One of the first things we learn about hair and fur is that it is a protein and, like other proteins, it will breakdown when composted. It is also rich in nitrogen which is excellent food for plants. 

So throwing away fur is like throwing away plant food!

It's no secret that hair absorbs oil --- we’ve all had oily hair at some point!

​Essentially, a hair boom is hair cuttings of any length or colour tightly packed into cotton or nylon tubes. When placed in either water or on the shores of beaches, these booms will stop oil from spreading, saving wildlife and the natural landscape. ​

Our felting machine can make hair mats! Hair mats can be used in a similar way to the booms, they can be used on land, parks, gardens and even your street or driveway. Hair mats can be used for oil or water and there have already been great results seen when used by plumbers, mechanics, and in local parks. 

Working with Biohm, a London based regenerative biomanufacturer, your hair is being combines with their unique binding material 'orb', to create particleboard-like sheets as well as moulded 3D objects. They are also working with mycelium, the root structure of fungi, to grow around hair to create insulation panels.

Our Head of R&D, Stephanie Hodgson, is conducting an experiment to test the ability of 'potting felt' a product for houseplants made from salon hair waste, to save water, deter pests, and release nitrogen into the soil. 

Collaborating with architecture and research firm, Pareid, we explore the application of salon hair waste in architecture and building materials. Pareid are interested in visibly showcasing the presence of hair in final products and instalments as a way to compel people to consider the material not as waste but as a resource. 

We are collaborating with Natural Fibre Co., a British woollen mill in Cornwall, to develop a hair-wool fibre alternative to petroleum or cotton based yarns, ropes and twines. Our current blend is 40:60 hair and wool blend using salon's waste hair and undervalued, destined-for-compost wool.

We have created a truly unique workshop with our research partner, Sanne Visser, Design Researcher in Residence at The Design Museum. Our workshops invite people to explore hair rope making while inspiring them to rethink the concept of waste. 

We can use even the shortest of hair in the our hair recycling projects, however, when the hair is long enough to create a wig, that is what we will do. Obviously, this is with human hair rather than from our furry friends!

Working with dressmakers and designers, we can turn hair into dresses and clothes. In 2022, Green Salon Collective was featured in museums across the UK and Europe showcasing what can be done with hair.