At Green Salon Collective (GSC) we are always looking for new ways to reuse and recycle salons waste, ensuring that no hair ends up in landfill! Through innovative hair recycling and salon recycling practices, we have over 10 different ways of recycling hair from salons across the UK and Ireland...
Innovative Hair Recycling Methods
GSC employs a variety of methods to repurpose salon hair waste:
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Composting & Gardening: Hair, rich in nitrogen, is composted to enrich soil, promoting healthier plant growth.
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Waterway Cleanups: Hair booms and mats are used to absorb oils and pollutants from waterways, aiding in environmental cleanups.
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Hair Mats: Felted hair mats are utilised to cover storm drains and assist in water purification efforts.
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Regenerative Bio-Manufacturing: In collaboration with Biohm, we combined hair with a unique binding material to create particleboard-like sheets and moulded 3D objects.
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Wool Alternatives: Partnering with the Natural Fibre Co., we developed a hair-wool fibre blend as an alternative to traditional yarns.
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Potting Felt: Hair is transformed into potting felt for houseplants, conserving water and releasing nitrogen into the soil.
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Mulch: We recently used over 1 tonne of hair waste on a Norfolk farm as mulch to improve soil health!
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Architecture: Collaborations with architectural firms explore the use of hair in building materials, challenging perceptions of waste.
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Knitting: We have worked with various artists to knit and crochet hair twine into coasters, garments and swatches!
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Art: Hair is used in artistic creations, including dresses and clothing, showcased in museums across the UK and Europe.
Comprehensive Salon Recycling
Beyond hair, GSC offers extensive salon recycling services:
- Hair Recycling: Hair is recycled in over 10+ different ways, instead of going to landfill or general waste.
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Metal Recycling: Foils and colour tubes are collected and recycled, with profits donated to charitable causes.
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Towel Composting: Disposable salon towels are composted at specialised facilities, reducing landfill waste.
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Chemical Waste Management: Unused chemicals are prevented from entering landfills or waterways by converting them into energy.
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PPE and General Waste: Personal protective equipment and general waste are incinerated to generate energy, minimising environmental impact.
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Plastic and Paper Recycling: Salon plastics and paper waste, including magazines and packaging, are recycled appropriately.
By implementing these practices, GSC has diverted over 200 tonnes of salon waste from landfills or incineration, showcasing the profound impact of dedicated salon recycling initiatives.