Scientists suggest that human hair could become a significant sustainable textile to address key climate change issues.
In the fashion world, a new trend is emerging that focuses on the materials used rather than the latest styles.
Surprisingly, human hair is making waves on runways, challenging conventional aesthetics and overcoming the “ick” factor.
“Even when it’s your own hair, you don’t want to look at it on the floor or touch it,” said Zsofia Kollar.
Kollar is the founder of Human Material Loop, a clothing design start-up based in Amsterdam. She collects discarded hair from salons and barbershops.
With the help of scientists and engineers, the hair is transformed into durable fibers for high-fashion garments.
“We’ve developed knitted and woven pieces to show that hair can be an alternative to traditional fibers like wool,” explained Kollar.
Using human hair aims to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry, which consumes a vast amount of water. According to the World Resources Institute, producing one cotton shirt requires 700 gallons of water, while the hair method uses none.
From the runway to a chic San Francisco salon, human hair is finding new uses.
“I’ve been cutting hair for about 20 years,” said stylist Lisa Pomo.
Pomo is cutting Philip Lam’s hair, but this cut is special.
“The hair usually goes to oil spill clean-up mats,” said Lam.
The cut hair is collected and turned into hair mats by a nonprofit called Matter of Trust in San Francisco.
“We turn these fibers into mats that can filter out petrochemicals from storm drains and contaminated reservoirs,” said Matter of Trust co-founder and CEO Lisa Gautier.
The idea came from hairstylist Phil McCrory, who, while washing a client’s oily hair, saw a TV report on the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.
“It just clicked for him,” said Gautier. Hair can absorb up to five times its weight in oil.
Matter of Trust collects hair, fur, wool, and fleece to create strong hair mats using a special felting machine.
Matter of Trust project manager Daniel Tulberg demonstrated the process. He ran the mat through the machine, with smaller strands as filler and longer strands encasing it. The finished mat was strong and intact.
“And just like that, we have a completed hair mat,” said Tulberg with a smile.
These mats have been used to clean up hundreds of oil spills in U.S. waters, including the 2007 Cosco Busan spill in San Francisco Bay.
The oil industry significantly contributes to global warming and climate change.
As for Lam’s new haircut?
“It looks good! And it’s totally an awesome cause,” he said.
Instead of ending up in landfills, human hair is becoming a new sustainable fabric, conserving water in fashion and cleaning the environment.
To donate hair, animal fur, wool, and fleece to Matter of Trust, follow the process on their website. Interested parties can register and follow simple directions to make a donation.
