Sustainable Business Practices for Salons and Barbers: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Choices

According to Deloitte Global’s 2025 survey, 65 percent of Gen Zs and 63 percent of millennials are willing to pay more for eco-friendly, sustainable products and services. These consumers are going green by prioritizing purchases that reduce unnecessary waste and support nature and water conservation, PwC’s 2024 Voice of the Consumer Survey found. And they’re willing to put their money where their mouth is. PwC’s survey reported that consumers are willing to pay 9.7 percent more, despite increasingly high living costs.

Given the growing consumer support for eco-friendly and sustainable business practices, many clients are surprised to find them limited to high-end, luxury barbershops. Mid-range or budget barbers want to make environmentally friendly changes, but they struggle with barriers to entry, like high overhead costs. 

As younger and younger consumers enter the market, demand for sustainability efforts will keep growing. You may wonder: 

• If I’m already providing a quality service for a reasonable price, why does my barber shop’s sustainability matter? 
• Are eco-friendly barbering businesses just another fleeting trend? 
• How can I demonstrate my commitment to sustainability and please environmentally-conscious customers without breaking the bank?

The Hidden Environmental Cost of Barbering

Sustainability isn’t just a barbering trend. For many barbers, it’s a wakeup call. To see the big picture, let’s consider how clean cuts leave a dirty footprint on the hair industry. 

Many environmental issues from salons and barbershops come from improper disposal of waste like plastic, aerosol cans, and foil, along with potentially hazardous chemicals in mainstream grooming products, Rianne VanDervoort writes. In turn, this waste can wreak havoc on ecosystems and wildlife, pollute water and soil, and disrupt biodiversity, VanDervoort says. 

Hair dyes are another “root” source of environmental and health concerns. According to Earth Endeavours, production of hair dye chemicals like p-phenylenediamine (PPD) can release greenhouse gases. Disposing of and rinsing out conventional dyes can contaminate air and waterways with harmful ammonia and peroxide, as well, celebrity hairstylist Jorge Buccio notes in a Cleverman article. 

These same chemicals are also known to cause irritation and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, Earth Endeavours writes. That spells possible harm for not just the planet, but also yourself and the people you serve.

The Business Case for Sustainable Business Practices: Cost, Loyalty, and Reputation

We’ve discussed how grooming products and practices can affect the planet. But there are two other “P” words that can take an “L”: people and profits, explains Timely, a salon payment and booking system.

Environmentally friendly barbers attract environmentally-conscious customers, Timely writes. From a client acquisition perspective, investing in sustainable business practices entices folks who share your ecological concerns. And if your competition hasn’t hopped on the train yet, that’s a great way to stand out from the crowd. Over time, sustainable grooming just might earn you a reputation (and consumer loyalty) for being the barber who really cares.

Now, let’s talk profits. Think going green comes at the cost of your hard-earned cash? Think again. 

Implementing sustainable practices and initiatives can actually save you a lot of green, Timely says. Turning off lights in empty rooms and fixing leaky taps can cut costs, their article explains. Or, you can expand your income by selling chemical-free, natural products that are in high demand. 

These are big wins for the planet, your community, and your wallet.

5 Eco-friendly Business Practices for a Greener Barbershop

There are plenty of ways environmentally-conscious barbers can adopt sustainable business practices. Here are a few of our favorite eco-friendly tips.

1. Conserve energy and water.

Switch to LED light bulbs, motion-sensored lights, and water efficient shower heads to reduce water and energy use. Also, encourage employees to shut off lights in empty rooms, not leave water running unnecessarily, and report water leaks ASAP, Timely suggests. 

Furthermore, get routine plumbing checks and avoid partial washing machine loads. Consider detergents that use less water, the Timely article points out. Look for energy-efficient tools like hairdryers and clippers where possible, too, Barış Türkal writes for Barbersets.

Together, these little eco-friendly practices can reduce your bills and help the environment.

2. Cut waste, not just hair.

It’s not just water and power being wasted in barbershops and salons. Take a closer look at your actual trash, too.

Recycling Programs

Encourage employees and customers to recycle paper, plastic, glass, and metal, the Pirate Parlour encourages. According to the In the Chair blog, some places even offer razor blade and plastic glove recycling programs. 

Moreover, you can compost organic waste like hair clippings or offer them to chemical and oil spill cleanup initiatives. The planet (and your plumbing) will both thank you.

Going Paperless

Another avenue for cutting unnecessary waste is by going paperless, if you haven’t already. 

Digital receipts are becoming increasingly mainstream. While some customers still prefer paper receipts, your efforts to minimize paper use add up over time. Not to mention, digital booking and loyalty programs can significantly streamline these processes, In the Chair shares. Double win!

Eco-friendly Products

Products are another key opportunity for establishing yourself as an eco-friendly barbering business. 

Practice sustainability by using and stocking sustainable, cruelty-free beard and haircare products, like vegan hair dyes formulated without ammonia or parabens, Buccio writes for Cleverman. Or ditch the plastic with bar shampoos. Some barbers prefer reusable tools, as well, like biodegradable or recycled plastic combs and metal razors, the P2 Collective writes. 

Even cleaning products leave room for improvement. Instead of buying plastic bottle after bottle, look for tablet or cardboard refills that require less plastic packaging, like these from Clean Cult. And you can swap aluminum or plastic foil for sustainable alternatives like Paper Not Foil.

Refills

You can also help environmentally-conscious customers reduce waste by offering a refill program. If you sell shampoos and conditioners, for example, clients might get a discount for refilling an older bottle instead of buying a new one. 

3. Eco-Friendly Décor and Interiors That Inspire

Classy barbershops and stylish salon spaces shouldn’t cost us the earth.

Combine your sustainable business practices with your interior design flair by purchasing eco-friendly decor. For example, In the Chair recommends incorporating recycled or repurposed furniture, like vintage barber chairs or reclaimed wood, for a lighter carbon footprint. And if you want to boost your aesthetic even more, add some plants (nature’s air purifiers) and consider soliciting art from local artists who match your vibe.

4. Collaborate with your community.

As Jo Confino points out in The Guardian, barbers and hairdressers are already influential voices for environmental causes. Amplify that impact by showing up and being seen.

Türkal suggests finding local environmental events, sustainability efforts, eco-friendly brands, and business networks you can support and participate in. If you can partner with eco-friendly brands and sponsor events like fundraisers or community service, that’s great, too, he writes. 

Know a local soap maker who makes the best beard soap you’ve ever tried? Or who produces handmade brushes from eco-friendly materials? Consider selling these locally sourced products in your store. Alternatively, you can invite artisans to use your space after hours for occasional candle- or soap-making classes with natural ingredients. Teach new and aspiring hairstylists about using hair dye with minimal waste. You might even host workshops about composting, recycling, or sustainable grooming practices, as the Pirate Parlour recommends.

5. Incentivize your customers.

You can promote eco-friendly and sustainable business practices to clients until you’re red in the face. A lot of folks aren’t interested in your green services and commitment to sustainability unless it directly affects them.

So if you really want them to care and get involved, reward them.

For example, you might offer discounts for clients who get product bottles refilled or bring in old bottles for recycling, Türkal suggests. If customers ride a bike, walk, use public transportation, or carpool to reach your barbershop or salon, cheer them on with special promotions, In the Chair proposes.

Insurance Considerations for Eco-Conscious Barbering Businesses

You focus on a greener future. We focus on safeguarding the beauty professionals who are building it.

Protect your hair salon or barbershop’s wellbeing with WellnessPro. Click here to get barbershop insurance starting at $159 for a whole year.