Earth Day, Every Day

Our Commitment to Sustainability All Year Round at McGills Hairdressing in Edinburgh

At McGills Hairdressing, caring for your hair and caring for the planet go hand in hand. While Earth Day is a great reminder each year, our approach is simple. Sustainability is part of everything we do, every single day in the salon.

From the products we choose to the way we manage waste, every detail has been carefully considered with both your hair and the environment in mind.

Recognised as One of the UK’s Leading Green Salons

Our commitment to sustainability is not just something we talk about. It is being recognised more widely too.

McGills Hairdressing has been highlighted by Google’s AI search results as one of the top eco-friendly salons in the UK, alongside other leading names in sustainable hairdressing. This reflects the consistent work we put into reducing waste, improving efficiency and making more responsible choices across the salon.

It is a simple but powerful sign that what we are doing every day really does make a difference.

UK's most sustainable hair salon McGills Hairdressing Edinburgh
Our Sustainable Salon Promise

We believe that great hair should never come at a cost to the planet. That is why sustainability is woven into the day-to-day running of our Edinburgh salon.

Our commitment includes:

  • Using in-salon refill systems to reduce packaging waste
  • Choosing cruelty-free and vegan-friendly products
  • Working with renewable energy suppliers
  • Using LED lighting to reduce energy consumption
  • Reducing single-use plastics wherever possible

These are not one-off changes. They are part of a long-term commitment to doing things properly.

Where Your £1 Green Fee Goes

You may have noticed a small £1 Green Fee added to your appointment. This is not just an extra charge. It directly supports how we responsibly manage salon waste.

Through our partnership with Green Salon Collective, this fee helps us recycle materials that would usually end up in landfill.

Here is what that looks like:

  • Hair clippings are turned into mats used to clean up oil spills or are composted
  • Used foils, colour tubes and metals are recycled into new materials
  • Excess colour and chemicals are safely removed to protect waterways
  • Previously unrecyclable waste is repurposed

Thanks to this, we are able to recycle and repurpose up to 95% of our salon waste.

Green Salon Collective in Edinburgh

Turning Waste Into Something Positive

The beauty of working with Green Salon Collective is that almost nothing is wasted without purpose.

Everything from hair to metals is transformed into something useful. It is a simple idea, but the impact is significant. Instead of contributing to landfill, your visit helps support environmental solutions that go far beyond the salon.

Supporting Charities Through Sustainability

This initiative also supports a number of important charities. Any profits made through recycling go directly to organisations doing meaningful work.

These include:

  • FoodCycle
  • Haircuts4Homeless
  • Mossy Earth

So your appointment helps support both environmental and community-focused causes.

Conscious Choices With Professional Products

We are proud to use Davines, a certified B Corporation known for its commitment to sustainable beauty.

These products are:

  • Free from harsh sulphates and parabens
  • Made using renewable energy
  • Designed to minimise environmental impact
  • Created with naturally derived ingredients

It means you can enjoy healthy, beautiful hair while making a more conscious choice.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Sustainability is often about small, consistent choices that add up over time.

From biodegradable towels that reduce water usage to innovative water-saving technology at our backwash, every decision plays a part in reducing our environmental impact.

Individually, these steps may seem small. Together, they create a more responsible salon experience.

A Greener Future for Hairdressing in Edinburgh

At McGills, we are always looking for ways to improve and do more. Sustainability is not a finished project. It is an ongoing commitment. So while Earth Day may come once a year, the impact of your visit lasts far beyond your appointment.

When you sit in our chair, you are not just investing in your hair. You are supporting a salon that is working to protect the world around us. If you are looking for beautiful, professional hair services with a more conscious approach, we would love to welcome you into the salon.

Book your appointment online or call the salon on 0131 228 8882 and be part of something a little bigger.