Sustainability In The Salon Industry Statistics 2026

Global energy efficiency and climate rules are reshaping salon decisions faster than many realize, especially as over 5,000 companies had SBTi targets approved or submitted as of 2024 and building energy demand keeps climbing. At the same time, the waste trail shifts upstream from the bin to the source, where packaging and supply chain materials linked to distributed retail products add hidden load. This post connects those pressures to regulations and certification systems that salons actually feel, from EU single use plastic and packaging targets to Safer Choice and chemical controls.

Key Takeaways

15% of global food is lost or wasted between harvest and retail, but packaging and supply-chain materials used for distributed consumer products contribute to waste upstream; this supports life-cycle waste reduction logic for salon retail sourcing
A 2021 US EPA study on waste characterization indicates that textiles comprise a significant portion of MSW; salons produce textiles (towels, capes), so textile diversion is material to waste reduction
In the US, textile recycling rate remains low relative to total textile waste generated, emphasizing opportunity for salons to increase reuse/recycling of service textiles
The EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/904) restricts specific single-use plastic products, including certain items that salons may use (e.g., plastic-straw-like items in service contexts), affecting compliance obligations
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (Directive (EU) 94/62/EC) establishes targets and requirements for packaging waste management that apply to packaging sold and used by retailers including salons
California’s SB 54 (2016) requires a reduction in single-use packaging and establishes mandatory requirements for food-related packaging and businesses; salon retail packaging can be subject to similar packaging reduction pressures
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) REACH authorisation list is maintained through the ECHA website; by reducing use of certain substances of very high concern, salons relying on product formulations are indirectly affected via chemical supply constraints
The EU CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 governs classification, labelling and packaging of hazardous chemicals; salon product labelling is required to comply, supporting safer product selection and handling
The US EPA’s Safer Choice program identifies cleaning and chemical products that meet health and environmental criteria; salons using products certified by Safer Choice can reduce hazards compared with non-certified alternatives
A 2018 IEA report states that energy efficiency improvements globally can reduce emissions by ~1/3 of expected growth to 2040; salon energy efficiency actions (HVAC, lighting) contribute to this mitigation pathway
The IPCC AR6 indicates that demand-side measures can reduce emissions by lowering energy services intensity; this supports the rationale for energy-efficiency measures in commercial spaces like salons
The IEA’s Global Energy Review 2023 reports electricity demand growth of 2.5% in 2022 globally, showing demand drivers that salons can manage via efficiency
The UK government’s conversion factor guidance indicates an electricity emissions factor used for calculating business carbon footprints, enabling salons to compute emissions from kWh consumption
The UK government publishes annual greenhouse gas reporting conversion factors, including electricity and natural gas factors, used to calculate Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions for organizations
In 2023, Microsoft’s analysis of scope 3 emissions indicates that purchased goods and services are often the largest share of a company’s footprint; for salon brands this elevates the importance of sustainable product sourcing

Salon retail waste and emissions can drop with compliant packaging, safer chemicals, and smarter energy efficiency.

01 · Category

Waste & Materials3 stats

15% of global food is lost or wasted between harvest and retail, but packaging and supply-chain materials used for distributed consumer products contribute to waste upstream; this supports life-cycle waste reduction logic for salon retail sourcing

A 2021 US EPA study on waste characterization indicates that textiles comprise a significant portion of MSW; salons produce textiles (towels, capes), so textile diversion is material to waste reduction

In the US, textile recycling rate remains low relative to total textile waste generated, emphasizing opportunity for salons to increase reuse/recycling of service textiles

Interpretation

Waste & Materials Interpretation

For the Waste & Materials category, salons can make a real impact because textiles are a major part of municipal solid waste and with the US textile recycling rate still low compared with total textile waste, improving reuse and recycling of salon service textiles like towels and capes can directly reduce waste across the value chain.

02 · Category

Policy & Regulation7 stats

The EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/904) restricts specific single-use plastic products, including certain items that salons may use (e.g., plastic-straw-like items in service contexts), affecting compliance obligations

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (Directive (EU) 94/62/EC) establishes targets and requirements for packaging waste management that apply to packaging sold and used by retailers including salons

California’s SB 54 (2016) requires a reduction in single-use packaging and establishes mandatory requirements for food-related packaging and businesses; salon retail packaging can be subject to similar packaging reduction pressures

The EU’s Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) establishes the waste hierarchy (prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling, recovery, disposal), guiding operational choices for salons

The EU Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) sets requirements aiming to improve product sustainability across the lifecycle, affecting products used and sold by salons

The EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan includes a target that by 2030, at least 70% of EU municipal waste should be prepared for reuse and recycling, affecting end-of-life pathways relevant to salon waste

The EU’s Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) sets targets to reduce landfilling; diversion from landfill of salon-generated waste contributes to compliance trajectory

Interpretation

Policy & Regulation Interpretation

Under Policy & Regulation, salons are increasingly shaped by EU and state-level rules that push waste and packaging reductions hard, including the EU goal of having at least 70% of municipal waste prepared for reuse or recycling by 2030, alongside tighter controls from directives like the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive.

