An Inverurie business, believed to be the UK’s most eco-friendly hair salon, has been nominated for a national business award.
Élan Hair Design has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Ethical/CSR/Green business of the year category at the FSB World Pay Awards taking place on Tuesday, February 2 at the QE II Conference Centre in London.
Lorna Milton, director of Élan Hair Design, said: “We are delighted to have been nominated as a finalist for the FSB World Pay Awards.
“These are prestigious awards and for Élan to be shortlisted is a fantastic achievement. It’s great credit to our team at the salon who work tremendously hard to make our eco-friendly business a success.”
Élan’s eco-friendly project includes the use of recyclable materials, photo-voltaic panels to generate electricity, solar thermal panels to provide energy for hot water, LED lighting that uses 80% less electricity and environmentally-friendly basins that cut water consumption by 64%.
The salon has since continued with is environmental programme cutting its carbon emissions by 94% and diverting 95% of its general waste from landfill.
Élan has also made an impressive contribution to society, both in their local and national communities.
The company has held events to encourage other like-minded businesses to become more sustainable and, by raising awareness, increase consumer demand for more eco-friendly products and services.
Élan has also shared information with the stylists of the future at North East Scotland College and Adam Smith College in Kirkcaldy providing examples of their sustainable best practice.
To date, Élan’s commitment to the community and the environment has won the business 20 awards from more than 70 nominations.
The salon was recently was highly commended in the National Business Awards and was a finalist in both the Scottish Business Awards and the UK Chamber Awards, hosted by the British Chambers of Commerce.