Dernier CRI Hair Group, Fanshawe College’s new hair salon in Innovation Village, is dedicated to fighting beauty waste and climate change. Dernier CRI Hair Group co-owner Deborah Evans wanted to make a difference as she recognized the beauty industry’s environmental impact.

“A lot of the things that we do in a salon end up in landfill sites,” Evans said. “Especially hair. Hair is something that does not biodegrade easily.”

She learned about an organization called Green Circle Salons approximately 15 years ago, which was one of the main inspirations for Dernier CRI Hair Group.

Green Circle Salons is an organization that helps salons and spas to be greener, more profitable, clientele- oriented, and cost-effective in an easy-to-use, ethical manner.

“This organization created a way for us to be able to recycle pretty much every single thing we use in the salon,” Evans said.

Evans said all the foils they use, and hair cut from people’s heads are recycled. She added that even the colour that is left over, instead of washing down the drains, they send away to be appropriately disposed of so that they are not potentially damaging their water supply.

“Globally, we are starting to want to make more of an awareness of our environmental impact every day,” Evans said. “What we eat, how we live our lives at home, and the businesses surrounding us are changing.”

She said that the general consumers appreciate businesses that recognize the importance of the environment and try to be more sustainable.

“All the products that we bring in and use in the salon are made of recycled packaging,” Evans said. “They are all vegan product ingredients as well as cruelty-free animal products. That calls to what the demand is now in the consumer place.”

Evans said clients have been very receptive to their initiatives since they opened.

“It is not inexpensive by any means to do this. It costs a lot to be at the forefront of sustainability,” Evans said. “That is the cost of trying to be different and make an impact in what we offer.”

Evans said she would love for this to be what salons look at and try to mimic. She wants everything they do to be an experience for customers.

“I want them to enjoy coming here,” Evans said. “When you come to do something for yourself, you want it to be an enjoyable experience.”

She said that they know the majority of customers they have are students. That is why they have tried to keep every service price affordable.

“We have studied the beauty market surrounding Fanshawe College and tried to stay just under those average costs while still being competitive,” Evans said.

Evans said that it is not only affordable but convenient, too. She added that students no longer need to get off campus for a haircut or a specific hairstyle.

“Hopefully, we can keep all of the students and faculty feeling like they have everything they want on campus,” Evans said.

Evans said that everyone who works at the salon is a professional stylist.

“It is a professional salon. We also offer apprenticeships for stylists who have finished school,” Evans said. “That is a sign that we want to grow stylist strength.”