03 · Category

Compliance & Chemistry6 stats

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) REACH authorisation list is maintained through the ECHA website; by reducing use of certain substances of very high concern, salons relying on product formulations are indirectly affected via chemical supply constraints

The EU CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 governs classification, labelling and packaging of hazardous chemicals; salon product labelling is required to comply, supporting safer product selection and handling

The US EPA’s Safer Choice program identifies cleaning and chemical products that meet health and environmental criteria; salons using products certified by Safer Choice can reduce hazards compared with non-certified alternatives

The ISO 14064-1 standard provides guidance for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals for organizations, enabling consistent salon carbon accounting approaches

The EU Ecolabel Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 establishes criteria for environmental labels; products with the EU Ecolabel can be a purchasing signal for salons seeking lower impact goods

ECHA lists restrictions under REACH that can apply to hazardous chemicals in mixtures, affecting what ingredients can be supplied to downstream product markets used in salons

Interpretation

Compliance & Chemistry Interpretation

For the Compliance & Chemistry angle, the big trend is that since REACH restrictions and hazardous-chemical rules like EU CLP and ECHA listings shape what salons can realistically source and how products must be labeled, compliance is directly steering safer ingredient availability and purchasing choices, rather than salons acting on sustainability chemistry in isolation.

04 · Category

Energy & Emissions5 stats

A 2018 IEA report states that energy efficiency improvements globally can reduce emissions by ~1/3 of expected growth to 2040; salon energy efficiency actions (HVAC, lighting) contribute to this mitigation pathway

The IPCC AR6 indicates that demand-side measures can reduce emissions by lowering energy services intensity; this supports the rationale for energy-efficiency measures in commercial spaces like salons

The IEA’s Global Energy Review 2023 reports electricity demand growth of 2.5% in 2022 globally, showing demand drivers that salons can manage via efficiency

The IEA estimates that buildings account for about 30% of final energy consumption globally, making commercial building efficiency relevant for salons

The IEA reports that heat pumps can produce 3–5 times more energy than they consume (COP), supporting salon HVAC electrification as a decarbonization pathway

Interpretation

Energy & Emissions Interpretation

For the Energy and Emissions category, the key trend is that energy efficiency and cleaner electrification can meaningfully cut salon emissions because global improvements could offset about a third of expected growth by 2040 and heat pumps can deliver 3 to 5 times more energy than they use.

05 · Category

Carbon Accounting5 stats

The UK government’s conversion factor guidance indicates an electricity emissions factor used for calculating business carbon footprints, enabling salons to compute emissions from kWh consumption

The UK government publishes annual greenhouse gas reporting conversion factors, including electricity and natural gas factors, used to calculate Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions for organizations

In 2023, Microsoft’s analysis of scope 3 emissions indicates that purchased goods and services are often the largest share of a company’s footprint; for salon brands this elevates the importance of sustainable product sourcing

The GHG Protocol Corporate Standard describes Scope 1 and Scope 2 accounting boundaries used for climate inventories, forming the basis for emissions calculations in salon operations

The UK Government’s Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors include emissions factors for natural gas and electricity, enabling consistent calculation of Scope 1 and Scope 2 for salon premises

Interpretation

Carbon Accounting Interpretation

For carbon accounting in salon operations, the availability of UK government electricity and natural gas conversion factors and GHG Protocol Scope 1 and 2 boundaries means emissions from kWh and gas use can be calculated consistently, while Microsoft’s 2023 insight that purchased goods and services are often the largest share of Scope 3 highlights that sustainable product sourcing must also be captured for a fuller footprint.

