MENU
SEARCHPhotography by Erica ConnorsWhen Karie Bennett, owner of Atelier Salon and Spa in San Jose, California, sent us this fun image and a question about how to recycle mannequin heads, we invited Ken Angermeier, Pivot Point International's vice ...
When Karie Bennett, owner of Atelier Salon and Spa in San Jose, California, sent us this fun image and a question about how to recycle mannequin heads, we invited Ken Angermeier,Pivot Point International's vice president of global marketing and customer support, to provide an expert response:
Dear SALON TODAY,
As our salon approaches our seventh year anniversary, I was doing a "head count," looking at which mannequin heads can be recycled for next year's training classes. Some of them have snap-on hair so we can reuse the head part, but what ideas do you have to minimize doll heads in the landfills?
Karie Bennett
Atelier Salon and Spa
San Jose, California
Dear Karie,
That's a great question! Being socially conscious of how we take care of our planet is the right attitude to have these days. A growing number of environmental research studies show that our collective actions will have positive outcomes in sustaining our health, right down to the very air we breathe. In our line of work, there are a number of interesting ways to conserve or recycle what we use for the benefit of others, our planet and ourselves.
Here are just a few ways to provide great second-hand use to mannequin heads you might normally discard:
Donate the heads to your local police department or military base and suggest that they use them for target practice.
Use the heads for students to practice makeup application. If your salon doesn't support carry a makeup line, you can always donate them to a local school that has makeup curriculum.
Offer the heads to local retail stores for hat and jewelry display.
Practice shaving the short-haired head of a mannequin before shaving the head on a real person.
Check to see if high schools or special ward schools offer trade programs including cosmetology and donate the heads to these schools.
Pivot Point International is spearheading the green movement in cosmetology by introducing the Snap Cap. The Snap Cap is a revolutionary reusable, recyclable headform invented for perfecting cutting, coloring, texture or finishing techniques. The internationally patented Snap Cap saves space and gives you the highest quality hair without waste of traditional mannequins. Caps are available in a complete range of color levels, lengths and textures. This amazing product allows schools and salons to use the same headforms over and over again without having to worry what to do with their used heads. Click here to learn more.
Another bonus to using Pivot Point's Snap Caps? Its headform is made out of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). ABS is a recyclable material that can be ground down. A portion of the ground material can be reprocessed with fresh or virgin pellets of the same grade to produce new ABS headforms.
Thoughts on recycling hair:
Donate cut hair to Matter of Trust, a nonprofit organization that creates mats made out of hair clippings to be used to soak up oil spills found in our environment. They are especially interested in receiving hair from salons and schools, and their website provides teachers with a demonstrative video on how to collect and send the hair to this innovative organization. Click here to learn more.
If the cut hair is at least 10 inches from tip to tip, and in a ponytail or braid, the hair can be donated to Locks of Love, another nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to children suffering from long-term hair loss from any diagnosis. Click here to learn more.
Got your own salon or spa management question? We'll work on getting you a great answer! Click here to send a question.
Discover how to create a true “WOW experience” for every client by first building a culture where your team feels engaged, empowered, and inspired. Drawing on Calvin Stovall’s Iconic Framework, this blog explores how salon, spa, and clinic leaders can strengthen culture, elevate customer experience, and build a business that stands out for the long term.
Sponsored by Phorest Salon Software
The wellness industry is growing fast, and salons and barbershops already are an important part of it. In her first blog, Tracy Rado shares where the wellness dollars are heading, and how salon's can grow with this movement.
While salon sales are increasing, owners often feel they're working harder for the same or less profit. Leverage Q2 data from The KIM Report, Alain Audet reveals some of the structural changes that are dampening your growth and why your region and your salon size matters.
Weaknesses in your business are amplified during the Holiday Season. Spark Pro Global's Lucy Randall shows you five things to do now to have the strongest holiday season yet.
In Kati Whitledge's latest blog, she shares how salons have moved away from dress codes and embraced appearance standards. But by removing strict dress codes, some businesses may have unintentionally lowered their appearance standards. Whitledge helps you explain to your team why an appearance standard is important and how to smoothly implement a new appearance policy.
The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit for for-profit businesses that provides a financial incentive for eligible employers who offer health insurance coverage to their employees. Leticia Skrabut, Esq., walks you through how to claim that credit.
Developing strong work habits early in one's career supports long-term success in the salon industry. Jesse Linares offers new stylists his top five tips.
Most salon owners have no idea what these numbers are. You can hit record sales and still have a profit problem. The difference comes down to four numbers almost nobody was taught to track.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
A five-area audit every owner-dependent salon needs to run. You built something that looks successful. Now find out if it can survive without you.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
Every month you put off fixing the problem, it gets bigger, more expensive, and harder to solve.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
At Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair and Beauty, Director of Operations Natasha McMillen helps bring her wife Janet St. Paul's vision to life, elevating every system from education to operations.
Expand your color service menu with the Pinstripe technique. Brooks and Brooks' Marlon Hawkins walks you through the technique.
The strongest salons, spas, and med spas know which numbers tell the real story of their business. In this practical guide, Phorest breaks down the five essential KPIs every business should track to improve retention, boost revenue, and make smarter decisions with confidence.
Sponsored by Phorest
At Bella Style Salon in Slidell, Louisiana, Director of Operations Angela Meyer tackles inventory, team management, and guest relations. Read all about her in our latest Meet the Manager.
Starting at Impressions front desk in 2006 when he was 19 years old, General Manager Paul Petrowsky is a seasoned professional who owner Sarah Taylor says is responsible for much of her own success.
Planning is in full swing for the most anticipated events and promotions for the 2026 holidays. As owners share their favorite ways to celebrate, they prove that a carefully planned event can also build culture, increase client loyalty, boost sales, and set a business up for a successful 2027.
When things run amok at Mane Attraction Salon, Owners Chris and Jenny Knudsen say General Manager Sami Hernandez is their go-to resource and ultimate sounding board. Meet Sami in this installment of Meet the Manager.
