In episode 28 of the Design Your Life Podcast Vince chats with Paul Frasca, a passionate hairdresser and determined environmentalist who alongside his partner Ewelina Soroko have created the innovative and hugely successful recycling business, Sustainable Salons Australia.

The program collects up to 95% of the salon’s waste bin and repurposes it in various ways such as using hair for the making of wigs, utilising pet hair to help clean oil spills or turning old salon bottles into fashionable sunglasses.

What started out in the garage of his parent’s house has now grown into a nationally focused venture which to date has collected more than 90,000 ponytails that have then been repurposed for cancer and alopecia sufferer. Additionally, over 125,000 kg of metals have been diverted from landfill and in excess of 100,000 meals have been provided to homeless people through recycling proceeds.

Paul shares how it all began, what’s been achieved and where they’re heading. He also touches on some key business tips in championing a new age of consumer decision making and even throws in a few tips on hair!

Enjoy!

Next episode we will begin our exclusive 6-part collaborative series with some of the D&AD Impact and Future Impact award winners. Each episode will deep dive into a winning projects process, drivers and process behind creating positive change for the world and its inhabitants. 

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