Off to a sustainable start as a hairdresser

Why include sustainability from the start as a hairdresser?

When you start your own business, you choose a company name and a legal form and register with KVK. You can also look into doing business sustainably. The earth is warming and that has negative consequences. To limit this as much as possible, there are more and more environmental regulations you must follow. Such as the energy-saving obligation and the rules for single-use plastic cups and containers.

Did you know that 55% of consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly brands? One in 6 consumers even stay away from companies that do not seem to care about the environment or human and animal welfare. So, it is advisable to consider sustainability from the start of your business and prepare for future laws and regulations. There are different things to think about when starting sustainably as a hairdresser.

• Money for green plans
• Sustainable premises
• Waste separation and recycling
• Sustainable purchasing and sales

Money for green plans

Your company can be financially sound, while also making the world and society a little better. Do you want to take concrete steps towards sustainability as an entrepreneur? If you need to borrow money to do this, you can use the SME credit scheme BMKB-Groen. Under this scheme, the government acts as guarantor when you borrow money to make your business more sustainable. This lowers the risk for your financier and makes it easier for you to get a loan.

Choose sustainable premises

The National Climate Agreement states that the Netherlands wants to reduce CO2 emissions by 60% by 2030. This is why more and more rules are being introduced that may affect your choice of premises. For example, entrepreneurs with high-consumption levels must take all energy-saving measures that they can earn back within 5 years. Most hairdressers are not currently affected by this energy-saving obligation. But if you choose sustainable premises now, you will save on your energy costs and be prepared for the future.

When looking for a property, check the energy label. A low energy label means an efficient building. If you choose a building with a high energy label, you can make it more sustainable before you open your business. Invest in a heat pump and insulation, for example. Your energy costs can be up to 30% lower if you insulate your salon properly. You can apply for subsidies to make your premises more sustainable.

Get energy advice

An energy adviser can calculate the costs and benefits of energy-saving options for you. They will draw up a report for you and help you implement their advice.

Jeroen Peels knows how useful it can be to call in an energy adviser. The Eindhoven-based entrepreneur's hair salon has been energy-neutral since 2018. Thanks to the advice, Peels knew exactly how he could make it more sustainable. And which subsidies he could use to do so.

Saving energy in your premises

As a hairdresser, you use a lot of energy. Electric boilers for hot water, lighting, air conditioning, and hairdryers are the biggest users of energy. So that is also where you can save the most when it comes to your energy costs. So instead of a turbo dryer, you can choose a hair dryer with a lower power rating of 1,200 to 1,500 watts. This will save up to 30% on your energy costs. And for lighting, you can use LED lamps instead of light bulbs. The LED lighting at Peels’ hair salon paid for itself within a year.

Your washing machine and dryer are also potential energy guzzlers. Instead of a condenser dryer with energy label B or C, buy a heat pump dryer with energy class A+++, for example.

Appliances often remain in standby mode. If you install time switches, you won't give standby consumption a chance. At the end of the working day, all equipment is switched off completely meaning you can save up to 10% on your energy costs.

Become more sustainable as a tenant

Do you rent a workplace? Talk to your landlord about how to make the building more sustainable. You can start a discussion by sending the landlord this model letter from sector association INretail (in Dutch). Include the agreements you make in the rental contract.

Do you run your business from home?

Even if you work from home, you can make your business more sustainable. For example, generate your energy with solar panels. If, as an entrepreneur, you use 10% or more of the generated energy for business purposes, you can buy solar panels using tax deduction schemes, such as the KIA or EIA. Some schemes can be combined for extra benefit. Your accountant or an energy adviser can help you with this.

Waste separation and recycling

You must separate the waste from your business. For example, paper and cardboard from boxes and packaging. But also foils, needles, glass packaging, and textiles should be collected separately. Fill in the Company waste separation tool to find out which waste you should separate and how.

When it comes to waste separation, you can also go beyond what is required. For instance, hair salon Green & Gorgeous in Alkmaar also separates coffee grounds. A local community garden collects the grounds every week and uses them for its plants. The salon even has customers' hair recycled. This is because it contains keratin which can be used to treat burns. A recycling company collects the hair and processes it into a new product.

Sustainable transport

Are you going to be driving for your business? For example, because you will be working at people's homes. It may be smart to opt for electric transport straight away. Since 2025, the rules for transport in inner cities have been stricter. If you use a van, it will have to be at least emission class 5. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to enter the zero-emission zones that many cities have. Want to know whether your vehicle can enter a zero-emission zone? Check with the zero-emissions licence plate check (in Dutch).

From 2030, no new petrol or diesel-fuelled cars may be sold in the Netherlands. The government wants to encourage people to use electric vehicles.

Sustainable purchasing and sales

The hairdressing industry already has many products that are biodegradable. For example, products that are free of harmful materials such as microplastics. Packaging-free products are also increasingly coming onto the market. Choose refillable products, if possible, also for the products you sell to your customers.

Hair salon Green & Gorgeous uses a refill station. Customers can refill empty bottles of the products again and again. The sustainable hairdresser encourages this with a 10% discount on refills.