Sustainable SalonS
We minimise the salon footprint
We’ve established a network of collectors, recyclers, manufacturers and distributors to make sure up to 95% of materials from salons are diverted from landfill.
- Our plastics are collected, cleaned and upcycled into new products.
- All salon metals (including foil) and paper are sold for recycling, and the proceeds are donated to OzHarvest and KiwiHarvest to provide meals for hungry people.
- Hair is collected from the salon floor and stuffed into stockings to make Hair Booms that can one day help clean up oil spills along our coastlines.
- All collected ponytails 20cm or longer are distributed to charitable organisations to create wigs for those suffering from cancer or alopecia.
- Chemicals are collected, pooled and sent to chemical recycling plants where they’re neutralised and turned into recycled water.
- Select disposable hygiene products used during treatments are pulled apart and the materials are sent for repurposing.
Green level up
Sustainably-minded solutions are promoted to help the salon make greener choices. Our Rewards program gives salons access to environmentally-friendly options for everyday salon products, such as eco cleaning products, recycled toilet paper, biodegradable coffee pods, recycled foil, biodegradable towels, biodegradable gloves and more.
Look good, feel good, do good
In partnership with Mylestones (QLD) and Mambourin (VIC) and Workpower (WA), Sustainable Salons is creating stronger futures for people with a disability by providing purposeful work within our material collection and processing streams. All organisations are ‘for purpose’, dedicated to helping people with a disability live fulfilling lives – they believe employment is a critical part of this, and so do we.
In the Sydney depot, we directly employ people with a disability to work across our processing streams, too!
Donate a Ponytail
Who can donate ponytails?
We accept the following hair:
- Hair from people of any age, gender, hair type and hair colour (as long as the hair is properly prepared)
- Chemically processed or coloured hair
- Curly hair ponytails are accepted, but must meet the minimum 20cm length without being straightened
- 100% human hair extensions, as originally verified and labelled by the product supplier
For your peace of mind
Sustainable Salons only sends ponytail donations to verified charities and independent wig-makers working on charitable wigs only (not-for-profit).
Although the independent wig-maker may need to charge for their labour (this remains between the wig-maker and the client), they provide the hair from Sustainable Salons free of charge to the recipient. This saves the recipient potentially thousands of dollars!
How long should the ponytails be?
The minimum length of ponytails we accept is 20cm, measured from where the elastic band is tied (not from where the hair has been cut) to the tip of the hair.
High-grade ponytails are a minimum of 36cm long and virgin hair, and are incredibly valuable as they can be made into wigs for kids. If you can wait and grow yours a little longer, you can make a truly special impact.