When it comes to eco-friendly practices, the options are endless. It can be challenging to know how to do our part when there are many ways being “eco-conscious” is marketed.
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When it comes to eco-friendly practices, the options are endless. It can be challenging to know how to do our part when there are many ways being “eco-conscious” is marketed.
In my experience, it’s less about what to buy and more about what to do. In this article, I will highlight ways to become more eco-conscious and the products, equipment, services and tools that I use to support that practice.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Being aware of our impact on the environment isn’t just a trend; it’s necessary for us to keep in mind to support our earth in the future. For years, the beauty industry has been known for the waste that it creates: According to the Plastic Pollution Coalition, the global beauty industry produces more than 120 million units of packaging each year.
Luckily, there are small steps that we can take in order to reduce waste.
Related: 6 Ways to Green Your Spa, Big or Small
Reduce, reuse, recycle—an oldie but a goodie. We’ve all heard this motto, but let’s break it down further. There are many ways that spas can begin to reduce the number of materials that we use while maintaining strict sanitation practices.
Reduce
Wear reusable rubber gloves to clean the treatment room between each client. If five spa technicians see five clients per day, that’s five pairs of gloves per person, or 50 per day just for disinfecting. Rubber cleaning gloves can eliminate 350 gloves per week from ending up in the landfill for that one space, easy!
Try a tap water steamer, like the Digital Katana Facial Steamer, rather one that requires distilled water. This reduces the jugs of water needed for purchase, making things more economical and eco-friendly.
Purchase backbar sizing to reduce the number of bottles that end up in the landfill.
Related: 5 Certified B Corp Brands That Promote Spa Sustainability
Reuse
It may not always be possible to opt for reusable versus disposable, but it’s great to have in mind when it makes sense. Try using towels instead of esthetic wipes or sponges, as well as reusable headbands.
Note the difference between cleaning and disinfecting. When cleaning or dusting, a towel (specified for that use) is preferable to disposable wipes and paper towels. This can also support a more effective sanitation practice. Remember: Cleaning and then disinfecting is the name of the game.
Recycle
This is the last step in the model because we want to reuse and reduce before we get into recycling.
Unfortunately, not every type of plastic product packaging is recyclable plastic. Every city and state is different in what it will accept, so be sure to check with local guidelines to see what is recyclable in your area.
According to composting company Scraps, which is based in Denver, when organic materials go to the landfill, they never break down or return to the soil; they are buried there forever, entombed, and provide no benefit. Landfills are a major source of pollution, including methane.
Composting, on the other hand, is becoming more readily available to businesses, small and large, especially in cities. Making compost instead of filling landfills helps combat pollution. When added to soil, finished compost helps filter up to 95% of pollutants from our stormwater runoff.
Compostable vs. Biodegradable
According to Ocean Watch Australia, compostable materials are made by organic elements or plants that degrade within time. Compostable products produce humus, which is one of the richest and most important parts of soil. The high level of microbial activity in humus assists plants in boosting their immune systems. Compostable products do not produce any toxic element to the environment after degradation.
Biodegradable is largely used in plastics, which break down into microplastics faster than regular plastics. Compared with the composting process, biodegradable products can take several months to break down and some leave a toxic waste behind.
What can be composted? All organic materials, for example:
- Wooden spatulas
- Cotton rounds
- Cotton swabs
- Cotton esthetic wipes
- Paper towels
- Herbs and tea
- Food products
- Pure sugar wax with hair
Please note that only pure sugar wax is compostable. Resins, an ingredient in many sugars/waxes, are not compostable.
If composting is not available in your area, utilizing the above products versus a plastic alternative is a great way to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in our oceans and landfills. Compostable products are great because they do not leave behind any microplastics and can be put into a compost bin or organics recycling bin.
Note: all compostable items are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable products are compostable.
Product Packaging and Waste
When it comes to product packaging, seek out brands that offer glass versus plastic. This can be very challenging, because of shipping and breaking of packaging. Recycled plastic is preferred over new, and hopefully it will be attainable for us to move into plant-based plastics in the future.
A great way to reduce consumption and save more money in your spa is by buying only what is needed and not allowing products to waste away on the shelf.
While it may take a little extra effort on your part to reduce the amount of waste that is being produced in the spa, you can feel good in knowing that you are doing your part in supporting our environment for the future.
Ashley Deckard, LE, has been a licensed esthetician since 2013, specializing in holistic skin care. Based in Denver, she is assistant director of education for Color Up and owner of A.D. Esthetics.
