Picture a typical day at a typical salon. Many heads of hair are cut, perhaps a few keratin straightening treatments performed, a couple of dye jobs, definitely some highlights -- all of these processes generating waste, and lots of it.

From the plastic shampoo, conditioner and treatment containers to the rubber gloves, the foils, the color tubes and even the hair, salons are nothing if not prolific trash can fillers. And, let's not forget for one second about the incessant chemical stream being sent down the drain every time a head hits the sink.

This is the stuff of Al Gore's nightmares, ladies. Happily, more and more salons are starting to think environmentally when it comes to how they handle their waste. Today's socially and ethically conscious salons are making a concerted effort to responsibly dispose of their refuse.

Leading the way is Chicago's George the Salon, a chi-chi hotspot that has been Green Circle Certified thanks to having implemented a new, comprehensive recycling/reuse initiative and program.

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The salon, owned by stylist George Gonzalez, has long helped give back by funding and working with victims of domestic violence and now, it hopes to lead the way and set the pace where the environmental impact salons make is concerned.

Working with Green Circle, famed for being hell-bent on transparency and honesty in the eco/environmental marketplace, George's will, "Redirect daily waste like hair, foils, color tubes, paper, plastics, and liquid chemicals out of our water streams and landfills, creating environmental accountability in the beauty industry."

Is this something you, like I, think is cool? Next time you're getting your hair done, why not inquire as to how your salon disposes of its waste. You may be able to make a difference by turning them on to something they haven't even thought of.

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