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HONI's GREEN MISSION!
When both of my sons as well as my husband began to develop skin irritation, I wanted answers and I was not satisfied by my physician's suggestion to use steroid meds to treat their effected area. I began to look to the possibility of products being used that may cause the sensitivity we were seeing. I was shocked to find out that industrial chemical that is used to wash floors was an active ingredient in my children's bubble bath, shampoo and conditioner. I was numb. I could not believe what I had learned. How could they do that and get away with it? Our children's health is at risk and there is no regulations??? How crazy is that? I decided to save my anger but make a whole new change. I began to educate myself on toxins used in our everyday products as preservatives and their harmful affects on our body. I also changed my children's bath products to Organic and chemical free and I was so pleased to see their skin irritation improve. My husband's dermatitis under his armpit also cleared when I made the switch to a chemical free deodorant. Thus, my experience sparkled a new path within my line of work.
HONI's MISSION ON BECOMING GREEN
Due to personal aspiration and passion for my clients, I have decided to take a dramatic approach by introducing Organic World to the field of Medical Aesthetics, which currently is a non existent practice in the US. I am the first to pioneer AN ORGANIC APPROACH TO THE MEDICAL AESTHETICS FIELD as a new way of thinking and was recognized by Co-op America in April 2007 as a socially responsible GREEN company.
My GREEN mission is to provide aesthetic treatments from a holistic perspective without harming one's health, while keeping environement in mind. I want to build the bridge of understanding that one's diet/nutrition is the single most important factor in achieving beauty from the inside out. This explains the network of holistic practioners that I work with to help raise one's level of awareness. All products that I carrying in my salon & on the website, is mostly 100% Organic, synthetic free, vegan and as natural as possible. I also use recycled & biodegradable material whenever possible to further achieve my goal with respect to environment. The reality is the nature of my business (medical aesthetics) is far from being organic, but who said I cannot be socially responsible, environmentally conscious and ethical while providing beauty treatments.
HONI's GREEN STEPS
To be a GREEN business, I am responsible to take all necessary measures possible to bring the message sustainability to public awareness. People always ask me "how is your company green?" To answer this question, I have made a list of why Co-op America after their intense 6 months screening, gave us the recognition to be the first medical spa in the USA that is GREEN. I have done as much as I possible could within the limitations that I had & will continue my dedication to GREEN efforts when I expand the business to a new location.
1. Using organic & chemical free skin, body, hair & make up products
2. Using organic sheets, towels, blankets, head wraps, spa robes, spa gowns
3. Using organic cotton balls, swabs & gauze
4. Using all chemical free cleaning & disinfectant products in the salon
5. Using low PVC painting on the wall
6. Using green office furnishing
7. Private labeling own organic cosmetic/herbal line that is sustainable & green
8. Using Renewable energy to offset the carbon foot print
9. Using Green Merchant Telling for our credit card processing
10. Using all FSC certification paper in all marketing material
11. Using eco-friendly exhibit banner for events
12. Using recycled paper for printing papers in the office
13. Using vegetable based ink for our printing
14. Using eco-friendly pens & pencils in the office
15. Using organic candles & diffusers in our facility
16. Using recycled envelopes for mailing material
17. Reusing our boxes for online shopping orders
18. Using eco-friendly toilet papers, tissue papers & paper towels
19. Recycling all bottles, boxes & plastic materials
20. Offering education workshops about green living
21. Providing Green consulting for businesses
22. Using Green Telecommunication
23. Contributing to both local & international green charities
24. Using Green Hosting
25. Driving a hybrid car
26. Cross networking & promoting with other green organizations
27. Having a network of holistic practitioners for referrals
28. Providing a green community on own website
29. Buying as much local & handmade material
30. Using alkelining water in our facility
31. Caring about "fair-trade" policies
32. Supporting women owned businesses
33. Encouraging clients to assist in helping us with green mission
HOW TRUE IS A GREEN SPA?
According to the Spa Trend Magazine January 2007, the spa's mantra of body/mind/spirit is extending past the "self" to include others - and also the planet. Consumers are now factoring in a spa's green commitment when they choose a spa, and they're looking for a spa that does more than just recycle and offer organic food. And it's as much about respecting people as it is about respecting nature. Spa guests are rewarding a spa's efforts to incorporate authentic indigenous treatments, hire local staff, and contribute to the community. They're also welcoming education about local cultures and healing traditions and looking for holistic commitment on the part of spa personnel to contribute to sustainability and the health of guests, themselves and the planet at large. In short, spas and spa consumers are getting serious about terms like "natural," "organic," " holistic," "green," "eco-friendly," and "sustainable." And that's a good thing - naturally.
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