Upon trying to find a decent hair salon in Austin, I stumbled upon Modesty Hair Salon, a green-friendly salon in East Austin. According to the website, they donate hair (as in scraps that end up on the floor) to Matter of Trust, a compnay that deals with creating sustainable programs. One of Matter of Trust's highlighted programs this year is International Natural Fiber Recycling Movement.

 

Since the Gulf Coast oil spill last April, the charity has been accepting and seeking any type of hair donations, from humans to sheep, and using those donations to create "hair booms."

 

The hair boom, featured above, was created by stylist Phil McCroy in 1989, following the Exxon spill. The donated hair is stuffed into recycled nylon tights and used as a natural sponge to soak up the spilled oil, since hair naturally absorbs oil. Ottimat, another sustainable company, creates hair mats — which have a SOS pad-like feel — out of the donated scraps.

 

Check out exactly how the "hair boom" works on Matter of Trust's website here.

 

And if you're intereted in donating, find out more info here.