Getting Green

Spring seems like just the right time to talk about growing green. It doesn’t really matter where you are in the process, there are always more ways we can improve our carbon footprint. In the salon environment, there are laws that govern the disinfection processes for various implements and equipment and, of course, chemicals must be utilized to effectively maintain health and safety standards. Beyond compliance, however, there are many things that we can do at Abundance to strive for the green.

To kick off this month’s conversation, I am excited that Diana Zamudio, an interior designer and owner of Green Intention Design, will speak at Abundance at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1. Diana is a wealth of information about designing and building with green practices and materials. If you haven’t yet been to Green Intention Design, you’re missing out … it’s a beautiful showroom in downtown Half Moon Bay, filled with eco-friendly art and accessories for feathering your nest. One of my favorite products is the Fire and Ice dinnerware made from recycled glass. You really must see it to believe it. Hope you will join us for Diana’s presentation.

Since we opened in November 2004, we specialize in leading edge “clean” skin care lines, but only those that eliminate the parabens traditionally used for preservative. Likewise, to avoid chemicals on the skin (did you know that the average person’s skin weighs about 7 pounds?), I prefer to use Epicuren’s Zinc Oxide sunscreen, which is mineral-based and contains none of the toxic chemicals currently used to neutralize UV.

Beyond products, Abundance has made a commitment to avoid burning paraffin-based candles. Instead we use soy candles, also from Epicuren, famous for its purity. We use purified water and organic teas in our refreshments. When we host events, we serve a whole-foods based menu, supporting local farmers and including our favorite, local La Nebbia champagne, which is the official salon sip.

Our housekeeping staff uses earth-friendly cleaning products throughout, and we have converted to recycled paper products in the restroom. Although State regulations require that we use paper towels for hand-drying hygiene, where possible, we use energy-saving light bulbs and grow our own flowers for use in the salon. We recently replaced the laundry equipment with more efficient appliances.

Recent “green” accomplishments were completed just in time for the newsletter … we eliminated the salon printer and now email receipts at the client’s request (thanks to Mike Alifano for that fabulous suggestion!). Many of our clients opt to bring in their own shopping totes to avoid the use of a paper shopping bag. And last, but not least, last week we replaced the company vehicle, an SUV, for a more earth-friendly and spunky Subaru sedan.

So wherever you are, begin there and day by day, we will all do a little more to show respect our valuable resources and preserve this beautiful planet for the future.

Best wishes for a spectacular month of April,

Chrysann Rudig, L.E.
Owner, Esthetician