Our Power, Our Planet – What Salons Are Doing That Actually Works

Each month, our Insider Tips series features real stories from salons taking smart steps to cut waste, lower energy use, and improve daily operations. For Earth Month, we asked salon pros across the industry two simple questions:

What’s one change you’ve made that really moved the needle on sustainability?
What advice would you give to others who want to make a difference but don’t know where to start?

Earth Month 2025

This year’s Earth Day theme—Our Power, Our Planet—is a reminder that progress doesn’t need to be extreme to be effective. Consistent, well-thought-out choices make a real difference. At Easydry, that’s been our approach from the beginning. A single change—switching to our compostable salon towels—has helped save over 3.09 billion gallons of water worldwide since 2007. It’s a small shift that’s helped thousands of salons lighten their footprint.

Here’s what our community is focused on right now—and what’s working for them.

Involve Your Team – Start the Conversation

Samantha Cusick – Founder, Samantha Cusick London & Stā Studios

“Switching to compostable towels was one of the first big sustainable changes I made at Stā Studios, and it’s still one of the most impactful. It’s reduced our energy and water use massively, cut out laundry completely, and eliminated microplastic pollution from washing. The towels are soft, hygienic, and kind to skin—which our clients love—and the team loves not having to manage laundry or towel stock. More than that, it sends a clear message: we’ve thought about the details. It shows we’re serious about sustainability—it’s not just a trend.”

“Start small, but start with purpose. Choose one area—like your towel system, energy use, or packaging—and look at how you could improve it. Talk to your team. Make it a conversation. When everyone feels involved, it becomes easier to build momentum. Don’t wait to be perfect. Just be honest, share your progress, and stay curious.”

Set a Plan – Focus on Long-Term Impact

Smitha Islam – Head of People and EDI, Blue Tit

“We use eco-friendly equipment like eco-heads, which save a ton of water—over 1.3 million liters every year. Eco-heads have reduced water usage by up to 65%, significantly lowering the salon’s environmental impact. It is also energy efficient as it uses less hot water, thus cutting down on energy consumption, reducing overall costs. The Increased water pressure ensures quicker rinsing, improving workflow and reducing service times. At Blue Tit salons, using eco heads aligns with their B Corp certification, reinforcing our dedication to eco-conscious practices and responsible business operations. By integrating eco heads, we continues to lead the way in sustainable haircare, benefiting both the environment and our clients. It also helps us staying true to our sustainability goals.

We’ve introduced Easydry eco towels, which can be disposed of in your general waste, recycling, or compost bin. They are 100% biodegradable and fully decompose within 12 weeks, eliminating any harm to the environment—no matter where they end up. Using Easydry towels also supports our B Corp values by reducing waste and promoting responsible recycling.”

“Start by evaluating your current sustainable practices—recognising your strengths and identifying areas for improvement. Sustainability planning and implementation should be a collaborative effort, actively involving your entire team. Develop a structured plan with immediate, intermediate, and long-term goals to drive meaningful progress. Set achievable sustainability targets, such as enhancing recycling efforts, reducing waste, eliminating plastic use, incorporating recycled products, and conserving energy by choosing renewable energy sources and eco-conscious suppliers. Prioritise natural and organic products while exploring innovative ways to minimise water and product waste. Regularly assess progress, refine your strategies, and adjust your targets to maximise impact. Most importantly, celebrate every achievement, no matter how small, and inspire your team by recognising their creativity and dedication to sustainability.”

Start with What Fits

Ger Robinson – Owner, Ger Robinson Hair Design

“Switching to Easydry towels was a big change for us. They’ve helped reduce our water and energy usage massively. That supports our sustainability goals and has brought real savings. Clients love the fresh, hygienic feel—and for the team, it’s made the day-to-day running of the salon smoother and more efficient.”

“Start small and build from there. Look at one area—like laundry or waste—and make a simple swap that fits into your routine. Something like Easydry is an easy win because it instantly cuts down your impact without compromising on quality or client care.”

Don’t Overdo It – Keep It Simple

Laraine Rose – Owner, Twelve Hair Design & We Love Purple Hearts Club Ambassador

“As a sustainable salon owner, the most rewarding thing is to be able to create beautiful hair without guilt to our planet.”

“If you are new to your salon’s sustainable journey, I always recommend just taking on one sustainable practice at a time—such as swapping to Easydry towels, recycling your hair, or being mindful of water use. When this becomes second nature, take on the next. If we try and do everything at once, it can become overwhelming and generally means we fail to maintain any.”

Shared Purpose – Salons Leading the Way– Building A Better Industry Together for Earth Month & Beyond

Anne Butterly – Founder and CEO, Easydry

“Easydry started with one idea—salons and clients deserved a better option. One that didn’t rely on endless laundry, that cut down water and energy use, and removed hidden microplastics from the process. That one swap—choosing a compostable towel—has now saved over 11.7 billion litres of water worldwide. It’s helped hundreds of salons make a real, measurable impact. We’re proud to be a certified B Corp, just like many of the incredible salons we work with. And we’re proud to be part of a growing movement that shows better business is possible—without compromise.”

 

 

 

Nature Needs to Be Part of the Conversation not just for Earth Month 

Anne Veck – Educator, Hair Artist and Sustainability Champion

We also wanted to include Anne Veck in this month’s Insiders Tips. Anne has been a proud Easydry advocate for years, and she’s the perfect fit for this series—not just because of her long-standing commitment to sustainability, but because she brings a perspective that’s often overlooked.

“We hear a lot about how to reduce carbon emissions, including tech-based solutions. But there’s still a gap in awareness when it comes to nature. Not everything that helps the climate is good for biodiversity—but almost everything that supports biodiversity also helps the climate.”

Anne’s message is sharp and clear: we need to think bigger. Yes, reducing energy use and waste matters. But we also need to protect ecosystems, support biodiversity, and hold suppliers accountable for their environmental impact.

Her advice is honest and actionable:

• Use suppliers with independent certifications—especially when it comes to products made from natural materials like towels. (Easydry is proudly FSC® certified, with full traceability.)
• Watch out for greenwashing—not all eco claims hold up.
• Avoid microfibre towels—they shed plastic into waterways.
• Ditch paper wherever you can—digital booking and accounting tools make this easy.
• Choose a verified green energy provider like Ecotricity, Good Energy or 100%Green.

Anne’s been leading by example for years, and her approach is all about practical, no-nonsense changes that salons of any size can make. If you’re ready to explore more ways to reduce your impact, the Anne’s sustainable salon toolkit, Salon Re:Source  is a great place to start. It’s simple, easy to use, and full of ideas you can put into practice straight away.

What Are These Salons Really Saying?

Start with one change
Talk to your team
Celebrate progress

Whether it’s switching to Easydry compostable towels, rethinking water use, cutting plastic, or choosing suppliers that support nature—not just lower emissions—these salons aren’t waiting to be perfect. They’re choosing what works, building on it, and sharing what they learn along the way.

This is how change takes hold—practical, honest, and consistent. And when it supports both people and the planet, it sticks.