The Industry

With the help of our trade publications within the nails and beauty industry we are spreading the word about how easy it is to go green, how you can save money at the same time, we submit regular articles on the topic and go up against top brands in tests and trials.

Being green and ethical doesn’t mean putting up with an inferior product. We are winning!! Since 2005 the growth of other businesses in our sector offering genuine organic products is dramatic, we are thrilled to see the industry evolving in a direction we believe in.

Unfortunately there are still some companies turning out the most appallingly toxic products, misleading clients with clever 'Green Wash' and potentially damaging people’s health, we commit to holding our side up and promoting others that do the same.

Education is very important, we are keen to give talks, offer consultancy and advice to anyone wishing to find out more, from students still at college, salons wanting to offer clients a new greener treatment or businesses hoping to roll out natural treatments and products.

Giving a bit back:

We are regularly asked to help out with charity events, we always do something, we aren’t a big enough business to offer cash, but we will offer help and support, ideas, man power and products where we can. We volunteer for local schools, green groups, in bloom groups, gardening groups and support all local events that tie in with our philosophies, we shop locally, and support our local market in the town square, until recently we were there ourselves with a stall all year round.

The individual

Our philosophy is responsible personal care, and one of our fundamental principles is not to cause harm to client, technician or the environment. By listing every ingredient, providing information for all, such as vegan status, animal testing statements, or allergen risk information we hope to protect individuals using products from Green Hands. We spend a lot of time talking with people who have allergies, concerns and worries. Advice and support is available daily by telephone. We pride ourselves on our holistic approach to client care, which extends to our order processing, dispatch and returns policies.

The products

We source locally produced award winning products, usually with a high percentage of organic ingredients. For products where organic just wouldn’t be possible we apply our “best of breed” policy, looking for an ethical supplier who shares our views. We take into account the sourcing of ingredients, the recyclability and materials of packaging used. In some cases we have developed our own products where non existed in the market. We continue to abide by our own rules as we source new and innovative ranges, we of course want to expand our product range and provide clients with choice and variety, the search for good products goes on!

The environment

This is a growing list, but here are the steps we have taken so far to do our bit; In 2012 we succeeded in our 10:10 challenge to reduce our CO2 consumption by 10%. It was a brilliant feeling to achieve this, we did it by reducing vehicle trips for short journeys, replacing towels that had to be boil washed for compostible disposables, saving £'00s at the same time.

We support Green Energy on a dark green tariff for our electric, we recycle and encourage water saving within our business, we can compost all of our waste paper. We have successfully started resource sharing for packaging, another business has our bigger boxes, we collect smaller ones from local firms. Where available we use 100% re-used packaging for mail order. We have sourced FSC paper for printing and stationary, our local printer now uses vegetable based inks. We have installed energy saving measures in the office, lights and machines are off when not in use. No excess gadgetry, only what is efficient and required to run the show. We use recycled paper for consumables aWe work from home so there is no commute; we cycle or walk all local journeys, we use public transport where possible for distance travel on business. We have a more efficient car for those trips we can’t avoid and always try to find more than one use for each journey. We support local green initiatives such as Transition Town and local gardening groups, the management are powered by allotment grown veg and get their exercise walking the kids to school and digging on their allotment! Our business is sustainable, a family business, work stops when the kids are home to allow for a normal life, and we pick up again when they go to bed.