Thinking and acting sustainably is now a crucial part of any business
It’s something we know a thing or two about. From donating cut hair to charities and organisations using it to help clean the oceans, to making the most of resources that would otherwise be discarded, we’ve made a name for ourselves by acting sustainably.
What began as a resource recovery program, has become a way of doing business that’s inspiring leaders across industries to up their game, and walk the talk.
Not just in line with their values and in step with their communities, but seamlessly in rhythm with the day-to-day running of their business.
A proud profit-for-purpose organisation
We’re on a mission to make sustainable business, business as usual. While others were busy talking about it, we got busy pioneering an easy-to-use resource recovery program for the feel-good industry. One that makes a real measurable impact – diverting up to 95% of salon materials from landfill, and re-purposing it to help the planet and people, while enabling local businesses to thrive.
Our purpose is to get people, planet and profit working for each other. Traditionally there’s been a tension between the needs and motivations of corporates, people and planet. While things are now shifting, we’re here to help accelerate the shift with practical systems and tools that make real impact for all.
2005: Meeting in Amsterdam
Sustainable Salons Co-founders Paul Frasca, a hairdresser and Ewelina Soroko, a passionate environmentalist, met in Amsterdam
2010: Trip around Australia
Paul and Ewelina came up with the concept for Sustainable Salons while on a very long drive around Australia – which took 4 months and $7000 in petrol! Paul & Ewelina created a plan to study the waste bins of 160 salons and it was discovered that Australian hairdressers send one million kilos of aluminium foils to landfill every year.
2010: Make foil waste history
This research was the catalyst to start Refoil, the industry's first sustainably-minded foiling concept and recycled foil product, right from Paul’s dad's garage! But their commitment to making salon waste history was only just beginning…
2015: Sustainable Salons launched in NSW
Sustainable Salons, an innovative resource recovery program was launched. Designed especially for the salon environment, we collect up to 95% of the salon’s bin and repurpose it for environmental and community benefit while rewarding the salon.
2015: Turning waste into meals
Since 2015, we have been turning waste into food, donating 100% of our proceeds from recycling salon materials to OzHarvest & KiwiHarvest. These proceeds help divert tonnes of food waste from landfill and feed the hungry. So far, we've donated over 255,840 meals and counting!
2017: Sustainable Salons grew to new areas
By 2017, Sustainable Salons had reached metropolitan VIC, QLD & SA, with WA joining in 2018!
2017: The Hairy Research began
In 2017, we started working with University of Technology Sydney on the Hair Boom Project. The research found that 1kg of hair can remove 840g of spilled oil from seawater. We continued our research into hair and how it can be used for compost, solar, and more…
2018: Sustainable Salons goes international
In 2018, we went international, expanding our program to New Zealand, with major hubs Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch all serviceable by our program.
2018: Harper's Bazaar Woman of the Year
In December 2018, Ewelina was chosen to be one of eight women featured in the Harper’s Bazaar Woman of the Year Collection, highlighting women who have placed themselves on the frontline of environmental defence.
2019: Building a circular economy
We partnered with Dresden Vision to create the world’s first glasses made from plastic shampoo bottles collected from our Australian and New Zealand members. We have continued to work with local manufacturers to make a range of circular products in Australia, including coasters, pet leashes, combs, and more products from Sustainable Salons plastics!
2019: Largest collector of ponytails
Our ponytail donation program took off, and we now donate the most ponytails to charities & independent wigmakers to be made into charitable wigs.
2020: #1 Salon Directory Service
We are focused on bringing more and more consumers to the green side with our Salon Directory. Many conscious consumers visit our directory each month, we're bringing new clients through our members' doors.
2020: Sustainable Salons expanded to regional Australia
In 2020, we started expanding our program to reach regional & remote areas of Australia, starting with regional NSW (even Broken Hill!) In 2022, we now service salons from Cairns down to Tasmania and across to remote WA!
2021: Hair booms to the rescue
On July 30th, 2021, a tanker rolled on the Great Northern Highway in remote Western Australia, spilling 28,000L of used oil into the environment. This oil spill reached Kirkalocka Station, and we shipped 1,000 Hair Booms to soak up that oil.
2021: Believe in ability
We now work with six depots across Australia and New Zealand, with over 50% of our workforce made up of supported employees (people with disabilities). We work with organisations that are ‘for purpose’ and dedicated to helping people with disabilities live fulfilling lives.
2021: Going digital
With the catalyst of COVID-19, we are on a mission to transform into a digital-first customer-centric organisation. One of our projects was the launch of the Sustainable Salons app for our on-demand service. As our team grows, we are continuing to find new innovative ways to #makesustainabilityreality.
2021: Sustainable Salons made it to Middle Earth
In 2022, we expanded our program to regional New Zealand, now servicing salons across the entire country.
2023: Brand refresh
Our goal has always been to work in rhythm with our members and their customers - to create a better, more sustainable future together. This was the guiding principle behind our brand refresh in 2023. The refresh reflects our values and mission, emphasising the importance of people, planet and profit.
Our commitment to philanthropy
By giving valuable materials a second life, we’re able to create impact beyond the planet — helping to support organisations that rescue food, feed communities, and care for people in need.
At Sustainable Salons, we believe waste should never go to waste. That’s why our commitment to philanthropy is built into the very heart of our model: we donate all proceeds from the sale of recyclables to OzHarvest in Australia and KiwiHarvest in New Zealand. We’ve chosen OzHarvest and KiwiHarvest because they’re local to Australia and New Zealand, and their mission is aligned with ours – reducing food waste.
This approach means every bin (or bag!) of recycling does more than reduce landfill. It helps create a positive ripple effect for both people and planet, turning everyday salon waste into meaningful social impact. For us, sustainability is not just about environmental responsibility — it’s about building a more connected, compassionate future by supporting local charities and the communities they serve.
