Melbourne’s shibui salon continues to lead the way in sustainability, and the space has been recognised for those strides at the Kao Salon Global Experience, which took place in Amsterdam in October. Each continent awarded a sustainable leader, and shibui was honoured as a pioneer in this forum.
In line with Kao’s sustainable ethics as well, shibui, which is situated in South Yarra, is anchored by a sustainable and ethical mindset, and has been leading the way in ‘low fuss’ hair for over 30 years. The salon is well-known for its natural free hand and dry cutting approach to hair. Their preference to use hands rather than a brush is renowned as the essence of the brand.
Additionally, the salon has partnered with Sustainable Salons since 2017, elevating their contributions to sustainability and philanthropy, and opt for a carbon neutral energy provider. This means that any carbon the salon produces through their day-to-day workings is offset by investing in initiatives that prevent, reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. The salon is also looking to source electricity from renewable sources.
“When I first embarked on my hair path 30 years ago, I remember thinking that, in its essence, hairdressing is a pure pursuit; needing only scissors and comb to ply the craft,” shared Brent Barber, owner of shibui. “That was a very attractive prospect for me. Now the commercial realities are inescapable but the ideal of the pure hairdresser is still within our capabilities and that’s what I want shibui to be.”
In other inventive sustainable strategies, since 2020 employees have been encouraged to invest their superannuation in Australian Ethical Super, which diverts money from fossil fuels and other unsustainable investments into the ethical investment space.
Moreover, clients are invited to return empty salon packaging of their brands to recycle for a 10 per cent discount on retail sales, in a program that has seen much success. The salon also purchases salon consumables from sustainable businesses wherever possible, from disposable towels to foil and even toilet roll. Importantly, all salon materials, from metals to colour and even electrical tools, are recycled.
“Through our partnership with Sustainable Salons we have reduced the amount of salon waste we send to landfill by 80 per cent and recycled or repurposed literally tonnes of waste saving countless KWHs of energy generation, megalitres of water and tonnes of plastic production. We have contributed to financing some amazing social wellbeing programs including OzHarvest and wig making for charitable organisations,” Brent said.
In their many sustainable endeavours, a partnership with Kao remains paramount to their cause and impact.
“Our choice of salon partner is super important to us which is why we are proud to have had such a long-standing relationship with Kao. Being involved with a company who recognises Kirei as the optimal lifestyle plan for their people is in alignment with the shibui way of thinking and for them to be named a corporate Environmental Hero of the Year in 2020 confirms we are walking the same sustainable path together,” Brent said.
“Kao Salon Australia is so thrilled shibui has been recognised globally for their outstanding commitment to sustainability in salon,” added Rita Marcon, General Manager of Kao Salon ANZ. “Brent and shibui lead the way in incorporating best practices in the way they run their salon. From employees, clients and salon partners, sustainability is at the core of all business decisions.”
For more information visit www.shibui.com.au and www.kao.com
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