For forward-thinking salons and spas, initiating green practices isn't solely guided by conscience--it's also a smart business strategy. We invited applicants in theis category to state their best green case to a local environmental action group, outlining all their green practices. Bonus points were awarded to salons that took the extra step to help educate staff, clients and the community about sustainable choices.

The Aveda Institute Tucson
Tucson, AZ
avedaschooltucson.com
Dale Lemonds
SQUARE FEET: 4,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 15
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $15
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SpaBiz, Demandforce
ASSOCIATIONS: PBA, NACAAS, AACS
“In 2012 we began tracking water and energy consumption through utility bills. These figures are announced to team members and future professionals to both celebrate when consumption decreases and brainstorm innovative ways to conserve.”

Detour Salon & Store
Encinitas, CA
detoursalon.com
Jarrod Harms and Kirk Bell
SQUARE FEET: 3,400
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 41
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $51
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Bumble and bumble, Redken
COLOR: Redken
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Demandforce, Constant Contact
“We took advantage of a limited offer from our utility company and switched all high-power incandescent and halogen bulbs to LED lighting—with no upfront costs. Our electric costs went down by hundreds each month.”

Fringe Salon
Maplewood, NJ
thefringesalon.com
Kim Hammer
SQUARE FEET: 1,100
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 12
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“We recently partnered with the South Orange Maplewood Bicycle Coalition to create a Fringe bike ride to kick off Ride Your Bike to Work week.”

Ginger Bay Salon & Spa
Kirkwood, MO
gingerbay.com
Laura Ortmann and Jeff Evenson
SQUARE FEET: 10,000/2,800
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 94
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $45
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Demandforce
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“Since Fall 2011, we committed to repurpose all of our mannequin heads, and have donated them to the St. Louis County Police Department to use for SWAT team and forensics training.”

Hair on the Avenue
Sinking Spring, PA
hotasalon.com
David and Debbie Meas
SQUARE FEET: 3,300
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 28
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $52
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Redken, Pureology, Redken for Men
COLOR: Redken
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“Throughout the salon, we post a ‘green’ symbol to distinguish products or services that describe our environmental initiatives. Our goal is not to boast about our efforts but to simply inspire our guests in the hope they will follow our example.”

Impressions
Mequon, WI
impressionsdayspa.com
Kitty Tierney
SQUARE FEET: 4,800
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 48
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $38
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Redken, Pureology, Aveda
COLOR: Redken
TECH SUPPORT: Mikal, Demandforce
ASSOCIATIONS: ABN, NCA, PBA
“After we signed up for wind-powered energy purchase, the Wisconsin Energy company sent me a small windmill which I keep at the front desk. So many clients have asked about it, and it gives us a chance to talk about alternative energy sources.”

Maximum FX Salons Spas
Austin, TX
maximumfx.com
Chris Murphy and Javier Herrera
SQUARE FEET: 2,300/2,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 27
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $55
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, Demandforce
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“This year we eliminated all print magazines in our salons and replaced them with iPads. We use Pinterest for electronic look books, and are migrating from paper files to a completely paperless environment.”

On the Green Salon and Day Spa
Saint Marys, GA
onthegreensalonanddayspa.com
Mary Rose Cannistraro
SQUARE FEET: 4,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 19
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $40
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Envision
ASSOCIATIONS: NCA, PBA, Chamber of Commerce
“We celebrated Earth Month by teaming up with students and faculty at St. Marys’ Elementary for the ‘Kids Need Clean Water’ poster contest. The top five posters for each grade were displayed and auctioned to fund clean water projects.”

Serenity Aveda Lifestyle Salon Spa
West Des Moines, IA
avedaiowa.com
Doug and Jana Van Polen
SQUARE FEET: 4,700/2,300/1,900
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 60
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $52
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: Millennium, Demandforce
ASSOCIATION: PBA
“When we built our salons, we were very aware of green products. Our styling floors are made from recycled tires, our walls are painted with low-VOC paint, our ceilings are made of recycled materials and our manicure tables are made from reclaimed wood and tin.”

Tangerine Salon and Spa
Murfreesboro, TN
tangerinesalonandspa.com
Jim McCarrall
SQUARE FEET: 4,200
TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 33
AVERAGE CUT & STYLE: $40
BEST-SELLING RETAIL: Aveda
COLOR: Aveda
TECH SUPPORT: SalonBiz, SpaBiz, Demandforce
“We offer reward points to guests who bring in their own bag for purchased products. And, we support local farmers markets and promote a ‘buy local’ philosophy for flowers, artwork and laundry supplies.”

Additional Honorees
Aabani Salon Spa, Weaverville, NC
Avalon Salon and Day Spa, Deer Park, IL
The Black Cat Salon & Spa, Kailua, HI
The Circle Salon, Chicago, IL
Five Senses Spa and Salon, Peoria, IL
Ihloff Salon and Day Spa, Tulsa, OK
N Style Salon, Saugus, CA
Paris Parker, Hammond, LA
Phia Salon, Columbus, OH
Pure Aveda Salonspa,Mount Dora, FL
Rumors Salon and Spa &
Rumors IV Men, Latham, NY
Salon Soca, Chicago, IL
Salon TEN, Leesburg, VA
Sky Salon, Strongsville, OH