One cannot travel too far these days without hearing of the latest business that has “gone green.” Incorporating environmentally conscious ideas into business has caught on in a big way. A recent article in the New York Times reveals that our local spas seem to be headed in the green direction as well.
The growing trend in spas has been to bring in locally grown items to use in a number of their treatments and upping the price tag deeming it environmentally friendly. According to the International Spa Association more than 28 percent of spas nationwide used local ingredients last year.
Though some spas have included indigenous items in their treatments for many years, the trend is now growing with a greater demand from customers. Spa-goers around the world are willing to pay more for certain services if they are believed to be environmentally responsible.
The idea of any company taking steps to lighten their carbon footprint sounds great, but of course there are some critics who feel their heart may not be in the right place. Jessica Jensen, founder of an online resource to help consumers live eco-friendly (Low Impact Living), believes there are two kinds of companies, “ones that are genuinely dedicated to these issues and incorporate them into every aspect of their business, and then other companies trying to put a varnish on their business in the form of putting a few green techniques here and there.”
Whether spa owners are truly activists for the environment or just out to make an extra buck off the latest “organic”, “locally grown” buzz words they are coming up with increasingly creative offerings on their menus. Many look to local vineyards, deserts, and rock formations to come up with the new body wrap or manicure.
One Pittsburgh spa attempts to attract clients to their $140 “Stimulating Hot Cocoa Facial” by doling out edible chocolate treats in the waiting room. Though this particular spa boasts the use of using chocolate from a local ice cream shop, it leaves out the part about importing the cocoa beans from Africa. Woops.
What do you think of the new trend in spas to go green?
Would you dole out the extra cash for a more environmentally friendly spa treatment?
I will support any business that is trying to be more environmentally responsible. It's the same if you go to your local farmer's market for food. You may pay a bit more but it's certainly worth it!
ntotsch::
on Aug 27, 2008
While i think its great that we're all trying to be more environmentally conscious, there's no way i would pay $140 for a hot cocoa facial. lol --I think some companies are using it to their advantage way too much-- Being organic should save us money, not cost us more. --If it was only a few dollars difference and i really thought their heart was in it, then yea, I'd do it. But I'm not supporting someone who's price gouging. --I"ll stick with my $35 hour massage.
Granilithe86::
on Aug 27, 2008
I'm all for companies going green. I would pay more, but not an insane amount more. Just like when grocery shopping, I will pay a few dollars more for organic or green based products, but I will not pay twice as much for it. Though I will admit, if I had the money, I absolutely would.
scooter64::
on Aug 27, 2008
Ok folks, I am all for trips to the SPA and being pampered. I also hope that more SPA's will be using locally grown and/or organic products, and be enviormentily friendly. Personally,I thinks some SPA's are in it for the money. Most don't even appear to be dedicated to the health aspect of what a good SPA should really be. If a SPA wants to establish a very solid "green" business they need to be able to provide their services with high quality, in a cost effective manner using some creativity, being inovative and having some imagination. All the "frills" of some SPA's are not actually on the healthy side.
lynnkendo::
on Aug 27, 2008
Sounds like a luxury I would love but unfortunately on my budget it is not possible. But, I certainly like and appreciate any company going green. Although I might be to old to literally see a difference in my lifetime, I have children and grandchildren who hopefully will see the changes and effects.
ahadaway::
on Aug 27, 2008
I think that people are just under educated about what "going green" really means and they are just trying to jump on the band wagon. Every effort helps if it is made for the right reasons but using these efforts to make more "green" just seems so unjust.
1hotlilmama::
on Aug 28, 2008
No, I wouldn't pay more. I would rather spend my money on the same products and have a "spa day" at home with my girl friends then pay $140 for 1 hour at some spa out for more money. We do these spa days about every four months or whenever one of us is going through a bad time and needs a lift. It costs about $30 per person for all the goodies and after doing about three we had everything we needed...now we just pick up extra lotions and little things like that when we need them. We all invested in big fluffy robes, nice slippers, expensive nail polish and lotions and save it all for our spa days.
I agree with ahadaway that most people just want to jump on the band wagon and don't really know what it means to "go green". A lot of the spas just want to be seen as doing something good, even if they don't know how to go about doing it. The hope is that most of them are doing it for our planet and not for the extra money it might bring them.
blueblueskies::
on Aug 28, 2008
I make an effort to support businesses that are making an effort to go green. It can be difficult sometimes to discern actual commitment to environmental concerns versus 'green washing.' However, even if a company is not perfectly green, I still like to support them if they are at least taking strides toward becoming more environmentally friendly.
softballhead8::
on Aug 28, 2008
I LOVE the idea of going green. Whether it's "trendy" or not right now, it is still the right thing to do for the earth. I know it is an important issue in today's world (as it should be!) and I am happy to see that It is becoming more and more popular in the local buisness world, too. I am also very happy to pay a little more and support local buisness/ the environment!
kyokun::
on Aug 29, 2008
THE GREENER A COMPANY BECOMES THE BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, AND IT COMES TO ENVIRONMENT MONEY DOES NOT MATTER.
