Belgian NGO Uses Human Hair to Absorb Environmental Pollutants

Belgian NGO, Dung Dung, is using human hair to absorb environmental pollutants as part of the Hair Recycle Project, as reported by EuroNews.

How It Works

Hairdressers across the country collect hair clippings, then they feed them into a machine that turns them into matted squares. These matted squares can be used to absorb oil and hydrocarbon that pollutes the environment.

The hairy mats are then placed in drains to absorb water pollution before it reaches a river or deals with pollution problems because of flooding.

Other Applications of Discarded Human Hair

Aside from that, human hair can also be transformed into bio-composite bags or to clean up oil spills. According to the Hair Recycle project, a strand of hair is enough to support up to ten million times its own weight. Furthermore, it is water-soluble and highly elastic because of the keratin fibers in it.

The hair is used based on its length. For one, long hair is turned into wigs, while shorter ones have many other purposes.

A Good Cause

Many salon owners pay a small fee to the project to collect hair cuttings. They, in turn, send the hair to be recycled into mats or other products.

The mats have been put to use before in many cities and villages around the world.

On the other hand, the Hair Recycle project just started only in Belgium. Hopefully, it will soon spread to other countries as well.

The Many Benefits of Human Hair

Aside from serving as an absorptive mat, human hair can be used for many other things. It can be turned into an all-natural fiber, too. It can be used to make woven fabrics, felt, yarn, and paper.

Regular tools can transform human hair into cloth. It can be dyed, but it can shrink and become unstretchable if exposed to direct sunlight.

Aside from directly using human hair, it can also be used as an ingredient in other products. For example, it can be turned into wigs, brushes, and even processed into fibers for weaving rugs.

Hair is definitely something too good to be thrown away in the trash can. With its many benefits and positive impact on the environment, it is good to know that it is being put to good use than ending up in a landfill.

Human hair isn't just another form of bio-waste. It can be recycled as an alternative textile. It can be turned into paper, felt, and yarn, too.

The Hair Recycle Project does its part in helping the environment by using discarded head hair. This project is a good example of how the world can change for the better and how we can help solve environmental issues.