Stevie English Hair: Big impacts for clients, lower impacts for the planet!

An interview with Mel Corthine, salon owner

Stevie English Hair, a salon in Glebe, has been a pioneer in sustainable salon practices for the past decade. They are a certified Sustainable Salons member and have implemented a range of comprehensive recycling systems and community-focused initiatives.

A Holistic Approach to Sustainability

Stevie English Hair began their sustainability journey over ten years ago, partnering with Sustainable Salons, an innovative recycling program operating throughout Australia and New Zealand. The partnership initially focused on sourcing 100% recycled aluminium foil products but quickly expanded into a comprehensive salon recycling system.

The salon now participates in fortnightly collections that properly process various waste streams including paper products, metal items, chemical waste, hair clippings, and soft plastics. This systematic approach ensures that virtually every aspect of salon waste is diverted from landfill and given new purpose through recycling or repurposing.

Sustainable thinking is at the core of their business thinking and incorporated in innovative ways into the salon’s operations. 

Innovative Waste Transformation

Stevie English hair understands that ‘waste’ can be transformed into valuable resources through innovative recycling processes. This commitment to circular economy principles ensures that salon materials find new life in surprising and beneficial ways. Some of the highlights of their innovative approach to recycling in the past year include:

694Kg of hair clippings repurposed - Cut hair is collected and repurposed into absorbent booms for oil spill cleanup as well as construction materials like bricks, demonstrating how a seemingly valueless waste product can become an environmental solution.

4,623kg of paper diverted from landfill - All paper packaging and containers as well as cardboard are collected to reduce waste going to landfill.

3,352kg of metals & foils diverted from landfill - All metal products including aerosol cans, empty metal tubes, and used foils are collected and recycled, reducing the need for virgin materials and the associated environmental impacts of mining.

2,311kg of plastics (including soft plastics) diverted from landfill - All plastic packaging and product containers as well as soft plastics are collected. Stylists even bring their own soft plastics from home to be recycled.

Water & Energy Conservation

Beyond waste management, Stevie English Hair has implemented significant measures to reduce their water and energy consumption, addressing two of the most resource-intensive aspects of salon operations.

Ecoheads showerheads - These innovative fixtures deliver double the water pressure while using 60% less water. Additionally, built-in filters purify the water, improving both environmental impact and hair care quality. This simple change has dramatically reduced the salon's water footprint.

Renewable energy plans - The salon is actively developing plans to install solar panels, moving away from their current reliance on gas water heating and standard electricity. This investment will significantly reduce their carbon footprint and long-term operational costs.

No single-use water bottles - The salon has eliminated bottled water service by installing a water filter system, preventing thousands of plastic bottles from entering the waste stream annually and encouraging more sustainable hydration habits among both stylists and clients.

These conservation efforts demonstrate how thoughtful operational changes can dramatically reduce resource consumption without compromising service quality.

Product Selection & Chemical Reduction

Stevie English Hair carefully curates their product selection to prioritise sustainable, Australian-made brands with lower chemical content. This commitment extends to their technical services, where they've embraced innovations in hair colour that reduce exposure to harsh chemicals.

Rather than washing chemicals down drains, the salon collects them in special buckets where they undergo processing to be converted back into water, preventing harmful substances from entering waterways.

Low-Chemical Colour Options - The salon offers ammonia-free colour options from O&M, making services more accessible for clients with sensitivities while reducing environmental impact.

Australian-Made Products - Retail products are sourced from Australian manufacturers including Davoe, O&M, and DunGud, supporting local economies and reducing transport emissions.

Conscious choices - The salon serves locally-sourced coffee and loose-leaf tea and sells brushes made from recycled coffee grounds. And the salon ensures stylists have the right information to choose a sustainable super fund and a better bank.

Community Engagement & Charitable Initiatives

Stevie English Hair's commitment to sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns to encompass social responsibility through various community initiatives and charitable partnerships.

Ponytail Project - The salon participates in a children's wig charity program, collecting donated hair to create wigs for children experiencing medical hair loss, collecting over 285,000 so far.

Eat.Shop.Chop annual event - Every year Sustainable Salons, in partnership with OzHarvest & Thread Together, hold a free event to allow people to explore the OzHarvest market, find new clothes and get a free haircut. Stevie English stylists volunteer their time to provide around 300 free haircuts to those in need every year.

Customers have responded positively to the salon's sustainable practices, valuing their community-focused and eco-friendly approach.

Stevie English Hair demonstrates that sustainability in the salon industry is not only possible but profitable and community-enhancing. Their decade-long commitment to championing environmental change demonstrates the leadership role that businesses of all sizes can take. Next time you are getting your hair cut consider whether your hairdresser is taking similar steps. Be curious and remember to support those businesses that are taking care of the environment and our community.