An eco-friendly hair salon has opened in Norwich, promising high quality treatment which is better for the planet.
Rebecca Read has opened The Moss Project salon in Woburn Court off Guildhall Hill.
The salon will use dyes which are biodegradable, meaning that as they wash out the chemicals do not stay in the water supply.
Ms Read will also use specialised reusable paper instead of foils, and has purchased specially adapted taps which use air flow to increase water pressure but use less water.
MORE: Cafe and garden nursery Urban Jungle is now dog friendlyShe is also going to be having a hot bin for waste hair and products which will be recycled to use as plant compost.
She said: "I had this idea because I wanted to go plastic-free in my own life. I was working at another salon at the time - I place I really loved - but it's difficult to be eco-friendly when you're not in your own space."
Ms Read has spent £20,000 setting up her salon, and has employed local carpenters to use reclaimed wood on the interiors, as well as up-cycling high-end chairs.
She said: "Being sustainable is a learning curve. Sometimes I think I'm doing well but then realise that another thing I'm doing is contradictory. I think you just have to do your best."
But Ms Read is determined that being eco-friendly will not result in lower standards.
She said: "I really researched the quality of products we used here as I wanted to have something that really worked as well as being good for the environment - which can be quite difficult.
"I'm going to have a few different brands here. One of them is Davines which is 98% natural and the colours are biodegradable. There's a fine line between the product working, as well as looking and smelling nice, and being good for the environment."
Ms Read will also have 100% natural products on offer, some of which she makes herself.
"I make my own shampoo and conditioner," she said. "It's just something I started experimenting with after I took a couple of courses. These will be on offer to clients and sometimes I put some essential oil in - I normally use peppermint because it's really cleansing and refreshing."
The Moss Project opens today.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here