Belgian NGO, Dung Dung, is using human hair to absorb environmental pollutants as part of the Hair Recycle Project, as reported by EuroNews.
(Photo : Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 23: A pile of human hair lies on the ground after protesters cut their hair as an act of solidarity with women in Iran during a demonstration against the death of Mahsa Amini on September 23, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. Amini, 22, was arrested by Iranian authorities in Tehran on September 13 for not wearing her headscarf properly and died three days afterwards, apparently due to a severe head injury.
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.
Also Read: Researchers Use a Weird Ingredient to Produce Vegetables: Human Hair
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.
Related Article: Hair Loss Problem? Scientists From Japan Just Developed Organ Transplantation Of Cells To Fix That! Here’s How it Works
ⓒ 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
