Big News!
Elluca is officially a finalist for ANZ AHIA Best Eco Salon at the 2026 AHIA Business Awards.
Winners get announced on 18th October, and honestly, just being a finalist feels like a win already.
Here’s the thing though… sustainability was never a “let’s do this for an award” move. It was part of our business plan from day one. Before we even opened our doors, we decided growth couldn’t come at the cost of the planet. So every system we’ve built… waste, water, product, energy has sustainability considered.
We’re not perfect. We don’t think any salon can be. But we do think every salon—and honestly, every business—can do something. So here’s a real look at what we actually do day to day. Steal any of it, use it, adapt it to your business:
Things we do at Elluca that you can start doing too:
- Partner with Sustainable Salons to recycle foils, hair, plastics, metals, paper, cardboard, colour tubes, empty bottles, chemicals, electrical tools and razors instead of everything going to landfill.
- Use TerraCycle for the annoying stuff most recycling can’t touch such as Nitrile gloves and coffee pods. Although we use Pod & Parcel coffee pods on subscription and they are biodegradable/compostable.
- Track colour and product usage per client, so we’re not over-mixing and wasting product. Implementing Vish or keeping accurate and description client histories.
- Offer shampoo and conditioner refills instead of pushing new bottles every time. Clients love this one and many industries and product companies are moving this way.
- Use our own biodegradable sample containers for clients to try before they buy, or for travel!
- Installed EcoHeads + water reducers on our basins to cut water usage.
- Dry towels and capes outside in the sun before they hit the dryer.
- Insulated our windows to reduce heating/cooling needs, maintaining a consistent temperature through the day.
- Switched everyday supplies (toilet paper, paper towel, bin bags) to Who Gives A Crap. Honestly, their bin bags are better than any other on the market! Their dish clothes are washable/reusable.
- Use recycled, eco-conscious packaging for retail bags and online orders. We use HeapsGood and love their products!
- Reuse glass jars around the salon as plant pots instead of binning them. We use them for flowers at our front desk, and now we often have clients bringing in flowers from their gardens! LOVE!
- Run a client recycling reward — bring in ANY empty haircare bottle (any brand, any store) and get 10% off retail. No conditions, no catch. Even supermarket products. At least then we know they’re getting recycled properly.
- Use the salon as a collection point for our local Domestic Violence Crisis Service, so giving back isn’t just an environmental thing.
A note...
None of this happened overnight, and none of it is “finished.” That’s kind of the point… sustainability isn’t a box you tick once. It’s a habit you keep building on. What could you improve on? What do you do that we don’t do?
If you’re a salon owner (or any small business owner) reading this and thinking “we could probably do one of these”… start with one. Just one. That’s genuinely how we started too.
Fingers crossed for October Finalist Announcements!
