Winning the Platinum Award for Green Salon
I was at the awards at Sea Containers on the South Bank at the Salon Business Awards when it was announced, and my first thought was that I almost couldn’t believe it.
I was so shocked I tried to run off stage a few times before actually having my photo taken.
The salons we were finalists alongside are incredible. These are spaces I’ve followed, respected and learned from over the years, so to hear our name called felt surreal.
It was a real moment of pride to be recognised for what I, alongside the hairdressers at Rebel Rebel, have created.
What the green salon award recognises
This award isn’t about adding a few eco-friendly products or making surface-level changes.
For me, it represents something much bigger. It’s recognition that sustainability can be built into how a salon runs.
In our industry, sustainability is often seen as expensive or complicated, something separate from the day-to-day running of the business. That perception stops a lot of people from even starting.
At Rebel Rebel, it was considered from the beginning and built into the way the salon operates. The systems, the suppliers and the everyday decisions all reflect that.
That’s what makes this recognition feel important. It shows that this way of working is not only possible, but that it works.
The reality of sustainability in a salon
There’s a perception that sustainability is expensive, and that’s often the reason people don’t explore it properly, and truth is, it can be.
Some of the choices we’ve made do cost more, and I think it’s important to be honest about that. Sustainability isn’t always the cheaper option.
We are a coworking hair salon, and our hairdressers pay a small Green Fee each week to help cover these costs. We always recommend building this into their pricing by charging clients a small Green Fee per service, usually around 50p to £1.
It means sustainability isn’t carried by the business alone. Clients become part of it too, and there’s a shared responsibility rather than it feeling like a hidden cost.
When it’s structured this way, sustainability becomes part of how the business works.
Over time, some areas even become more efficient and cost-effective through reduced waste and more intentional use of products.
The issue is, many salons don’t get to this point because sustainability is seen as something too expensive to start, rather than something that can be built into the way they run their business.
How to be more sustainable as a hairdresser
If you’re a freelance hairdresser or running your own space, sustainability doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
It also doesn’t need to happen all at once.
Start by looking at what you’re already doing and where waste is happening day to day.
That might be over-mixing colour, throwing away unused product, or relying on single-use systems without really questioning them.
From there, small changes make a big difference.
Look at refillable options where you can. For example, we use the YUV Colour Lab, which removes the need for single-use tubes and packaging.
Recycling is another simple place to start. Schemes like the Green Salon Collective make it possible to recycle things like foil, colour waste and empty tubes, which would otherwise go straight to landfill.
Pay attention to how much product you’re using. Be more intentional with what you’re ordering and how often you’re replacing things.
If cost is what’s holding you back, be honest about that and build it into your pricing. Charging a small Green Fee per service allows you to make better choices without it impacting your business.
It also brings clients into it. When they’re contributing, even in a small way, it creates a shared responsibility rather than it all sitting with you.
Most importantly, don’t wait until you feel like you’ve got everything figured out.
Sustainability in hairdressing is still evolving. The more people who take it seriously and start making changes, the easier it becomes for everyone.