Creative HEAD UK Christmas 2020

THE BIG IDEA
SALON
RE:SOURCE
‘BUSINESS AS USUAL is not an option’. So begins the introduction to Salon
Re:Source, a sustainable salon toolkit created by Anne Veck and Keith Mellen
(pictured above), the duo at the helm of the award-winning Anne Veck salon in
Oxford. They believe fervently that the hairdressing industry has the power to make
a real difference. “Salons use huge amounts of energy, water, plastic and chemicals, and
produce large amounts of waste,” they explain. At the Oxford salon, the team has been
working hard for some time to reduce energy usage, lowering the salon’s and their clients’
carbon footprints, reducing waste through more efficient systems and using ethical and
sustainable products and packaging where possible. It has been a concerted effort, and now
the pair wants to share what they’ve learnt with UK salons to encourage them to do the same.
A study by Southampton University Business School showed that if a small, four-seater
salon adopted its eco hair and beauty suggestions it would save 24,150kWh of energy,
286,000 litres of water and more than £5,300 a year in cost savings. At Anne Veck Oxford,
the team has cut its carbon emissions and energy costs in half, saving £3,000 every
year since 2012. That’s £24,000! The toolkit is broken down into three sections: easy,
low-cost, quick wins; steps that require a little more effort and cost; and major
changes that require bigger investments. For immediate, maximum, positive,
world-changing action, there’s a trio of top tips: change from cotton
to biodegradable towels and gowns; switch to a green energy
provider; and move to sustainable and ethical product
suppliers. You can access the toolkit at
bit.ly/SalonReSourceUK and start going a
little greener.
Photography by Magic Owen @magicowenphotography
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CREATIVE HEAD