Meet Hayley, our hair colour lover & sorting star!

Hayley is a supported employee at our Sydney depot, and from the moment she started, she’s brought curiosity, warmth and a lovely sense of humour to the team.

When asked if she’d worked anywhere else before joining the team, Hayley’s answer was simple: “No, I haven’t. This is my first job.” And when asked how she’s liking her time here? “I really like it here.”

For Hayley, stepping into depot life was a whole new experience. Seeing the warehouse for the first time, she remembers thinking it was a big space with lots going on — which, to be fair, is a pretty accurate description of a Sustainable Salons depot. Before this role, she imagined she might end up working in retail, earning some money and building up her savings. Instead, she found herself in a job she hadn’t really known existed.

In fact, one of the things that surprised her most about starting at Sustainable Salons was exactly that: that there’s a job like this at all.

Worker sorting hair donations in a recycling facility.

Hayley’s first day

On her first day, she was already sorting hair, link bags and cardboard, jumping into the rhythm of the depot right away. When asked what made her feel supported, she said the team was “very welcoming.”

At Sustainable Salons, so much of the impact we create comes down to people — people who show up, sort carefully, work together and bring care to the everyday tasks that keep our recycling program moving. Hayley is one of those people.

When it comes to the work itself, Hayley says her favourite tasks are sorting hair and foils. And if you ask why she likes working with hair, the answer is very Hayley: she loves seeing all the different types and colours that come through, and sometimes it even inspires her own next look.

After already trying blue in her hair, she shared that she might go “half and half” next time — with pink and black as the colours of choice. Naturally, that led to a quick Harley Quinn comparison, which Hayley was very on board with.

And while Hayley is humble, there’s also a quiet pride in the role she plays. When asked what makes her feel proud at work, she reflected on the bigger purpose behind the job — especially the idea that the hair she sorts can go on to be used for compost.

Impact with purpose

That connection matters. At Sustainable Salons, every material has a story beyond the bin, and every person involved in sorting it helps make that next chapter possible. Hayley may not shout about her impact, but it’s there in the care she brings to the work every day.

Outside of work, Hayley is just as relatable as she is at the depot. She enjoys playing Roblox, going out for walks and, as she put it, “doom scrolling on TikTok for like over 12 hours.” She also shared that she loves exploring the city — getting out, visiting places and seeing what’s around her.