Single-use products are at the heart of the modern salon. They keep services hygienic, streamline the client experience, and save busy teams valuable time. But with sustainability now a key issue in the UK hair and beauty industry, many salon owners are asking: what’s the real impact of single-use, and how can we make smarter choices?
This blog explores the facts, busts the myths, and highlights how you can keep all the benefits of single-use while reducing your environmental footprint.
Why Salons Rely on Single-Use
The UK salon industry is fast-paced and client-focused. Towels, capes, foils, wipes, and more are used every day to keep services efficient and professional.
- Hygiene: Clients expect fresh, clean products for every service.
- Convenience: Staff need tools that save time.
- Professional finish: Single-use items ensure consistency, quality, and client confidence.
In short: single-use isn’t going anywhere — but how we choose single-use products can make all the difference.
The Environmental Picture
According to UK hairdressing reports, salons generate significant textile waste each year, much of it from cotton towels and fabric capes that require constant washing. A single load of towels can use up to 50 litres of water — not including detergent, electricity, and staff time. Multiply that by several loads a day, and the environmental and financial costs mount quickly.
Traditional single-use plastics are also problematic, with the UK government already introducing bans on certain disposable items. The question for salons becomes: what alternatives exist that still deliver hygiene and convenience without unnecessary waste?
Myths About Single-Use
“It’s Cheaper”
At first glance, traditional disposables or fabric laundry might seem economical. But once you factor in water bills, detergent, energy, laundry staff, and waste removal, costs quickly add up. Many salons that switch to sustainable single-use report saving up to 90% on laundry costs.
“It’s More Hygienic”
Hygiene is non-negotiable in salons. But disposable doesn’t always mean better if products aren’t fit for purpose. Scrummi products are 100% plant-based, biodegradable, and clinically clean for single use — ensuring hygiene while keeping sustainability in mind.
Smarter Alternatives: Sustainable Single-Use
Forward-thinking salons are rethinking disposables by choosing sustainable single-use products. Scrummi’s range is designed specifically for salon life:
- Scrummi Hair Towels (ESSENTIAL / LUXE): Ultra-absorbent, single-use, and biodegradable — saving water and laundry time.
- Scrummi Salon Capes: Hygienic, biodegradable, and luxurious without the laundry. Clients love the fresh feel, and salons love the space, time, and cost savings.
- Scrummi Hair Colour Removal Wipes: Quick, effective, and eco-friendly.
- Scrummi Spa & Body Towels / Sheets: Lightweight, fresh for every service, and kinder to the planet.
- Scrummi Facial Towels, Mitts & Headbands: Perfect for facials and beauty treatments.
Why UK Salons Are Making the Switch
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword — it’s driving client choices. A 2023 UK survey found that over 65% of clients prefer businesses with clear eco-credentials. By switching to biodegradable single-use products, salons not only reduce their footprint but also:
- Save staff time on endless laundry cycles.
- Free up storage space.
- Cut utility bills and detergent costs.
- Build stronger client loyalty by demonstrating eco leadership.
The truth is, single-use isn’t the problem — wasteful single-use is. With Scrummi, you keep all the convenience and hygiene of single-use, while reducing your environmental impact and saving money. That’s a win for your salon, your staff, your clients, and the planet.
Ready to make the switch? Explore Scrummi’s full sustainable single-use range
