Magazine for the professional nail industry.
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166 | NAILS MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014 NA02 05 14 If you're starting from the ground up, consider building a LEED-certifi ed nail salon. The U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC)'s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (more commonly known as LEED) green building certifi - cation system is the foremost program for the design, construction, and operation of green buildings. If you're interested in building a LEED-certifi ed nail salon, you'll need to hire the right help for your project — a LEED-accredited professional with solid experi- ence. LEED certifi cation is available both for new construction and for remodels, but it does involve a considerable commitment of time and money. Even if you aren't seeking LEED-certifi cation, there are still eco-conscious materials and products you can use in your decor and remodel efforts. If you're repainting or doing touch-ups, for example, use low-or zero- VOC (volatile organic compound) paints. Not only are they environmentally friendlier than conventional paints, they are also low-odor. Examples include Sherwin-Williams' Harmony Interior Latex Low Odor Coatings and Benjamin Moore's Pristine EcoSpec. Celebrity television home improvement host Bob Vila has listed practical suggestions on his website regarding materials for healthy and sustainable building. Included are new materials for fl oors and countertops — such as Paperstone, Sqauk Mountain Stone, and Richelite — that mimic the look of other solid-surface countertops but are made from composite materials like post-consumer recycled paper or plastic resins. These formaldehyde-free materials don't release harmful levels of VOCs into the atmosphere. One of the easiest ways to green your salon is to set up a recycling program for old magazines, glass, plastic, cardboard, and other paper items. Contact the company that handles your trash pick-up and ask about recycling options. You may need to explore your recycling options for other salon items. "Your salon can affi rm its commitment to the earth by recycling items that are not recycled by your local munic- ipality, like rubber gloves, foils, and empty make-up containers," says Jercha. Kim Anton of Anton Designs in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada is a member of the Green Circle salons in Canada. They recycle all the salon's leftover dyes, plastics, paper, and metals. They are limited on how many nail products they can recycle, but they are continuing to grow and may one day be able to handle all the chemicals salons discard. Anton says her salon adds an environmental fee to each service to cover the costs, and her clients gladly pay. BUILDING DISPOSAL Zenka LUXE Nail Salon, Manhattan Beach, Calif. This salon of ers world class salon and spa services while respecting the environment. The entire salon is green with LEED certifi cation pending. The products are organic and all-natural, with some made in-house. All of the beauty products consist of essential oils, natural moisturizers and scrubs, and all natural aromatherapy soaks. They also use clean- ing products that are all formaldehyde-free, paraben-free, and free-trade. >>> E A R T H D A Y H O N O R R O L L n a 0 4 1 4 e c o . i n d d 1 6 6 na0414eco.indd 166 2 / 2 5 / 1 4 3 : 5 9 P M 2/25/14 3:59 PM