Our fallen hair, a common waste in daily life, contains rich biomass resources. Inspired by traditional cultures, we have come to recognize the potential value of discarded hair and have begun to explore its use in textile manufacturing. Researchers are working to simplify the integration of waste hair in textile production, with the aim of creating new textiles that are durable, comfortable and versatile.
Hair is composed of 95% keratin and has a high nitrogen content. During processing, hair retains more water than cotton, reducing the amount of water used in production. Hair also has high tensile strength, excellent thermal insulation and good elastic recovery. Hair can even be stretched to one and a half times its original length before breaking, and unlike conventional textile materials, hair has a uniform texture, which ensures efficient utilization in the production process.
As environmental awareness grows, the way hair is utilized is becoming more innovative and sustainable. GLO Recycling, a US-based company, is committed to creating sustainable products from discarded human hair. The company uses discarded hair to fill mattresses, toys and home furnishings, capitalizing on its superior elasticity and insulating properties. The versatile material is also used to make fabric for a variety of garments and blankets.
Amsterdam-based Human Materials Loop has developed a unique technology that transforms the vast quantities of waste hair recovered in salons into products made from traceable and high-performance textile fibers. These fibers are not only woven into stylish sweaters and tweed-style blazers, but also show outstanding performance in extreme environments; Human Materials Loop even tested the warmth of a parka containing these fibers on Mount Aconcagua, at an altitude of 6,961 meters above sea level, and the results showed that the wearer stayed warm and comfortable in temperatures as cold as minus 30°C.
Green Collective Salon UK has teamed up with Cornish wool mill Natural Fibre Co to develop a unique yarn. The yarn is made from a blend of 40% waste hair and 60% wool. All the hair used is recycled from salons. Also, all of the wool in this project comes from wool that would otherwise be undervalued and would be composted. The yarn is soft, durable and beautiful. They are currently working on a plastic-free gardening twine made from hair and wool.
Human hair is not only fully biodegradable and renewable, but also abundant and easily accessible. Therefore, recycling hair is not only limited to applications in the textile industry, but also benefits a wide range of industries, demonstrating its extensive practical value. From the use of hair to develop new textiles, to weaving mats to absorb and clean up oil spills, to liquefying hair as an agricultural fertilizer, hair, a seemingly ordinary substance, has become an important weapon in addressing environmental challenges.
