Looking for ways to go green in your salon in the new year? Here are 10 tips from Aveda Fredric’s Institute in Cincinnati and Indianapolis.

  1. Replace incandescent lamps with energy smart compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) to help save annual energy costs.
  2. Install programmable thermostats. This automatic adjustment of the temperature in your salon will save energy and money.
  3. Eliminate junk mail. 62 million trees and 28 billion gallons of water were used to produce U.S. mail for just one year. Fifty percent of all U.S. mail is discarded unopened. Contact the Direct Marketing Association to be removed from many companies mass marketing mailing lists for up to five years. Visit www.dmachoice.org/consumerassistance.html. (source: globalstewards.org)
  4. Fix it! Next time you have equipment break down, get it fixed instead of replacing it.
  5. Biodegradable trash bags degrade in as few as 10 days as opposed to regular plastic bags that take eons to decompose. (source: idealbite.com)
  6. Unplug appliances or chargers after use. Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power even when they are plugged in and switched off. (source: coned.com)
  7. Recycle all paper products and ink cartridges.
  8. Check your dryer’s outside vent. Make sure it’s clean and closes properly, or it could allow cold air into your salon.
  9. Send e-cards. Most greeting cards are not made from sustainable paper. If you are going to send a card, buy recycled and veggie inks.
  10. Buy Energy Star. The next time you purchase a new appliance, buy ones with the Energy Star label. Americans saved enough energy alone in 2006 to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million cars, all while saving $14 billion on their utility bills. (source: energystar.gov).

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