TOGETHER for change

With more spas and salons making steps towards sustainability, Warrick Burton, who runs original eco spa Titanic in Yorkshire, shares advice on how the right brand partnerships can help

Sustainability is a buzzword that many consumers are looking to invest in. It’s a demand which can sound daunting, especially within the spa industry which uses a lot of water, has a high turnover of laundry and energy use, and a potential for lots of wastage. Partnering with reputable brands and suppliers can be one of the easiest steps you take in making your spa more eco-friendly. While you might not be able to physically make such drastic changes on site, outsourcing to partners that can, can be pivotal in your spa’s stance on sustainability.

An example of this is the year-long partnership Titanic Spa did with the Born Free Foundation, an animal conservation charity which has committed to reducing its impact on the environment through carbon offsetting programmes and empowering local communities.

Titanic Spa’s ‘Spa for Our Planet’ campaign meant that every time a guest purchased a special animal spa day, an adoption pack would go to the charity to help with their important work. While we couldn’t help declining numbers of orangutans from North Yorkshire, we could help support a group who could.

Start small

Partnerships don’t always need to be so large; working with local groups can also be a great way to help your own community. If you can work with a local supplier, then not only are you cutting down on your carbon footprint, but you’re also helping a small business and supporting local economy.

There are plenty of spa suppliers out there that are making waves in the industry. If your business is based in an area that is renowned for having a specialised ingredient, why not take advantage?

Within treatments and retail, we work with the Yorkshire Candle Company, and in the restaurant we partner with local food suppliers, meaning our menu is aways dynamic and created with seasonal vegetables. Our vegan head chef creates plant-based recipes, meaning our guests can not only eat well when with us, but also feel encouraged to go away and try more vegan dishes which tend to be better for the environment.

Identify needs

If you see an area in your spa that needs a new approach, then act. Being more sustainable doesn’t always mean large ideas and big changes. Starting with small adaptions that are easy to implement can all add up to take you closer to a more sustainable business.

Warrick Burton is managing director of Titanic Spa in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, which was one of the first in the UK to focus on eco practices, right from its launch in 2005.