A North-East hair salon has won a prestigious national business award as a result of its commitment to the environment.
Inverurie-based Élan Hair Design, which can claim to be the UK’s most eco-friendly hair salon, has won the Sustainability Award at the UK Business Awards held at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London on Friday (November 11).
The salon pipped supermarket giant, Aldi, to the award after giving a presentation at the day-long event. Other award winners included Barclays, Virgin Money and mobile phones network provider Three.
Élan’s salon coordinator, Lauren Milton, presented to judges at the awards ceremony and said: “We’re delighted to have won this award which recognises our environmental efforts at our salon.
“Going up against a successful company like Aldi and coming out on top is a fantastic achievement and puts our accomplishments into context.
“The awards ceremony was a fantastic occasion and it was great to hear so many inspiring speeches from different businesses across the UK. I was a little nervous speaking in front of a crowd but it was absolutely worth it as we’ve brought the award back to the North-east.”
Élan has made significant environmental accomplishments since it began an eco-friendly initiative in 2012 which involved a £250,000 refurbishment of its premises.
Features of the revamp included the installation of PV (photovoltaic) panels which generate electricity and solar-thermal panels to provide energy for hot water.
The salon has since continued to develop innovative methods of reducing its carbon footprint; including designing a system to send hair clippings and other biodegradable waste to be spread as soil improver on local farmers’ fields. Unique measures such as these have allowed the salon to divert 94% of its waste from landfill.
In addition, the business has introduced a carbon management plan, which has led to the salon reducing its emissions by 95% and water consumption by 68%.
The salon has also spent time sharing examples of its best practices with the Adam Smith College in Fife and the North East Scotland College, as well as giving presentations at local, national and international business conferences.
Élan has won 26 business awards having received more than 90 nominations as a result of its eco-friendly programme.
For further information about Élan Hair Design visit www.elanhair.co.uk or visit the salon’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/elanhairdesign.