A commitment to the environment is one of the noblest endeavors a salon or spa owner can embrace, but it also is a wise business decision. To assess the greeness of our applicants, we invited owners to state their best case to a local environmental action group, outlining their eco-friendly practices and policies. Extra credit was awarded to salons that took the extra step to help educate staff, clients and the community about sustainable choices. 

AVALON SALON AND DAY SPA
Deer Park, IL
avalondeerpark.com
Bonnie and August Conte, Shyla and Richard Kurnick
SQUARE FEET: 5200     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 52
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $65
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Demandforce, SpaBoom  
ASSOCIATIONS:  CC, The Day Spa Association, PBA  
“We purchased over-sized stainless steel trash drums from IKEA, then laminated large green recycle-only signs on the lids. These are kept in our dispensary, break room and in the common areas for guests to use—a constant reminder to staff and customers to ‘think before they throw away.’”

AVEDA INSTITUTE DENVER
Denver, CO
aveda.edu/denver
Dale Lemonds
SQUARE FEET: 19,000   
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 50
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $15
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda  
COLOR: Aveda  
TECH SUPPORT: SpaBiz, Demandforce, Constant Contact
ASSOCIATIONS: NCA, PBA, AACS, NAACAS
“We incorporated green materials in our build-in and design, including: cork and bamboo flooring, detailing and framework created with re-used wood pallets, low VOC paint, carpet from recycled tires energy-efficient lighting and low-flow plumbing for sinks.”

AVEDA INSTITUE TUCSON
Tucson, AZ
aveda.edu/tucson
Dale Lemonds
SQUARE FEET: 4000     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 20
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $15
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda  
COLOR: Aveda  
TECH SUPPORT: SpaBiz, Demandforce, Constant Contact
ASSOCIATIONS: NCA, PBA, AACS, NAACAS
“The unique features of our physical space allow us to begin the conversation about sustainability with guests. Some of our green building features include: cork flooring; sunflower hull cabinetry; pallet mirror frames; climate-control system; organic hemp curtains; and carpet tiles made from post-consumer recycled tires.”

GERVAIS SALON & DAY SPA
Eugene, OR
gervaiseugene.com
Sharah Madrone
SQUARE FEET: 4300     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 49
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $45
BEST-SELLING RETAIL:   
COLOR: Aveda  
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce  
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA  
“We are transitioning to live plants and no more cut flowers which are highly fertilized and sprayed with pesticides.”

IMPRESSIONS
Mequon, WI
impressionsdayspa.com
Kitty Tierney
SQUARE FEET: 4800     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 46
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $42
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Purelogy, Redken, Aveda
COLOR: Redken, Goldwell
TECH SUPPORT: Mikal, Demandforce  
ASSOCIATIONS: America's Beauty Network, CC, NCA, PBA  
“We offer more educational dollars to our staff as an incentive if they sign up for wind power. Personally, I am getting 42 percent of my energy from landfill gas, 1 percent from solar and 57 percent from wind power.”

MANGO SALON
Richmond, VA
mangosalon.com
Patrick and Roberta Heaney
SQUARE FEET: 4000, 2000    
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 100
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $79
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda,  Bumble and Bumble
COLOR: Aveda  
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Constant Contact  
ASSOCIATIONS:  PBA  
“Eliminating the use of disposable gloves has helped us do our part by keeping plastic out of landfills. Our designers took the initiative to stop the purchase of disposable gloves by purchasing their own reusable gloves.”

N STYLE SALON
Saugus, CA
nstylesalon.com
Clay and Tiffany Friedman
SQUARE FEET: 2000     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 24
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $50
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: L’Oreal, Kenra
COLOR: L’Oreal
TECH SUPPORT: STX  
ASSOCIATIONS: Intercoiffure, PBA, L’Oreal Black Elite Salons
“An instant hot water delivery system for all sinks and shampoo bowls helps the salon conserve water and cuts energy usage.”

PHIA SALON
Columbus, OH
phiasalon.com
Elizabeth and Mike Bella
SQUARE FEET: 1230     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 35
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $47
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Demandforce
 “2013 saw our relocation to a new storefront and in the move we were able to make some sustainable choices that had not been possible in our previous space. The back bar is a repurposed slab of white oak; UV and heat-reducing blinds reduce the need for excessive climate control and our flooring is made from recycled vinyl tiles.”

SERENITY COUTURE AVEDA LIFESTYLE SALON SPA
West Des Moines, IA
serenitycouture.com
Doug and Jana Van Polen
SQUARE FEET: 4800, 2200, 1900   
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 90
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $125
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda  
COLOR: Aveda  
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Demandforce  
ASSOCIATIONS:
“We have designed an eco-pedicure. Instead of the large basins of water being used daily, our pedicures are performed on massage tables and the feet are wrapped in a series of steamed towels.”

THE CIRCLE SALON
Chicago, IL
thecirclesalon.com
Jamie Bushman
SQUARE FEET: 12     
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 12
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $80
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Davines, Eufora
COLOR: Davines  
TECH SUPPORT: Millenium, Mail Chimp  
ASSOCIATIONS:  CC, PBA  
“Our goal when we opened in 2009 was to be considered ‘Zero Impact’ and we finally were able to achieve that title last year through our operating systems and our partnership with Green Circle Salons and Terra Pass.”

ADDITIONAL HONOREES*
Artbeat Salon, Berkley, CA
Avant Salon, Austin, TX
Bii Hair Salon, West Dundee, IL
Changes Hair Studio & Spa, Kamloops, BC
N Style Salon, Saugus, CA
Nurtur the Salon, Columbus, OH
Salon Soca, Chicago, IL
Taj Salon & Spa, Brooklyn Park, MN

*Additional honorees have accrued more than one honor in the the 2015 Salon Today 200 and their salon is profiled in another category.