New spas go green

Green is a growing trend in the skincare industry when it comes to products, but several Atlanta area spas are taking green to the next level —- building facilities in compliance with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) requirements.

Energy Star appliances, recycling programs, low VOC paints and construction materials sourced from environmentally friendly and renewable resources are among the features of these new spas.

LEED certification, administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, is granted on four levels that correspond to points earned in five categories: sustainable sites, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and indoor environmental quality.

At least two Atlanta spas are currently going through the costly and time-consuming process, hoping to be among the first in the metro area to be officially recognized as certified.

“We’ve always been interested in building with energy efficiency and eco-chic design,” said Cici Coffee, founder and CEO of Natural Body Salon and Shoppe, which expects to receive platinum certification for the new Brookhaven spa.

It’s impossible to determine how many, if any, Atlanta spas are already on the U.S. Green Building Council’s list, because there is not a “spa” listing among “project type” on the LEED inventory. And project owners can choose not to disclose details including the name of their certified businesses.

Still, the local spa owners who are seeking certification believe it’s worth investing some greenbacks to be recognized as green.

The process isn’t easy, said Coffee, and with major outlays —- for example, $43,000 to upgrade the HVAC system —- it can be expensive.

“At the end of the day, you want to see a return on investment or it is going to be hard for a lot of smaller businesses,” Coffee said.

Already, the upgrades have the Brookhaven location operating at about $500 per month savings on electricity and gas as compared to the chain’s oldest location, in Morningside, Coffee said. She is most proud of having recycled 98 percent of construction materials, which earned the highest amount of points available from LEED.

“I had to pull stuff out of the garbage can,” Coffee said. Once she even made contractors unload almost an entire dumpster to make sure everything was in compliance. “I think they hated me, but at the same time they were excited. Maybe talking about it a little more … will help educate others.”

SPAS GOING A DEEPER SHADE OF GREEN

> Natural Body Salon and Shoppe —- Brookhaven

1432 Dresden Drive, Atlanta, 404-816-8801

Platinum LEED certification, the highest level possible, has always been the goal for the 12th Atlanta area location of Natural Body Salon and Shoppe, said founder and CEO Cici Coffee. The Brookhaven location also combines the company’s Natural Body spa and 10Ten Nail Bar concepts. Earth-friendly touches include pedicure basins that use one-half the amount of water as industry standard basins, wood floors made with reclaimed wood from a Georgia barn and interior lighting that automatically dims as the daylight gets brighter. Along with traditional Natural Body services that include massage and facials, this new location offers more lifestyle items such as eco-friendly clothing, jewelry and locally made body care products.

> Oh2 Medical Spa

3400-C Old Milton Parkway, #365, Alpharetta, 678-367-0737

This Alpharetta medical spa specializes in a painless varicose vein elimination, but is also in the process of being silver LEED certified. Low-flow water fixtures, use of natural light in 90 percent of the patient areas and ceiling tiles made from 80 percent recycled materials are some of the features that make this spa green. In addition to vein therapies, other services include facials, chemical peels and hair removal.