Sustainability with style at Bach Hair salon in Paddington

Peter and Lee Hanmer have seen plenty of change since they opened their first hair salon in Brisbane more than 40 years ago. When Peter discusses sustainability at Bach Hair in Paddington, his enthusiasm shines through. He approaches sustainability with the commitment of someone starting an exciting new adventure.

Turning of the tide

Peter first recognised a shift approximately 15 years ago. He realised it was careless to run a business without considering its impact on the planet.

“We chose to change and partner with Sustainable Salons, which is a business within the hairdressing industry that makes it very easy to be sustainable,” Peter said. "I think that combination of a desire to be sustainable and the ability to do it easily has been the trick.”

It didn’t take much effort for him and his team of 15 workers to be sustainable thanks to the support of Sustainable Salons. 

Peter and Lee's clients pay a small "green fee" added to their services. This fee supports a Sustainable Salons consultant who trains the team in sustainability. They also regularly collect materials for recycling or safe disposal.

Making sustainability easy

At Bach Hair, the team recycles nearly all materials.

“Metals, plastics, paper, cardboard, even the hair we cut and the chemicals we use go back to Sustainable Salons and are either repurposed or carefully managed to not be as harmful to the environment as they otherwise might be,” Peter said.

For example, the salon fills several bins each week with aluminum foil. Sustainable Salons collects the foil and provides credits that Bach Hair can use to buy back cleaned, repurposed foil. 

Sustainable Salons sell plastics for repurposing into heavy materials for large items like bus stops and park benches. They break down chemicals from color treatments into non-potable water, which can dampen construction sites. They also repurpose cut hair into marine booms to contain oil spills.

Additionally, Peter and Lee installed 15 watts of solar panels on the salon roof. In winter, this makes the salon off-grid, while in summer, it covers most energy costs, including air-conditioning.

Peter emphasised that Sustainable Salons has a model that helps both the community and the environment. Profits support OzHarvest and Kiwi Harvest, which provide food relief to those in need.

Keep looking and getting better

Sustainability is now a core part of Bach Hair. Peter believes there are always ways to improve business practices for better sustainability and efficiency.

“We’re always looking at how to do things better. As battery technology becomes better, we’re looking at ways to harness our surplus solar power. We also recently found a company to install tap heads that have halved our water usage,” Peter said.

Brisbane ties

First opened in 1983, Bach Hair has grown and changed as part of Brisbane’s evolving business landscape. Peter says he has grown to love the city, which no longer fits the stereotype of a 'big country town'.

“All of a sudden, it’s a big town. It is a fashionable town and a place where it’s possible to manage a modern, effective business,” Peter said.

“If you look at what comes out of our city, it is remarkable. Particularly in our industry, some of the best hairdressers in Australia are in Brisbane.”

Be sustainable and shout about it

Peter said that businesses should wear their efforts to be more sustainable proudly.

“You don’t have be sustainable quietly. If you tell the world about your efforts to be sustainable, it will increase your business. People are interested in it.”

“If you’re going to be a modern, effective business, shout about it. I think it has driven business to us,” Peter said.