A North-East hair salon has vowed to sustain its commitment to the environment in 2017 after winning six business awards last year.
Inverurie-based Élan Hair Design, which can claim to be the UK’s most eco-friendly hair salon, won the accolades after reducing its carbon emissions by 95%, cutting its water consumption by 68% and reducing the amount of waste it sends to landfill by 94%.
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The salon sealed victory at the UK Business Awards in London pipping supermarket giant, Aldi, to win the sustainability prize after presenting to a panel of judges at a day-long event.
In addition, Élan won the Clean and Green category at the National CSR Awards – other winners at the event in London included Halfords, Warburtons and Primark.
Élan won the SME Saver Award and a £500 prize through the Love Energy Savings Awards Scheme, the Silver Award (Scotland) at the International CSR Awards and the Silver Retail Award (Scotland) at the UK Green Apple Awards.
Élan’s most recent success came at the Scottish Family Business Awards in Glasgow where it was awarded the Green Family Business of the Year honour.
In addition, the business was a finalist at a host of other award ceremonies throughout 2016 including the Scottish Business Awards, the Evening Express Local Retailer Awards and the VIBES Environmental Awards.
Élan’s director, Lorna Milton, said: “2016 was a fantastic year for us, winning six awards and being nominated in so many others. The recognition is tremendous and is all down to the hardworking team we have here at Élan.
“Each staff member buys into our environmental ethos and does their bit on a daily basis to make sure we optimise our performance and find new ways in which we can improve.
“Looking towards 2017 our position remains the same and we’re looking to continue spreading our message, sharing examples of our best practice and show the commercial and environmental benefits of our green programme.”
Élan began its eco-friendly initiative in March 2012 with 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.
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 28 business awards having received more than 90 nominations as a result of its eco-friendly programme.
