combs, glasses, toothbrush holders, dog leads, coasters and more. - Plastic is all over the world but at least all the plastic can be reused at Nation Beauty. Bring in your old product containers sold at Nation Beauty to be recycled and purchase new products and get a 5% discount off your new products in salon.
Chemical Bin
Did you know that 95% of chemicals in salon can actually be turned into water? - Things that can go in the chemical bin that are used in the salon are things like left over product, tint, tanning solution, jelly masks, dirty hydradermabrasion water these are then neutralised and turned into recycled water.
- This water is used for construction for roading, stopping dust for roadworkers breathing it in, washing trucks etc.
- Councils use it for community gardens, ponds, flushing toilets etc.
- Manufacturing used for wet cutting machines such as concrete.
Soo next time you come into Nation Beauty think about what I might be using and how that will be recycled and reused without going into landfill and how you can help in salon and at home. You've made a great first step by choosing a Sustainable Salon Nation Beauty. You may also choose to add $3 to your bill to help keep Sustainable Salons going to keep up the good work with their recycling programme. Nation Beauty will continue to always find ways that will help the community, the people and the planet. Thank you for supporting Nation Beauty and the environmental choices we make.
Jen Geraghty Owner/Beauty Therapist