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Recycled hair collected from hairdressers across Belgium helps the environment.
The Hair Recycle Project, led by Belgian non-profit Dung Dung, transforms strands and tresses into hair mats that absorb environmental pollutants.
These frosted squares are able to absorb pollution, including oils and hydrocarbons, from wastewater before the runoff reaches the river. Alternatively, it can be a bio-composite bag.
Project co-founder Patrick Jansen told Reuters news agency that one kilogram of hair can absorb seven to eight liters of oil and hydrocarbons.
“Our products are more ethical because they are made locally rather than imported from the other side of the world,” he said. made here.”
Human hair is disposed of in salons after being cut. But by returning to a circular economy, Belgian hairdressers have effectively changed the fate of unwanted hair that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Besides being valuable as wigs and hair extensions, human hair also has some powerful properties.
A single strand of hair can support up to 10 million times its own weight, is water soluble, absorbs fats and hydrocarbons, and is highly elastic, according to the Hair Recycling Project website. increase.
“Today, oil pollution is usually treated with absorbent socks made from non-biodegradable polypropylene,” the Eurofins Foundation said in a release.
“However, Dung Dung hair products can be used for this purpose. , and can be used to address pollution problems, due to flooding.”
