Sustainable Salons: Nuovo Skin and Health’s Commitment to a Greener Future

In an ever-changing world, a driving force pushes us to be more responsible – for ourselves and our planet. At Nuovo Skin and Health, we’ve taken this responsibility to heart.

We’re honoured to have been align with profit-for-purpose organisation, Sustainable Salons. This forward-thinking initiative aims to shift the paradigm, making sustainable business the new normal.

Let’s face it. The first word that comes to mind when you think of the professional beauty or hair industry isn’t sustainable, right? All of that material required to perform services has to go somewhere! While the beauty, hair, and wellness sectors buzzed with sustainability discussions, Sustainable Salons championed an actionable change.

You might wonder, why the urgency? The revelation that Australian salons contributed a staggering one million kilograms of waste to landfills annually was a wake-up call. As part of our commitment, we ensured that 95% of our materials avoid the landfill trap.

Our mission doesn’t stop there. At Nuovo Skin and Health, we’ve taken a pledge: less than 10% of daily clinic waste. This is made possible through a meticulous selection of recyclable products and consumables. We’re picky about our partners, too. The brands we collaborate with resonate with our ethos, sharing our collective passion for sustainability and minimising our ecological footprint.

Our partnership with Sustainable Salons is more than just eco-responsibility. It’s about community empowerment. Every time you schedule an appointment with us, your service will include a $3 Green Fee. This contribution propels a beacon of change, ensuring clinic waste is not just dumped but upcycled. Chemical waste? Neutralised and converted into recycled water. Plastics? They find a new life as outdoor furniture or part of collaborations with local manufacturers, morphing them into a myriad of products like coasters, pet leashes, combs, sunglasses, and so much more.

Our sustainability initiatives cast a wide net. With the support of our Sustainable Salons partners, aluminium, foil, tubes, magazines, razor blades, and specific disposables, just to name a few, are sold for recycling. The proceeds made from our consumables are donated directly to OzHarvest and KiwiHarvest, translating to meals for those in need.

For our hair salon and pet grooming business pals, their customer’s hair or fur can be converted into hair booms, aiding in cleaning up oil spills. Even the chemicals from the likes of hair dye and bleach are rechannelled into manufacturing, steering clear from our precious waterways.

In 2017, a ground-breaking collaboration between Sustainable Salons and the University of Technology Sydney bore fruit to the Hair Boom Project. The research unearthed a fascinating fact: 1kg of hair can extract a whopping 840g of spilled oil from seawater. This knowledge got put to work in 2021 when an unfortunate oil spill provided the real test. With 28,000L of used oil threatening the ecosystem in Western Australia, Sustainable Salons swiftly acted. Leveraging their research, over 1,200 kilograms of hair clippings from Sustainable Salons members were transformed into 1,000 Hair Booms, offering a tangible solution to a pressing environmental crisis.

Sustainable Salons’ mission is two-fold. Not only do they aim to protect the planet, but they also empower communities. Sustainable Salons collaborates with six depots spanning Australia and New Zealand and over 50% of their workforce comprises supported employees – those with disabilities. We’re proud to partner with purpose-driven organisations, ensuring everyone, regardless of their abilities, leads a fulfilling life.

By supporting us, you are part of a monumental change. As a collective, registered Sustainable Salons have achieved:

• 1,746,912kg of resources diverted from landfill
• 276,340 donated meals, made possible by OzHarvest and KiwiHarvest
• 44,489 bookings by eco-conscious individuals seeking a sustainable salon experience

As a united front of sustainable salons, we’ve dramatically reduced the industry’s waste output, approaching a 95% reduction. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

At Nuovo Skin and Health, we believe in beauty with a purpose, and that’s why we’re thrilled to launch our newest initiative in our green mission with our Buy Back Scheme! When you return any of your empty skincare products to us, we will give you $2 back towards your next retail purchase (see our T&Cs) 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts because, with every appointment, you’re enhancing your appearance and wellness and making the world a bit greener and kinder. Together, let’s make beauty sustainable and responsible.