Olivia Garden has achieved B Corp certification, a significant step for a professional hair tool manufacturer. This accreditation signifies a holistic commitment to environmental and social responsibility, extending beyond typical industry concerns like colourants or water usage. The certification process required rigorous evaluation of governance, employee welfare, community impact, and supply chain practices.
The brand discovered that many responsible practices were already embedded within its operations, particularly concerning its people and culture. While initial assumptions about manufacturing locations in South Korea or China suggested a sustainability deficit, the assessment revealed strong existing foundations. This highlights that sustainable manufacturing can exist even when perceived as less obvious.
Plastic remains a primary challenge for Olivia Garden, given the performance demands of professional tools. The company is committed to reducing virgin plastic, increasing recycled content without compromising quality, extending product lifespan, minimising packaging, and continuously exploring new materials. Durability is now a core sustainability strategy, prioritising tools that last longer over easily replaceable, less resilient 'eco' alternatives. An ongoing challenge is developing effective end-of-life recycling solutions for their brushes.
Achieving certification prompted structural changes, including formalising internal policies, strengthening sourcing procedures, and accelerating nearshoring efforts. Suppliers are now actively encouraged to use lower-impact materials. Innovation is now guided by an impact-first question: how to reduce environmental footprint. This mirrors growing client interest and the need for salon businesses to align with responsible brands.
The brand emphasizes that B Corp certification is about internal transformation, not just marketing. For salon owners, partnering with certified brands like Olivia Garden reinforces their own sustainability claims and values. This aligns with the broader understanding that sustainability in hairdressing encompasses not only treatments but also the tools used daily.
