Check out what some Zero Waste Action Team (ZWAT) members are doing to reduce waste at: Local Zero Heroes!

Natural Habit
Here are some of our waste reduction initiatives:

• use a programmable thermostat
• use fluorescent light bulbs
• are in the process of getting a vermicomposter set up
• use eco-friendly cleaning products
• do not provide plastic bags: recycled paper or cotton totes instead
• offer gift wrapping that is re-usable or recyclable
• use paper made of recycled Canadian content and minimize use of receipts
• choose Canadian suppliers to reduce our carbon footprint
• choose suppliers who can provide bulk, recyclable or glass packaging for our skin care products

• installed air curtains over our receiving doors (keeps out cold air)
• timers on all our fans in the washrooms
• motion sensors for our lights in warehouse aisles.
• just retrofitted our warehouse lighting to energy saving T5 fluorescent fixtures(324w & 162w) to replace 400w & 250w Hibay fixtures.
• installed thermal parking lot controllers for receptacles (block heaters) with potential savings of 40-65% of energy
• put blue boxes for every work station and in warehouse.
• use cardboard recycle bin from ReCool, cuts our garbage pickup to a third.

• When you bring in your empty Paul Mitchell shampoo & conditioner bottles, you can refill your empties, and save $1.50 per bottle!
• The Paul Mitchell Tea Tree line funds the planting of enough trees through American Forests to offset all carbon emissions from the brand's manufacture and distribution. In addition, a portion of the sales of all Tea Tree products will also fund American Forests' Global ReLeaf and Wildfire ReLeaf programs to further preserve our natural resources at home and abroad
• We use email notifications, as opposed to a snail mailing notifications
• We utilize every inch of paper, front and back, before it goes in the recycling bin
• We recycle everything, from empty color boxes and bottles to paper products and more, and have only thrown out two bags of garbage since our grand opening day, July 8th, 2008 (3 months)
• All of the hair that we cut will be either donated (to replicate human hair wigs, if the hair is 6" or longer), or it will be composted, or it will be used to make mats to clean up oil spills on beaches (visit Matter Of Trust for more information)
• We offer hand towels in the washroom, instead of paper towel
• We are in the middle of switching all of our bookkeeping methods into electronic versions of the same methods
• We use natural cleaning products, such as vinegar and baking soda, to clean our salon
• We unplug hot tools to save energy
• We wash only full loads of towels
• We are mindful of water usage at the back bar, and turn off the water in between tasks at the shampoo area
• Instead of single use coffee creamers and sugar we keep our supplies in bulk containers, and instead of bottled water, we use a Brita filter for tap water as our substitute.
• Plastic cutlery is NOT an option in our staff lunch room
• We only mix only what we need when formulating at our Color Bar
• We exercise "reusable" items as opposed to "disposable" items to cut down on waste
• We furnished the salon with second hand and refurbished equipment from Habitat For Humanity's ReStore. Visit the website
• We stagger our initial energy demand by waiting to 15 to 20 minutes in between turning on lights, A/C, and computer

• collect fruit and vegetable pulp and peelings to give to a local gardener for composting.
• recycle all cardboard and boxboard.

• We have expanded our recycling program through all departments, recycling all paper, plastics, and metals, diverting significant amounts of materials from the landfill.
• So far we have changed over 80% of our cleaning products to environmentally friendly products and are continuing to work at increasing this number.
• Reduced our annual paper towel consumption by nearly 400 rolls.
• We are using bio-degradable garbage bags.
• We will soon be using mop heads made from recycled plastic bottles.
• Using energy efficient lights.
• Our restaurant will soon be switching to environmentally friendly take out containers.

• offer financial incentives to employees to walk, cycle or take transit to work.
• use paper and biodegradable bags, and provide incentives to customers to bring their own bags.
• turn thermostat down in winter and up in summer to reduce energy waste.
• use E-cloths for cleaning glass, reducing the need for cleaners or paper towels.
• reuse and recycle packaging whenever possible.
• clean up litter around the store on a daily basis.