As the leading salon recycling service in the UK, we’re always looking for sustainable ways to reduce waste, and what better time than summer to put our salon floor sweepings to good use? You might be surprised to learn that hair isn’t just destined for the bin. In fact, it’s packed with benefits for the garden, especially during the hotter months!
Whether you have a few pots outside the salon, a garden at home, or you're part of a local eco-initiative, here’s how human hair (yes, the very thing you sweep up daily) can be a powerful natural resource.
Why Use Hair in the Garden?
Hair is rich in nitrogen, a vital nutrient for plants, and offers some surprisingly helpful advantages for summer gardening:
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Supports strong leaf growth: Hair feeds the soil as it breaks down, giving plants the nitrogen boost they need.
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Improves moisture retention: Perfect for keeping soil hydrated during long, hot days.
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Naturally deters pests: Slugs, snails and even larger animals like deer (or kangaroos!) don’t fancy crossing a hairy path.
As hairdressers, we have a constant (and otherwise wasted) supply of this incredible material so why not put it to work? The rest you can recycle with Green Salon Collective!
Simple Ways to Use Salon Hair Outdoors
Here’s how you can make salon hair a summer garden ally:
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Base layer for pots or beds: Place a small amount of hair at the bottom of plant pots or raised beds. It helps retain moisture and slowly releases nutrients.
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Top-dressing: A light layer of hair on the surface of soil can act as a mulch to lock in moisture and deter crawling pests — just avoid overloading the topsoil unless you're aiming for the “eco jungle” look.
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Slug deterrent: Sprinkle hair around the base of outdoor plants. The texture is unpleasant to slugs, and helps keep them at bay naturally.
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Compost booster: Chop up the hair and add it to your compost pile (or donate it to a community garden composting scheme). As it decomposes, it enriches the compost with nitrogen and supports micro-organisms.
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Soil repair: In struggling areas, apply a mat of hair and let nature do the work. As the hair breaks down, it improves soil quality.
Recycling hair is a brilliant way to align your salon with sustainability, so find out more about recycling hair, foil and colour tubes with Green Salon Collective here.