Hair & Nail Salons: A Materiality Assessment Example

Discover how hair and nail salons can enhance client experiences while reducing their environmental footprint. Take our free assessment here.

Understanding These Sample Results
This example reflects typical priorities for hair and nail salons, but your unique salon, location, or client base may influence your sustainability plan. For customised recommendations that fit your salon’s size, services, and objectives, take our quick materiality assessment quiz. You’ll receive a tailored action plan designed to help you reduce environmental impact, improve client satisfaction, and strengthen your brand’s reputation as a responsible business.


How We Identify Key Impact Areas
Our assessment tool evaluates seven salon-specific sustainability pillars:

  • Products & Sourcing
  • Energy & Climate
  • Employee Wellbeing
  • Operational Waste
  • Water Usage
  • Chemicals & Pollution
  • Governance

View the sample report below to explore them all in detail.
Using double materiality principles, we analyse both how sustainability issues affect your salon’s profitability and reputation (such as client preferences for eco-friendly services or regulatory compliance) and how your operations impact the environment and community (like reducing chemicals in wastewater or diverting waste from landfill).


Your Custom Sustainability Roadmap
This sample roadmap focuses on high-impact, achievable steps, starting strong with 3 quick wins:

  • Clean Up Your Beauty Routine – Switch to organic, cruelty-free, and low impact packaged products.
  • Embrace Reuse Over Disposables – Replace single-use items with reusable alternatives for supplies such as table covers, applicators, and instruments.
  • Keep Your Wastewater Clean – Install separation filters and use safer products to reduce chemicals in your wastewater.

Build Momentum: Targeted Strategies
Each priority area includes expert-backed solutions like:

  • Recycling and repurposing waste—implement comprehensive waste segregation to divert and recycle hair clippings, foils, colour tubes, and plastics.
  • Upgrading air quality—choose low-VOC products and improve ventilation to create a healthier environment for staff and clients.
  • Powering your salon with clean energy—switch to renewable energy sources and upgrade to energy-efficient lighting.
  • Reducing water usage—install water-saving fixtures and encourage mindful water use during treatments.

Track & Share Progress Effectively
We emphasise transparent reporting frameworks and industry certifications to help you:

  • Communicate your sustainability wins to clients, staff, and partners
  • Monitor progress with regular data collection and impact tracking
  • Achieve recognised certifications that validate your efforts and attract conscious clients

Ready to move beyond generic advice? Take our free assessment to receive a roadmap addressing your beauty business’ unique challenges.

Sample Report

We've estimated your sustainability priorities based on your answers. For a precise evaluation, it would be best to speak to an expert.

Key Focus Areas
infoHere's a breakdown of which sustainability areas matter most to your business, based on their effect on society and the environment.


Start Here

There's a lot to consider, but to maximise your efforts here are 3 high impact actions to start with.

Products & Sourcing

Clean Up Your Beauty Routine

Switch to organic, cruelty-free, natural products with sustainable packaging and avoid nasty ingredients like microplastics and unsustainably sourced palm oil. Choosing your beauty products responsibly, whether for your use or for resale, attracts conscious consumers and leaves them feeling naturally beautiful.

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Operational Waste

Embrace Reuse Over Disposables

Switch to reusable alternatives for common supplies such as table covers, applicators and instruments. You'll reduce waste, save money in the long run, and show clients your commitment to sustainability.

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Chemicals & Pollution

Keep Your Wastewater Clean

Install separation systems and filters, use safer products and proper disposal to reduce chemicals in your wastewater. You'll protect local water systems, comply with regulations, and maybe even save on water treatment costs.

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