Our Chilliwack hair salon recycles and repurposes up to 98% of our waste.
At Create Space, we’re not just creating space for individualized artistry and luxury hair experiences—we’re about saving the planet. It may sound dramatic, but really we are redefining what it means to be a sustainable salon in Chilliwack, BC. Certified by the Green Circle Initiative, we’re changing the unfortunate truth that most salons contribute to poor sustainable practices by proudly recycling and repurposing up to 98% of our salon waste (amazing, we know). From hair clippings and foil to chemical residues and packaging, every aspect of our operations reflects our deep commitment to reducing our ecological footprint. At Create Space, sustainability is a core value that drives every decision we make, ensuring that our clients not only look great but also feel great about their choice to support a salon dedicated to making a positive impact on our planet.
How does the beauty industry contribute to poor sustainability practices?
The beauty salon industry, especially hair salons, unfortunately contributes to poor sustainable practices in a couple of different ways. One of the biggest issues is the excessive use of single-use plastics—think those disposable gloves, hair dye sachets, and product containers that end up in the trash after a single use. It’s disheartening because these items often can’t be recycled and just add to our growing waste problem. Then there’s the energy and water use: all that blow-drying, washing, and styling takes a toll on our resources. And let’s not forget about the chemicals in hair products that can be harsh on both our bodies and the environment if not handled correctly. Many salons struggle with managing these challenges effectively, which means there’s a lot of room for improvement in adopting greener practices, like using eco-friendly products and finding ways to cut down on waste.
Why is sustainability important to Create Space Hair Salon?
At Create Space, sustainability is baked into our mission. We are committed to being more than just a hair salon—we strive to be a positive force for change in sustainability. Remaining eco-friendly and achieving carbon neutrality are central to our mission. Despite the challenges and sometimes higher costs associated with sustainable practices in our industry, we firmly believe it’s non-negotiable. By reducing our environmental impact, we aim to inspire others in the beauty industry to do the same, creating a ripple effect of positive change. Our dedication stems from a deep-seated belief that we must meet our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. We are grateful for the support of our guests who share this vision and choose Create Space as their preferred salon, knowing they are contributing to a greener future with each visit.
What is the Green Circle initiative?
The Green Circle Initiative is a comprehensive sustainability program specifically designed for the beauty industry, including hair salons. It addresses various environmental challenges posed by salon activities, such as the significant generation of waste from hair clippings, foil, and chemical residues. This initiative provides salons with practical solutions to reduce their ecological footprint through recycling and repurposing efforts. The Green Circle Initiative also promotes the use of eco-friendly products and energy-efficient practices, aiming to transform salons into hubs of sustainable innovation. By participating in this program, salons not only lessen their environmental impact but also inspire their clients and peers to embrace responsible consumption and waste reduction in the beauty industry.
We are incredibly proud to be officially certified as a Sustainable Salon through the Green Circle initiative. In 2023, with the invaluable support of this program, we diverted a staggering 1251.4 lbs of beauty waste from our landfills. This includes everything from hair clippings to foils, excess hair color, aerosol cans, and color tubes—items that are notoriously challenging to recycle. The Green Circle initiative, championed by leaders in the hair industry, empowers us to recover up to 95% of these materials that would otherwise harm our environment.
What practices does Create Space use to be sustainable?
At Create Space, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a fundamental part of everything we do. We’re proud to recycle an astounding 98% of what would typically be classified as waste in the beauty industry, thanks to our partnership with the Green Circle initiative. Here’s how we make a difference:
Hair: After your haircut, your hair isn’t just swept away—it’s composted with other organic waste, turned into bio-composite plastic for new products like recycling bins, and even used in cutting-edge research for insulation and stormwater filtration. It doesn’t stop there; our hair waste is also utilized for humanitarian efforts, such as cleaning up oil spills in our oceans.
Excess Hair Color: The leftover hair color isn’t flushed down the drain. Instead, it’s transformed into clean energy or separated into water and oil, which can be cleaned and returned to our water system or blended into fuel.
Metals: Foils and other metals are melted down and repurposed into aluminum sheets or bars, contributing to the production of new items like car parts or bicycles.
Single-Use Products: Items like aerosol cans and color tubes are utilized in a waste-to-energy process, generating renewable energy, with the leftover ash repurposed as asphalt.
Paper and Cardboard: We meticulously sort and break down paper and cardboard by grade, turning them into paper pulp for new products or cellulose insulation.
Plastic: Plastic waste is sorted by type, cleaned, and ground into small pieces that are then used to create new products such as eco-friendly shampoo bottles.
PPE Waste: Even personal protective equipment (PPE) waste, like gloves and masks, is transformed into clean renewable energy to power homes and businesses, with the ash residue used as filler in construction materials like asphalt and brick.
What products does Create Space use to be sustainable?
We’re passionate about using products from brands like Kérastase and Davines because they share our deep commitment to sustainability. These brands don’t just create great haircare products—they make a positive impact on our planet. Kérastase impresses us with their use of natural ingredients and dedication to eco-friendly packaging, which perfectly complements our efforts to minimize our salon’s environmental footprint. Similarly, Davines stands out with their focus on renewable energy and biodegradable packaging, reflecting our shared values of environmental responsibility. By choosing Kérastase and Davines, we’re not only delivering top-notch hair treatments but also supporting brands that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. It’s a partnership that allows us to offer our clients a haircare experience that’s as good for their hair as it is for the planet we all call home. To shop our sustainable product lines, click here.
Our Refill Program at Create Space Hair Co.
We’re beyond excited to announce our new refill program. With it, you can purchase your favourite Davines product in a refillable bottle and bring it back to the salon for a refillable pouch of the same product once you’ve finished it. It’s not only great for the environment because it reduces plastic use by 74% percent (and eliminates the need for single-use plastics altogether), but it also saves you some cash because we’re able to offer a sweet discount on these refillables! Questions? Talk to us.
Do Good For Your Hair, Do Good For The Planet
By leading as a Certified Sustainable Salon with the Green Circle Initiative, we strive to inspire change. Our efforts in recycling up to 98% of salon waste and embracing eco-friendly practices aim not only to enhance our salon’s impact but also to set a precedent for others. We believe in a future where beauty and sustainability go hand in hand, and invite everyone to join us in making a difference, one haircut at a time. Click here to request your next reservation with our stylists. If you’re interested to learn more about how Create Space is a Sustainable Salon in Chilliwack, BC, please don’t hesitate to contact us.