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Scientists and environmentalists are using carpets made from human hair as an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to absorbing oil spills in the oceans.
Lisa Gautier, founder of the organization Matter of Trust, receives nearly a dozen packages containing human hair every day. For many, this might seem strange, but for Gautier, these strands represent a unique opportunity to help the planet.
Based in San Francisco, her organization turns donated hair into eco-friendly mats and barriers used to combat oil spills on land and at sea.
Human hair for oil cleaning
Traditionally, cleaning of viscous of oil uses polypropylene mats, a non-biodegradable plastic.
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However, this approach contributes to the environmental problem, since its production depends on petroleum. On the other hand, human hair offers a renewable and efficient alternative. It can absorb up to five times its weight in petroleum, making it a powerful tool for dealing with environmental disasters.
With approximately 900 licensed hair salons in the U.S., Gautier points out that the volume of hair discarded each week is significant. “Our goal is to divert that from landfills and turn it into something useful. It makes a lot more sense to use a renewable resource to clean up oil than to rely on more thickness,” he says.
Leaks: a global problem
Oil spills are a threat to public health, biodiversity and the economy. In 2021, the US recorded 175 such incidents, while globally, more than 10 million tonnes of oil were spilled from tankers.
Even small leaks can have big impacts: just one liter of oil can contaminate a million gallons of drinking water.
Recent cases in Thailand and Peru, which together totaled more than 513 gallons of oil spills, illustrate the severity of the problem. Gautier points out that these events, while tragic, represent only a fraction of the pollution caused by oil. Smaller spills from vehicles and natural seepage are also specific to the environment.
Beginning of a creative solution with human hair
The idea of using hair to absorb oil came about in 1989, with hairdresser Phillip McCrory. His prototype was tested by NASA and found to be functional. Years later, Gautier and his partner, Patrice Gautier, teamed up with McCrory to develop barriers and treatments from human and animal hair.
Today, A Matter of Trust receives donations from salons, groomers, and individuals. After screening for contaminants, the hair is turned into mats using a custom felting machine. Each mat can absorb up to 5,6 liters of oil, playing a crucial role in environmental cleanup.
results and challenges
Since its founding, Matter of Trust has produced more than 300 barriers and 40 hair mats, which have been used in disasters such as the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. In addition, the organization responds to local needs, such as decontaminating manholes and absorbing oil from leaking vehicles.
Despite their benefits, hair braids aren’t perfect. They are single-use and can only be disposed of by burning or composting. Researchers like Megan Murray from the University of Technology Sydney are exploring ways to reuse these mats, extracting the oil and extending their lifespan.
A global solution
Matter of Trust has expanded its network to 17 countries, including Finland, Japan, Chile and Rwanda. The decentralized approach allows local partners to produce products using locally sourced hair. Because the designs are not patented, other groups, such as the Green Salon Collective in the UK, have also joined the initiative.
For Gautier, the movement is a collective triumph. “Anyone can make a hair carpet. It creates green jobs, cleans water, reduces landfill waste and promotes the use of renewable resources.”
Sustainable future
The innovation behind hair mats offers an inspired look at how discarded materials can be repurposed for the benefit of the environment technology. With ongoing research and a growing global network, Gautier’s idea has proven that even small gestures can make a significant impact. And as the fight against pollution continues, creative solutions can be a real weapon against environmental disasters.
