More Green To Go Green In the Spa

   By drodriguez  Aug 27, 2008
18

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?
 

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Comments
survive50 by survive50 | Taylor, TX
Sep 18, 2008

Going green is great. I would pay some more but not a lot. A spa is a luxury

kperkins by kperkins | Park City, KY
Sep 13, 2008

Going green is such an easy thing, I commend those businesses that attempt to make our environment healthier.

kgoodman by kgoodman | Orlando, FL
Sep 05, 2008

I definitely like the idea of organic/natural products. I feed my son almost all organic foods. However, I do not like the current trend of companies capitalizing on people's desire for a better environment. What good are organic products if no one but the elite can afford them? I think what needs to be focused on is making organic/natural products more widely available and and cost effective. A person making minimum wage does not have the luxury to choose the more expensive items that may be better for the environment - they have to choose what will be able to sustain their family and give them the best value.

Aside from that, I am indifferent to the services offered at spas and salons.

ntraldzigns by ntraldzigns | Palm Bay, FL
Sep 05, 2008

I also have a blod that I have to get back into but if anyone is interested and would like to post products or articles its EcoSistas.ning.com

ntraldzigns by ntraldzigns | Palm Bay, FL
Sep 05, 2008

I agree being organic should cost less not more I myself am a licensed cosmetologist looking to incorporate green products in the salon. Eventually I want to open my own Natural Spa using organic ingredients that dont cost alot with the economy the way it is, we should be thinking along those lines of lowering product costs

Salemsw by Salemsw | Millbury, MA
Aug 31, 2008

I am all for going green!! I went to a spa and had a seaweed wrap--It was great - the women was saying how the spa was going green--etc-etc..but then she put Saran wrap over the seaweed on my body--so how is that going green???

jennfc24 by jennfc24 | CLARENDON HLS, IL
Aug 29, 2008

As a new mother, I definitely am more aware of ways to help our environment. I would have to agree with some other comments of spas just being in it for the $. I do like the idea of products containing ingredients that are naturally occuring vs. ones that are chemically generated.

danesmom by danesmom | Adell, WI
Aug 29, 2008

I would love to say I would spend the extra money on organic/greener spa products, but I already live in Hawaii where things cost much more than average anway. Unfortuantly our budget just does not allow it. We do our part at home by recycling, composting, watching our water/electricity waste, solar panels, no harsh chemicals used, reusuable shopping bags and we do eat some organic/local products. I really wish it was easier/cheaper to go greener everywhere outside the home. I think all companies should take a greener approach on applicable products and services. I think it's great that spas are jumping in on the trend as well. Maybe someday the government will jump in and make greener products cheaper and more accessible for even the middle class(since it is the largest), so that the environment can actually reap the benefits from a greener economy.

kyokun by kyokun | kinder, LA
Aug 29, 2008

THE GREENER A COMPANY BECOMES THE BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, AND IT COMES TO ENVIRONMENT MONEY DOES NOT MATTER.

softballhead8 by softballhead8 | PEORIA, IL
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!

blueblueskies by blueblueskies | MADISON, WI
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.

1hotlilmama by 1hotlilmama | SPRING, TX
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.

ahadaway by ahadaway | Brookfield, WI
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.

lynnkendo by lynnkendo | Ventura, CA
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.

scooter64 by scooter64 | Raleigh, NC
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.