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Finding reuses for common items, especially natural items, is one of my favorite things to do. But finding reuses for hair can be a bit more complicated than finding reuses for, say, rocks. It requires some creativity. What exactly is old hair good for? Well, if you're not sure, at least someone else out there is.
Stylists at Paul Mitchell Schools collected a lot of spare hair last week for Earth week. All of the hair that they collected during the week was given to an environmental organization, Matter of Trust. Matter of Trust, based out of San Francisco, uses hair to help clean up oil spills. As it turns out, hair is highly absorbent--especially for oil. About one pound of recycled hair is required to make a hair mat, which they use to soak up the oil. Each mat is about a foot square and a half inch thick. This mat soaks up about a quart of oil. That matt can be reused 100 times.
What You Can Do: Earth week may be over (*technically*), but the next time that you cut your hair, take it with you and mail it off to this organization. It's not that difficult to ask your hairdresser to sweep up your hair and let you put it in a bag to mail off.
Sending your hair to these guys, instead of the garbage, is not only a great way to hold off on trashing something natural, but it's also a wonderful way to help clean up oil spills.
More on going green with your hair:
G Word Video: Hair Mats
You Can Wash Your Hair With Rainwater
Dry Your Hair Naturally
Use Vegetable Oil To Condition Your Hair
Donate Your Hair To Charity
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