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green spas and salons
SPA SPOTLIGHT
BE CHERISHED SALON AND DAY SPA
An Aveda Concept Salon that reflects responsibility and integrity on an individual,
environmental, and professional level.
Contact: Susan Zastoupil, Owner,
Stylist (2012)
be cherished LLC
393 E. Main Street
Ashland, Oregon
www.becherishedashland.com
Facility size: 1890 sq. ft., leased
Number of employees: 8 total; 4 full
time, plus the owner is a stylist.
Number of treatment rooms:
3 hair stations, 1 mani/pedi, 1 massage,
1 esthetics room.
Established in: September 2010: The
owner felt that it was necessary to open
the salon to continue to use the natural
Aveda product line, especially the hair
color. Most of the staff worked at a
former Aveda Day Spa that closed.
Facility Description
The salon is located right on Main Street in a remodeled historical building shared with other businesses.
The facility includes a large retail and front desk area, 1 client comfort zone lounge area, large dispensary/
break room/classroom, and 1 bathroom.
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SPA GOALS AND VISION
What is your green business mission statement?
We are committed to providing personal care, services, and beauty products that reflect responsibility
and integrity on an individual, environmental, and professional level.
What is your spa image?
An Aveda Concept Salon; also that we care, and that clients will be cherished during their service.
What are your sustainability goals?
To continue to reduce waste and water use.
What is important to you regarding sustainability?
To care for the world we live in, using our natural resources with responsibility and integrity. The salon
resonates with Aveda’s mission and philosophy.
What business practices or areas would you like to make more sustainable?
Use less water and recycle more.
What are the challenges in being green?
The inherent nature of using resources such as water and products in the salon.
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Is the staff interested in greening the facility?
Yes, they are all on board with the concept.
What business practices do you think your clients want to see with regard to sustainability?
The Aveda philosophy; practicing responsibility and integrity, recycling, and purchasing recycled products.
Have you seen any positive effects from green practices you have implemented?
n The salon has a good, healthy feeling and atmosphere.
n Additionally, hair color clients have a healthy option for their hair with Aveda color, otherwise they
would not be able to color their hair.
n Product usage has been reduced by measuring the hair color product amount in grams for each
individual client, so this saves product and cost.
n Instead of taking tips, the owner has a jar on the front desk to take donations for the Columbia
Riverkeepers, a nonprofit that supports the health of the Columbia River in Oregon. Be Cherished
raised $1, 400 in one year to support the clean water efforts. Susan says that she feels like it’s helping
give back to offset all the water the salon uses.
What positive benefits do you offer your staff? (health, wellness, incentives)
n Health insurance is a goal once the new business is more solid.
n The owner took the entire staff to Disneyland in 2011 to honor their hard work and the success of
their first year.
n They will also be offering more education beyond the standard Aveda training.
Do you promote your green practices?
The Aveda concepts are naturally green and this is the primary focus. We use education to explain
the importance of plant-based ingredients that are sustainably sourced.
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SPA ELEMENTS
The Menu
n Printed on recycled paper.
n All the services use Aveda products and
protocols.
Products
n Aveda is the original “green” line in the
industry. The company has always been
green and products are now close to 90%
organic.
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The packaging and bottles are glass and
plastic. The plastic is post-consumer
recycled PET and soy ink. Also the bottles
are now lighter for less shipping weight.
The hair color is close to 99% plant-based.
The quality is excellent and lasts.
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green spas and salons
Nails: Switching to Zoya polish.
Retail: The retail area is large and the displays are organized and accessible with eco-friendly signage.
Supplies
n Treatment supplies: Organic cotton linens are laundered on site.
n Cleaning products: Simple GreenTM
n Private treatment rooms: The cotton flannel sheets are from the New Life catalogue.
n Client lounge and reception: Uses vintage furniture.
n Office area: Reclaimed and recycled pieces/furniture.
n Retail area: Aveda bags and Aveda collateral and signage.
Energy
n The salon had an energy review in 2011 from the Southern Oregon Sustainable Business Network.
n Music is Pandora over the Internet, which saves energy (no CD players needed).
HVAC system
n Gas, manual temperature controls.
n Thermostat settings are typically held at 74°F in the summer and 69°F in winter, which saves energy.
n Ventilation system: Filters are regularly maintained and changed every 6 months; ceiling fans
circulate air.
n Appliances: All Energy Star efficiency rated: washer/dryer, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher.
n Hot water heating: Electric.
Type of Lighting
n Fixtures: Flood, fluorescents, and lamps.
n Bulbs: Full spectrum fluorescent, and
CFL bulbs as they need replacing.
n Occupant lighting sensors in the
bathroom.
Water
n Drinking water is filled from Pur® filters
and then put in a standing water cooler
unit.
n Hot water: New electric hot water heater
(chosen because gas is not as much of a
renewable resource as electricity).
n Sinks and faucets have natural low
pressure so no low-flow fixtures needed.
n Installed a dual flush toilet.
n Laundry: A high efficiency washer/dryer.
n Pedicure station has a pipeless foot bath so water is not recycled (Sanijet).
Green Materials
n Interiors, furniture, décor: The majority of the interiors and décor are reused, repurposed, and second
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43
hand finds from thrift stores. The quality is beautiful and does not compromise the look at all. This
saved money and resources.
n The owner tries to buy only what is necessary and is creative in decorating.
n Reception: The front desk and retail area shelves are made of rubber wood from the company Etopa.
n Floors are recycled vinyl tiles. The bathroom floor linoleum was salvaged in the remodel.
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
n Paint used for the remodel is low-VOC paint.
n Sound dampening metal roofing material was used in treatment room ceilings and painted to match
the walls.
n Ventilation, fans: Installed a screen door for fresh air.
n Air fresheners: The Aveda aromatherapy diffuser is used.
Purchasing
n If the quality is there, we always choose recycled products.
n Glass: The client and staff cups are washed in the dishwasher with a sanitation cycle, no disposable
cups are used.
Waste Reduction
n Recycle bins are in back of the building for cardboard and comingling.
n We also recycle plastic lids, returning them to Aveda.
nPaper: Most is recycled, printed on both sides, and reused for more copies or notes.
n Printing: The salon refills ink cartridges.
Landscaping, Exteriors
n The city maintains the outside plants on the sidewalk.
Transportation
n Downtown pedestrian location.
Marketing
n Green features are shared with staff and clients as we are often asked about this.
n The Aveda concepts are the selling points: plant-based formulas and sustainably sourced.
People
n Service trades are encouraged; staff pays a small product cost charge for services.
n Drinking water is filtered.
n The staff is just as important as clients and the owner treats them as coworkers, not employees.
This is why there is such a long term, harmonious staff that have positive relationships with each other.
Green Education
n One staff member acts as a mentor and keeps us on our toes.
n The Aveda training includes green aspects.
n There are reminders in monthly staff meetings to conserve product and to recycle.