At Elluca, we believe that sustainability isn't just a trend — it's the way of the future. As a Sustainable Salon, we are committed to making eco-friendly choices that benefit both our clients and the planet. From the products we use to the practices we implement, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. And recycling plays a huge role in this mission.
Why is Recycling So Important?
Recycling is one of the simplest, yet most impactful ways we can reduce our environmental footprint. By recycling, we divert waste from landfills, conserve natural resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. It’s a powerful way to give materials a second life, reducing the need for raw resources and the energy used in manufacturing new products.
At Elluca, we recycle everything we can. Whether it’s hair, foils, chemicals, or even coffee pods, nothing goes to waste. We’ve partnered with organisations that ensure these items are disposed of responsibly, repurposed, or reused where possible. This commitment to sustainability allows us to offer top-tier services without compromising the health of the environment.
Metals
Re-melting used aluminium saves up to 95% of the energy and 97% of the water needed to produce the primary product. We send off our used foils, product cans, colour tubes, drink cans and more. They get remade into foils for hairdressers to use.
Plastics
Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down, and even then microplastics can remain which pollute our land and oceans. We send off anything and everything that is plastic, including the lids of our colour tubes, empty product bottles and more. They get remade into shower combs, glasses, toothbrush holders, dog leads, coasters and more.
Paper
Did you know paper products can be recycled multiple times? All of our packaging, postage boxes, paper etc gets sent off to get remade into recycled paper products.
Hair
Hair clippings have been viewed as waste for too long. Their untapped potential is absolutely staggering, andat Sustainable Salons, they’re changing the way we view and use hair clippings. All the hair that lands on our salon floor gets sent off and remade into Hair Booms that help soak up oil spills. Our hair also gets made into A world-first soil treatment powered by - you guessed it - hair. Hair is a bountiful and nourishing resource, not something to throw away. Soilz Alive saves hair from going to landfill by repurposing it as a natural way to improve soil health.
Unlike compost mixes containing manure, blood, and bone, Soilz Alive is an eco-friendly alternative that helps improve soil health and encourages plant growth. This aligns with our ethos at Elluca, with all of the plants we have.
What happens to ponytails?
We send ponytails directly to wigmakers and to charitable organisations such as Variety and the Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation (AAAF) to be made into charitable wigs or to fund life-changing programs.
Ponytails Must Meet These Requirements:
- Plaited ponytails 20cm or longer
- Human hair ponytails
- 100% human hair extension ponytails
- Coloured hair ponytails
- Natural hair ponytails
Who Can Donate Ponytails?
We accept the following hair:
- Hair from people of any age, gender, hair type, and hair colour (as long as the hair is properly prepared)
- Chemically processed or coloured hair
- Curly hair ponytails are accepted but must meet the minimum 20cm length without being straightened
- 100% human hair extensions, as originally verified and labelled by the product supplier
Donations are accepted in our salon, whether it's an old ponytail you have had laying around or you're cutting off a long ponytail. These will all be sent off!
Chemicals
Did you know 95% of salon chemical waste is actually water? So why not recycle it!
Instead of all these chemicals being rinsed down the sink and polluting our waterways, we help give them a second life by neutralising them to be reused as recycled water. This also means we can better conserve our natural water supplies when a high-purity product is not needed.
We collect all of our excess chemicals into a air tight tub and send it off.
Recycled water is used in place of fresh water when a high-purity level is not necessary, like in the construction industry. Whether it’s used for dust suppression to protect workers’ lungs, making concrete, or washing trucks and other equipment, recycled water is a valuable and sustainable resource for all our tradies out there!
The majority of recycled water is bought by councils who then use it across the community for watering gardens, flushing toilets or even filling ornamental ponds.
Recycled water is especially useful for wet-cutting machines on concrete and tiles. The water keeps dust from getting airborne, reduces noise and acts a coolant to keep machines from overheating.
Broken Tools
We don't just care about materials, we give your pre-loved tools some love too.
Feel good saying goodbye to your hairdryers, curling wands and straighteners by including them in a Sustainable Salons recycling collection. The most valuable part of these tools are their copper wires, which are removed and resold, their proceeds going back to making community impact.
Our Partnership with L’Oréal: A Sustainable Brand
We’re proud to work with L’Oréal, a brand that shares our values around sustainability. L’Oréal is a leader in eco-friendly innovation, with a focus on reducing their environmental impact at every stage—from sourcing ingredients to packaging design using recycled plastics. They have set ambitious sustainability goals, including reducing carbon emissions, water consumption, and waste.
L’Oréal’s products not only deliver stunning results but are backed by science and a strong commitment to the environment. Their dedication to sustainability makes them the perfect partner for us at Elluca, as we continue to strive towards a greener future for the salon industry.
Reduce, Reuse & Recycle: What We Do at Elluca
At Elluca, we take recycling seriously. We’ve made it easy for our clients to get involved, too. When you bring in your empty L’Oréal product bottles, we’ll give you 10% off your next product purchase as a thank-you for supporting our recycling efforts. It’s just one small way we can encourage everyone to reduce waste and give back to the planet.
We also recycle every day in the salon. From the foil we use for hair colouring to the plastic containers our products come in, we ensure that as much material as possible is reused or recycled. Even our coffee pods get a second life!
Our aim is to create a circular salon environment, where materials are used thoughtfully and repurposed whenever possible. By doing this, we help reduce the demand for new resources and lessen our environmental impact.
The Future is Green
Sustainability is more than just a buzzword at Elluca—it’s a philosophy we live by. Recycling, reducing waste, and making eco-conscious choices are crucial steps toward creating a healthier planet for future generations. We believe in the power of small actions, and together with our clients, we are making a positive impact.
So next time you visit us, don’t forget to bring in your empty product bottles and take advantage of our recycling incentive. Every bottle recycled is a step toward a more sustainable future.
Reduce, Reuse & Recycle. Together, we can make a difference.
At Elluca, we’re proud to be part of a growing movement that believes in the importance of sustainability. Let’s make recycling a habit—for us, for our planet, and for the generations to come.
