As we progress further into the 21st century, more and more businesses are becoming aware of the major problems in the world and are using their social influence to make a difference. As a result, many companies are beginning to look for ways to become more socially responsible businesses and help in any way they can.
When we think of industries that need to become more socially responsible the first ones that come to mind are those that have traditionally damaged ecosystems or have taken advantage of poor communities through their business decisions. What is still rare to see, however, is companies within an industry that most people don’t see as being detrimental to the planet doing everything they can to make the world a better place.
One such company is The Curl Ambassadors Curly Hair Salon, a Canadian franchise with three locations specializing in offering products and services geared towards naturally curly hair. They are doing some amazing things to significantly reduce their carbon footprint and help positively impact as many lives as possible. Check out some of the unique programs they are involved in below.
Using Hair Clippings To Clean Up Oil Spills
Probably the most odd and unique program that The Curl Ambassadors are involved in is a hair recycling program that uses hair clippings to clean up oil spills. These hair clippings, which would otherwise be discarded into landfills, are collected by a company called Green Circle Salons who then fills nylon casings with the hair clippings.
The logic behind all of this is that hair is a great material for absorbing oil, as anyone who has gone several days without washing their hair is well aware of. By filling nylon casings with hair clippings, these casings, known as hair booms, can be placed into a body of water that has suffered an oil spill. The hair booms quickly absorb oil and are then placed into special bags that are also supplied by Green Circle Salons.
Making Pillows For Natural Disaster Victims With Recycled Hair
If you thought cleaning up oil spills with hair clippings was odd, that is just one of the weird but cool programs that The Curl Ambassadors is involved in. Another way that they are benefiting the world by recycling hair clippings instead of sending it to landfills is by using it as stuffing for pillows.
A major problem in third world countries that face a natural disaster is they have severely deteriorated living conditions until their communities begin to get rebuilt. To reduce this hardship, The Curl Ambassadors has partnered with other socially responsible businesses to make pillows out of recycled milk bags filled with hair clippings. This is by no means a long term solution but it does help people get through the tough times immediately after a natural disaster, especially those with young children.
Recycling Harmful Waste
Although it may not seem like a very harmful business, the hair salon industry is known to produce nearly 20,000 tonnes annually of harmful waste that ends up in landfills and water systems. This waste comes in the form of hair, plastic bottles, colour tubes, dyes and foils.
The Curl Ambassadors is well aware of this terrible truth and is taking part in many programs that recycle or put these products to good use, as you can see from the way they recycle hair clippings above. Being one of the most successful hair salons in Canada, hopefully other up and coming hair salons, as well as some of their competition, can take notes and begin going in the same direction.
Changing The World One Hair Appointment At A Time
Who ever knew that hair clippings can be used for so many beneficial reasons. While most hair salons are discarding their hair clippings, filling up limited landfill space, The Curl Ambassadors is putting it into good use. At The Curl Ambassadors, they share the same philosophy as Green Circle Salons, which states “It’s not only about looking good and feeling good-it’s also about doing good!” and they are doing a fantastic job of living up to this model.
In such a busy world, it can be difficult to be conscious of how everything we do affects the world around us. This is why it is so important for businesses at the top of their industry to make responsible decisions so that consumers can contribute to the betterment of the planet simply by supporting these companies. If we keep supporting these types of companies, it’s only a matter of time before other companies begin to follow in their footsteps.