Hair and beauty salons across Australia send an estimated 25,000+ tonnes of waste to landfill each year – yet around 90-95% of it is recyclable.
The hair industry has been steadily embracing greater efforts in sustainability, with clients looking for a more ethical and low-tox option when selecting a salon or salon service.
Waste Free Systems, a Sunshine Coast local business offers a customised recycling solution to help make choosing sustainability easier. Waste Free Systems combines onsite waste separation with a regular collection service helping hair salons and hairdressers recycle at least 90% of their waste.
Since Waste Free Systems opened, it has recycled enough metal to power a home for 80 years.
Waste Free Systems offers flexible collection options for salons of all sizes, from regular on-site pickups to new Collection Hubs for convenient drop-offs, with more options on the way. The goal is to make recycling affordable and easy, so cost isn’t a barrier or an added burden for businesses. Customers can also donate proceeds from recycled materials to community programs, extending the impact beyond environmental benefits. By keeping waste out of landfill, these materials can be reused, remade into new products, or returned to raw materials.
After collection, recycled items return to the Waste Free Systems warehouse for sorting and processing preparation.
- Plastics are recycled or converted back into resin for producing new products for the construction industry and other industrial use cases
- Metals (hair foils, spray cans, etc) are recycled into new aluminium to produce new products
- Left over chemicals (dyes, solutions, treatments, etc) are converted back into industrial-use water
- Hair is used in compost, donated to community gardens, and used to make “booms” for oil spill cleanup measures
- Cardboard packaging can be shredded and used in compost (for adding carbon) or sent for recycling back into new cardboard
As consumers place greater value on businesses that demonstrate genuine sustainability initiatives and a reduced environmental footprint, recycling can play an important role in both client retention and attracting new customers to a salon. With almost all salon waste able to be recycled, it’s also one of the easiest and most effective ways for salons to begin reducing their environmental impact.
Waste Free Systems launched its Collection Hubs service to support the growing number of freelance stylists working from home or renting chairs in co-working spaces. These solo operators often don’t generate enough waste to justify an on-site pickup, so Collection Hubs provide convenient drop-off locations in accessible industrial areas. Hub subscriptions are significantly cheaper than site collections, making recycling more viable for smaller businesses.
Waste Free Systems and Ethical Brand Co are united by a shared commitment to sustainability, and by working together, we can create an even greater positive impact on the environment. Ethical Brand Co is proud to now be a Waste Free Systems Collection Hub for the Sunshine Coast region.
Waste Free Systems has created exclusive offers to help kick-start EverEscents, Clever Curl and Eco Style Project Stockists who wish to implement the full recycling system in their salon.
Individual Salons receive a $150 credit on new recycling services.
Freelancers and Home-based Stylists receive your 1st month free access to the Ethical Brand Co Collection Hub. Valued at $80.
Waste Free Systems are proudly based on the Sunshine Coast, and their core service area includes South East Qld (Greater Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast). They have a team of drivers for collections and do not outsource contractors, to ensure your collection service is always regular and reliable.
Waste Free Systems has also recently partnered with Biogone to offer landfill-biodegradable nitrile gloves and bin liners, two commonly used salon items that are traditionally difficult to recycle. These products are available for salons to purchase individually or add to their subscription.
If you’re a salon owner or would like to implement this in your business, get in touch through the Waste Free Systems website or socials (@wastefreesystems) where the team will customise a solution to the business’s particular needs. A salon can usually get started within just a few weeks!