The salon sector is often looked upon when discussing sustainable changes that need to be implemented across the beauty provision. In North America alone, 42,000 pounds of excess hair color, lightener, and toner are washed down the drain daily, contributing to contaminated waterways and soil. Aside from the strand-induced environmental damage, materials used to achieve desirable outcomes also prove to be problematic. Daily, 110,000 pounds of used metal, including foils, are discarded in salons across North America.
The plethora of waste created by salons is frequently attributed a lack of education for salon workers and visitors alike. “When most people sit down in a stylist's chair, they're prepping for a relaxing experience that will leave them looking and feeling good. But neither they—nor, often, the salon workers—are thinking about the tremendous impact they have on the environment at that moment,” Shane Price, CEO of Green Circle Salons previously told BeautyMatter. “But it's not their fault. There hasn't been much education about the impact, and in the past, there has been a dearth of solutions.”
Research from Green Circle Salons found that despite 62% of salons now incorporating material recycling (a 3% rise from 2020), 74% are still yet to adopt beauty waste recycling services. What’s more, only 14% have ever tried an official beauty waste recycling program, with lack of awareness and expense tied as the top two reasons why 86% of salons owners have not investigated recycling solutions available to them.
Arguably, foils, particularly those made of aluminum are the biggest perpetrators harming the environment via salon waste. On global average, salons use enough foil to wrap around the world numerous times. Aluminum foils significantly harm the environment due to their resource-intensive product, pollution, and waste. During manufacturing, the product requires mining bauxite, which is known to destroy habitats and ecosystems, while the refining and smelting process generates significant levels of toxic waste, air pollution, and greenhouse gases. Additionally, aluminum production consumes high amounts of energy and water, exacerbating environmental damage.
Once again, lack of education furthers the dangers of salon materials on the environment. Common misconceptions surrounding aluminum foils lead many to overestimate their true recyclability. Although these foils are technicallyrecyclable (melting down into raw aluminum to be used again), color contaminated products more often end up in landfill where they can take centuries to decompose.
Recognizing this ongoing problem, R+COLOR’s R+Co professional hair color range has joined forces with sustainable salon company Paper Not Foil to tackle the exhaustive levels of damaging material destined for landfill in all too many salons. The co-branded collaboration intends to combat the lack of education surrounding eco-friendly alternatives to common material foils, while offering salons solutions that reduce waste while maintaining functionality.
Paper Not Foil is a sustainable, paper solution to aluminum foil, plastic, and mesh, made from recycled industrial by-products and produced with low carbon emissions. The product is produced using renewable, solar energy resources, without the use of water, acid, bleach, or trees, using 86% less energy to significantly reduce carbon emissions. The paper foil alternative is recyclable and degradable should it end up in landfill, and can be rinsed or machined washed, then air dried for reusability. Additionally, any rejected paper accumulated during creation can be recycled into new paper or through recycling streams, made into new products.
“As colorists, we know nothing lasts forever—but Paper Not Foil comes close. It’s durable enough to handle multiple uses during a session, yet lightweight, flexible, and easy to work with,” Richy Kandasamy, Vice President Color Development and R+COLOR Collective Member tells BeautyMatter. “Made from recycled materials, it’s reusable and, when it’s done, it breaks down naturally without leaving a trace. This makes Paper Not Foil significantly better for the environment, with a much smaller carbon footprint. It’s proof that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand.”
Aside from tackling waste issues, Paper Not Foil has additional benefits for both salon workers and customers. From a practical and usability perspective, the product is lightweight, nonslip, and flexible, making application easier and more precise. In addtion, unlike traditional foils, there is no need to fold these foils into parcels or over the tail of a comb. Instead the foil is placed onto the hair and folded to encase any color or lighter application—contributing to quieter, faster, and easier application with more creative potential and comfort for the client.
Kandasamy highlighted further benefits. “While aluminum is highly heat-conductive, Paper Not Foil delivers even processing temperatures without overheating and keeps the hair's natural texture and strength intact, which is everything when you’re focused on healthy results. It’s a win-win solution for stylists seeking to reduce their ecological footprint while maintaining professional results,” he adds.
R+Co’s partnership with Paper Not Foil is one of the business’s many efforts to reach a more sustainable salon industry. R+Co’s entire range is free of fragrance, gluten, PPD, resorcinol, formaldehyde, parabens, and silicones. Additionally, R+Co is said to be the first hair color brand in the world to launch demi-permanent liquid using 100% recycled aluminum bottles. Aside from this, pre- and post-color products are packaged using 50-100% PCR materials, and cartons are sustainably sourced, made from 100% PCR paper, certified by the FSC.
For R+Co, despite being a pioneer for sustainability, it's not about gatekeeping but instead open sourcing the solution in the hopes for spurring industry wide change. “As a colorist, I see firsthand how innovative solutions like Paper Not Foil prove that eco-friendly practices can deliver exceptional and creative results. It’s really about creating awareness—when salons and stylists adopt these changes, it inspires the entire industry to rethink its impact and move toward greener, more sustainable practices,” Kandasamy continues.
R+Co’s mission goes beyond salon owners, with a focus on raising awareness among consumers, motivating them to inform their local salons of such sustainable alternatives when requesting color services. “Encouraging others is so important,” says Kandasamy. “We’re committed to driving sustainability in the industry by actively promoting eco-friendly alternatives. We educate salons and consumers on its environmental benefits through workshops, social media, and direct collaborations. By showcasing how we can reduce waste without compromising color results, we’re helping the industry make greener, smarter choices,” he concludes.
The partnership between R+Co and Paper Not Foil highlights a pivotal moment for the salon industry as it embraces efforts to move towards a more sustainable fixture. By addressing the environmental impact of day to day salon practices and introducing alternative, eco-friendly solutions, the collaboration opens the doors to what is truly possible in beauty. Through education, awareness, and accessibility, the industry can move towards reducing environmental damage without sacrificing creativity, results, and the planet.
