All the hair clippings from Élan Hair Design, in Invururie town centre, are swept up and sent – along with other biodegradable waste – to local farms for composting.
In 2012, Élan carried out a £250,000 green refurbishment plan, introducing new processes that made the company the most eco-efficient salon in the UK, it claims.
Run by Gordon and Lorna Milton, their two daughters and 13 staff, the salon has won 16 awards for its environmental work, gained steady revenue growth and a 25% rise in customers.
The salon uses photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, has solar-thermal panels and an air-source heat pump to provide energy for hot water, and LED lighting that consumes 80% less electricity than before.
Energy-saving motion detectors and low-temperature radiators have been installed; new basins cut water use by 64%; a specialist eco-cleaning system uses only cold water; and the company uses compostable towels.
Included in the salon’s refit were carbon-neutral furniture and bacteria-resistant floor tiles, made from 40% reconstituted materials.
Élan has refused to sit back. In 2014 it implemented an action plan endorsed by the Carbon Trust that has helped cut carbon emissions by 90%, the equivalent of 110 tonnes.
Lately it has cut a further 4% carbon emissions thanks to the Energy Saving Trust’s transport review, by replacing its company car with a plug-in hybrid vehicle. As a result, the business saved 81% in costs as well as 3.14 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Élan has also completed level two of the Green Tick scheme, designed to monitor businesses against the Scottish environmental management system BS 8555:2003.
Green innovation runs through the business and its supply chain. Élan works with suppliers who share its passion to source recyclable products – including Aveda bottles and packaging made from post-consumer waste.
It also works in partnership with One Stop Waste Solutions which sorts and recycles the salon’s waste. This means that 95% of general waste is being diverted from landfill, while contaminated packaging, gloves and specialist materials, such as aluminium foil and empty colour tubes, batteries and waste electronic and electrical equipment are separated.
Since the initial work was completed in March 2012, turnover has increased steadily and sales rose by another 10% to £412,533 in the year to September 2014.
Moreover, going the green way has reduced costs and resource consumption. Electricity, for example is down by more than £6,000 a year to £787 – a drop of 762% - and water use by 82%.
The Miltons share their experience with other salons, businesses, colleges and government officials and recently made a presentation at the Green EcoNet conference in Brussels. Their salon is used as an example by the Carbon Trust and Energy Savings Trust.
