Image: L-R, Robert Cooper and Lucy Brialey announce the launch of The Sustainable Spa Association
Last week saw the launch of The Sustainable Spa Association (SSA) - a new membership-based organisation which plans to offer guidance to spa operators on improving their sustainability credentials.
Designed specifically to support spa businesses with socially responsible growth and development, the SSA aims to provide members access to carefully researched resources, up-to‐date information, education and exclusive insights from leading spa brand partners and sustainability experts.
Using a bespoke benchmarking system, member spas will be able to measure their environmental impact against the industry standard and achieve a recognised accreditation for their efforts and improvements. This 12-part appraisal allows the SSA to highlight areas for improvement and guide its members to reach a level of accreditation that is recognised by global spa professionals and consumers alike. SSA member spas will also gain access to a unique online Sustainable Impact Assessment that provides instant dashboard results.
Co-Founder and director of the SSA Lucy Brialey comments on the launch: “As a non-‐profit organisation, we are dedicated to making ongoing positive environmental change within the spa industry through education, support and accreditation. With guidance from The SSA and its partners, spa operators can be confident that they are taking the right path towards achieving sustainable development goals.”
Joining Lucy as co-founder and director of the SSA, managing director of Scrumi Spa Robert Cooper added: “We want to make it easy for spa operators to take those important steps towards sustainable practices and help them cut through the jargon and conflicting information that can confuse and result in ‘green-‐washing’. Each SSA member and partner will be contributing to a collective improvement in spa practices.”
Lucy and Robert have secured some of the spa industry’s most influential pioneers in sustainability as founding partners, including Italian skincare brand [comfort zone], and international design consultancy Studio Apostoli alongside industry stalwarts Spabreaks.com, Saint Associates, the Spa Education Academy and Spa Escape.
“As a passionate, sustainable skincare brand, Bcorp member and Environment Honoree, we want to share our knowledge, experience and support to help salons and spas become as sustainable as possible in every aspect of their operation.” said Tracy Brasenell, country manager of [comfort zone].
“I strongly believe that the concepts of wellness and sustainability are intrinsic to each other, since human wellness cannot be separated from the health of the environment.” said Alberto Apostoli. “When we integrate sustainable features into our spa, we achieve two goals: we help the environment and we educate our guests to do so. Sustainability is not a trend but a necessity!”
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