The best way to gets clients to notice your salon’s commitment to the environment is to get them involved, says Tamara Jercha, president of the National Association of Eco-Friendly Salons & Spas. Jercha suggests sponsoring an incentive program — in the form of a contest — to encourage your guests to take part in your efforts to green the community. Here’s how it works:

Upon arrival, ask each guest if she would like to participate in “Project Green” (or whatever name you would like to use). Give her a card or piece of paper (made of recycled content, of course), have her state one thing she does personally to improve the environment, and place the paper in a bowl. Each month draw a name from that bowl and award your guest with a gift and recognition.

The gift could be a reusable bag displaying your salon’s logo and filled with organic products, biodegradable files, bamboo brushes ... you get the picture. Speaking of pictures, you may want to display a photo of that guest in a frame titled Eco-Guest of the Month. You may even get a local newspaper to do a feature article on how your salon guests are an elite group doing everything they can to improve their environment and their community. By doing this, you will be encouraging others to join your cause, as well as reinforce your image as an environmentally responsible member of the community.

— Judy