C.G. Frestyle and Co., located at 113 College St in Burlington, is a hair salon with an attitude: what is good for the environment is also good for their customers. From the selection of hair care products, to the purchase of recycled-content paper products, to recycling waste, to composting of hair, to the use of energy efficient lighting, C.G. Frestyle and Co. has made it a standard policy to consider environmental factors when making business decisions. To learn how to maximize their waste reduction efforts, Charlie Billings and Gretchen Duell, partners at C.G. Frestyle and Co., requested a free waste assessment from CSWD's Business Outreach program last spring.

Charlie and Gretchen have worked hard to offer their customers the best while making the best choice for the environment. The hair care products they use and sell are selected for superior quality and factors such as recyclable packaging and humane and environmental product development.

All paper products used at C.G. Frestyle and Co. come from Seventh Generation. These products have a high post-consumer recycled content and are made without harmful chlorine bleaches. Businesses who take the time to seek out products with a post- consumer content are "closing the loop" by creating a demand for products made from materials collected in municipal recycling programs.

During the summer months, hair is saved for customers to use in their gardens to discourage deer. Still left with hair waste in the winter months, Charlie was excited to learn about a project where hair is collected for use in mats made to absorb oil in accidental spills. Charlie researched the project and is planning to implement collection of hair beginning in May. "Here is a waste reduction project that will save us money in disposal costs, while providing a product designed to clean up the environment," says Charlie. "Once the hair collection is underway, we plan to encourage other salons to participate too."

As a small business that generates minimal waste, C.G. Frestyle and Co. uses the Burlington City curbside blue box collection program for recyclable containers and paper. All Cycle Waste, Inc collects the cardboard they generate from a recycling container shared with neighboring businesses.

Even the little things count. When it comes to coffee and take out lunches, reusable containers are used whenever possible. Packing peanuts are collected for reuse and delivered to a shipping company. Foil used to apply hair highlights is collected for recycling. Charlie and Gretchen have reduced the amount of unwanted catalogs and junk mail received in their shop by notifying Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, PO Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735, 212-768-7277.

A small business can make a big difference. Chittenden County boasts over six thousand businesses, and the vast majority of these employ less than 20 people. Imagine the impact if other small businesses followed the lead set by Charlie and Gretchen at C.G. Frestyle and Co.