How to Donate Hair to Oil Spills Program

If you own or work at a hair salon, you can donate cut hair and the hair you sweep up from the floor to the Hair for Oil Spills Program that is part of the organization called Matter of Trust.org. Or perhaps you are a busy mother who cuts the hair of your entire family. Rather than throwing that hair away, wouldn't you like to do something to help our environment?

The group called "Matter of Trust" will weave together all excess hair into a hair mat that helps soak up oil when there is an oil spill. Since there are hundreds of oil spills every year, just think what a difference your donated hair clippings will make.

They will also take pet hair, old nylon stockings with or without runs, waste wool, feathers, and natural fiber donors. See how this program works.

Step 1: If you are representing a hair salon, you can sign up to become part of their donor database program at www.ExcessAccess.org by clicking the Business Sign Up Link.

If you are a one-time donor, you can participate as well. Schools can collect hair and mail it in. Pet owners can do this as well.

Step 2: Directions:

a. Please wash hair first.

b. They will accept hair of any length.

c. They will accept every type of hair - from the head only: straight, curly, dyed, permed, straightened.

d. They also accept washed, used nylon stockings to pack the hair into. The nylons can have runs.

e. Place the hair in a plastic bag and seal it tight.

Step 3: They are currently working on getting a new warehouse. They request you do not send the hair until they post the new address. If you will register at www.ExcessAccess.org, they will contact you by e-mail when the new warehouse is open for business.

Step 4: What do they do with the hair?

a. They stuff loose hair into nylon stockings to make a "boom" that helps soak up and contain oil spills.

b. They make certain that all other garbage has been removed. The hair are sent off to a "nonwoven needlepunch factory" to make hair mats. They use these mats to line cages of birds and mammals who got caught by an oil spill. They also use these mats in other oil spill emergencies.

Final Words:

* Please make certain there is no other garbage swept up along with the hair.

* They accept hair from the head only.

* Dog and pet groomers could donate hair as well.

* The e-mail address of this organization located in San Francisco, California, is team@matteroftrust.org.

Resources:

HAIR FOR OIL SPILLS PROGRAM 2000-Present

Information for Teachers including a Classroom Demo

Sign-up Links for Nonprofit, Individuals, and Businesses