06 · Category

Reporting & Targets7 stats

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) reports that as of 2024, over 5,000 companies had targets approved or submitted; salons and salon brand owners can align to these climate frameworks

EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires sustainability reporting for many large and listed companies; this increases downstream pressure on suppliers, including beauty brands sold in salons

The US SEC Climate-related Disclosure rules were finalized (for large filers) with compliance dates established; this can drive climate-related reporting expectations affecting salon-brand supply chains

The EU Taxonomy Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2020/852) provides a framework for sustainable economic activities, influencing capital and reporting expectations for businesses across value chains including beauty retail

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reports that thousands of organizations use its standards; this indicates widespread adoption of sustainability reporting frameworks usable by salon groups

The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) expands reporting requirements to more companies, increasing supply-chain reporting pressure on beauty brands that salons purchase from

The UN Global Compact notes that more than 12,000 companies and 3,000+ non-business participants report or commit to sustainability principles, signaling mainstreaming of ESG expectations across sectors

Interpretation

Reporting & Targets Interpretation

With more than 5,000 companies already having Science Based Targets approved or submitted and reporting regimes expanding through CSRD and SEC climate disclosures, sustainability reporting and targets are becoming mainstream and are likely to push salon brands and their supply chains toward clearer, measurable climate commitments.

Sustainability In IndustrySustainability In The Restaurant Industry Statistics

07 · Category

Industry Trends2 stats

A 2021 peer-reviewed study in Environmental Science & Technology reported that product take-back and reuse can reduce environmental impacts compared with single-use; this supports salon reuse programs such as laundering reusable capes where feasible

The OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct (2018) supports risk-based due diligence in supply chains, influencing how brands sold by salons assess environmental and human-rights risks

Interpretation

Industry Trends Interpretation

Industry trends are moving toward practical, measurable circularity and responsible sourcing, since a 2021 Environmental Science & Technology peer-reviewed study found that product take back and reuse can cut impacts versus single use and OECD’s 2018 due diligence guidance encourages salons and the brands they sell to manage supply chain environmental and human rights risks.

08 · Category

Water Use & Chemicals1 stats

The Water Footprint Network defines ‘water footprint’ as a multi-dimensional indicator of water use (blue, green, grey), enabling product and process water accounting that salons can apply to product sourcing and service water use

Interpretation

Water Use & Chemicals Interpretation

By defining a multi-dimensional water footprint that tracks blue, green, and grey water, the Water Footprint Network gives salons a clear way to measure and manage the water use side of sustainability in their service processes and chemical related product sourcing.

09 · Category

Customer And Brand Pressure1 stats

70% of respondents in a 2022 McKinsey survey said they are willing to pay a price premium for sustainable products

Interpretation

Customer And Brand Pressure Interpretation

In the customer and brand pressure space, 70% of respondents in a 2022 McKinsey survey said they are willing to pay a price premium for sustainable products, showing strong consumer demand is pushing salons toward sustainability.

10 · Category

Workplace Chemicals2 stats

The EU’s Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) requires authorization for biocidal active substances used in disinfectants, with all active substances and products assessed under the BPR framework (authorization is mandatory before market placing)

The US EPA’s Safer Choice program includes 49 cleaning products in the “cleaning and sanitizing” category as of the latest public catalog update (count displayed on EPA Safer Choice product listing page)

Interpretation

Workplace Chemicals Interpretation

In workplace chemicals, regulators are tightening control on sanitizing ingredients with the EU requiring BPR authorization before any biocidal active substances and products can be placed on the market, while in the US only 49 cleaning and sanitizing products currently carry EPA Safer Choice approval.

11 · Category

Waste And Recycling1 stats

In the EU, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive sets collection and recovery targets of 65% average re-use/recycling for WEEE categories (policy target; applicable when salons replace electrical appliances such as hair dryers)

Interpretation

Waste And Recycling Interpretation

In the Waste and Recycling category, the EU’s WEEE Directive pushes salons toward recycling and reusing electrical items, setting a 65% average re-use or recycling target whenever appliances like hair dryers are replaced.

12 · Category

Market And Procurement4 stats

The market for sustainable packaging is projected to reach $469.5 billion globally by 2030 (Fortune Business Insights forecast)

The global green beauty market is projected to reach $25.7 billion by 2028 (IMARC Group forecast)

The global cosmetics market is forecast to reach $463.5 billion by 2030 (Fortune Business Insights cosmetics market forecast)

The global hair care market is forecast to reach $119.0 billion by 2032 (Grand View Research forecast)

Interpretation

Market And Procurement Interpretation

With the sustainable packaging market forecast to hit $469.5 billion by 2030 and the green beauty market rising to $25.7 billion by 2028, salons are likely to face rapidly expanding supply-demand pressure that will make procurement decisions for sustainable materials increasingly central.

Reference

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APA

Margot Villeneuve. (2026, February 13). Sustainability In The Salon Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-salon-industry-statistics

MLA

Margot Villeneuve. "Sustainability In The Salon Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-salon-industry-statistics.

Chicago

Margot Villeneuve. 2026. "Sustainability In The Salon Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-salon-industry-statistics.