Nonprofit Matter Of Trust Uses Donations Of Hair, Fur To Clean Up Gulf Oil Spill

One nonprofit has an innovative solution for cleaning up the massive oil spill on the Gulf Coast, using the ultimate renewable resource: human hair. Since its founding in 1998, Matter of Trust has collected donations of human hair and animal fur to clean up after the thousands of oil spills that happen each year. The hair and fur donations are made into mats and booms, which use old nylon stockings to keep clippings together.

Each day, 300,000 pounds of hair and fur are cut in hair salons across the United States. Unneeded hair and fur can be sent to Matter of Trust's headquarters to be assembled into resources that will help clean up Louisiana waters following the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Donations are pouring in from every state in the country to aid the clean up process.

Individuals can organize "hair-raising" events in their communities to collect donations or speak to locate hair stylists and pet groomers about sending in the leftover hair and fur.

A video from Matter of Trust explains how the process works:

Look for more ways to help with the clean up efforts on the Gulf Coast.

Comments

[tctc]

07:53 PM on 05/10/2010

Leave the cleanup entirely to BP. Irresponsible protective legislation, worthless oversight, and rich, greedy people in government and industry caused this mess. It could have EASILY been avoided by BP having installed additional preventive equipment at the well-head when it was first drilled. The Bushies and Cheneys didn't care. Would have cost BP a few extra bucks. Same with Exxon Valdez: had Exxon been using a double-hull boat, there would have been "no" spill at all. None. But look who suffers when a few people are allowed to be super-greedy. Sometimes it takes nothing short of a true catastrophe for positive change to take place. If BP can't clean this mess up on their own, then let this send a clear message to people and the government regarding future drilling. Stop it? Or do a better job. Don't enable BP! Don't enable the greedy idiots that got our environment in this mess! Stop aiding and enabling the very people that are destroying our very way of life!

[HidingintheDeepSouth]

11:00 AM on 05/11/2010

This is NOT about enabling BP. I am as disgusted with them as you are, but I must disagree with your assertion that we should not help with the clean up. This is NOT BP's problem. This problem belongs to all of us. The wildlife that will die because of this spill does not care who caused it. I would not care who caused my potential death as much as preventing it, if I were an animal in danger of death from this man made environmental disaster. The damage is far greater than just animal death however. If we kill our oceans further, our days are numbered.
BTW, I am a passionate citizen who has been against ALL offshore drilling due to the long reaching environmental damage that can be caused by spills like this one. I never believed the petrol reps who convinced our prez and the people that this could be done safely. As much as I do have the desire to say to Americans, "See, I told you so", that sentiment will not help us solve the problem we have now.
Now, let us work together to make sure this doesn't ever happen again.

[spear1966]

05:19 PM on 05/08/2010

After reading an article in my local news paper this morning, I got an idea,why not use lint from clothes dryers? It is clean, consists of hair,cotton,[very absorbent],and other biodegradable materials! And talk about an endless supply! Can you imagine how much more absorbent this would be as opposed to just hair alone? Any thoughts?

[stevebol]

04:22 PM on 05/10/2010

Hay work great.

[stevebol]

04:22 PM on 05/10/2010

works.

[spear1966]

10:16 AM on 05/08/2010

After reading an article in my local news paper this morning, I got an Idea, why not use lint from clothes dryers? It is clean consists of hair,cotton[very absorbent],and other clean biodegradable materials! And talk about an endless supply! Can you imagine how much more absorbent this would be as opposed to just hair alone? Any thoughts?

[canuck4barack]

02:21 AM on 05/05/2010

Maybe us readers could start an email campaign in each of our towns, by forwarding this article on to local hair and grooming salons.

[Lefty08]

11:00 PM on 05/04/2010

I heard of this technique many years ago. Would cut my hair if it would actually help.

[KarlaElisa]

05:36 PM on 05/04/2010

I'm totally sitting down and shaving my dog right now.

[jan4insight]

04:39 PM on 05/04/2010

Thank you, H P, for posting this simple and powerful way to make a difference. I just got my hair cut last week, so I won't be able to donate for a while, but I'm passing this on via Facebook & blogspot :)

[LHoney]

04:30 PM on 05/04/2010

Forwarding a brilliant post by prcurios: When the Exxon Valdez went aground. I Invented a method to Solidify Oil, Making it easier to remove from the Aquatic environment. I no longer hold the Patent on this so I am not out to profit .I want to share my information with whom ever will read this and have the Authority to do something with it.It is Nontoxic, Biodegradable ,Environmentally safe and can be recycled.States have an abundance of what is needed in their Commodities.Shortly after I let Exxon know of my method they were using Oleophilic Fertilizer in the clean up. They said The Butter in it would enhance the microbes to eat the Oil Yes Butter Real Butter( not margarine ) try it your self pour oil in a pan of cold water simulating the oil spill surrounded by Booms melt a stick of butter pour it over the oil .Refrigerate to cool. The gulf waters are cold enough to do this The Butter mingles with and captures the Oil like turkey jell. When you remove the solid mass you will find the water to be clear .Existing Heater tanks and heater hoses can be used to disperse the melted Butter , Letting the cool temp of the water solidify the mix. Using existing conveyor belts Off to Recycling not Land Fields. If solids should reach shore it could be removed easier and do less damage

[LHoney]

04:36 PM on 05/04/2010

I'm hoping those with an opportunity to actually do something about the spill will see this idea. I have reposted it more than a dozen times. I think it sounds feasible and affordable and green.

[TStringfellow]

05:32 PM on 05/04/2010

Not be be a downer, but production of dairy products isn't really "green". Industrial farming is one of the biggest sources of pollution on the planet as well as a major reason the Amazon is being cut down.

[canuck4barack]

02:19 AM on 05/05/2010

Wouldn't the butter be subjected to both the cold water from below and the hot sun above? In which case, would the cold water solidify the butter, or would the hot sun keep it in a liquid state? Remember, when you refrigerate butter it is surrounded by a cool environment. Not so in the scenario you describe.

I'm no scientist, so just asking.

[TXfemmom]

03:55 PM on 05/04/2010

My border collie is just about to make a donation, unknown to her. It is time for a summer cut and she has enough hair cut off to make several mats.

Thanks to this group for coming up with a way to make her hair cut of benefit.