Hair Recycle

Video

Description

Since the program started in May 2023, a total of approximately 7 tons of clothing and sundry goods that might have been thrown away have been rescued as of the end of October, and the reuse rate of collected items has climbed to 89.2%. The program aims to further expand its coverage area and promote a low environmental impact lifestyle.

Story

The project started in April 2021. We prepared it for a year with my eldest son during Covid in 2020. Before Covid, we had started to help circular economy projects supported by the Brussels region. This interested us a lot. When Covid arrived, we had time at home and we started to think about our own project.

Our work has been received with great support and enthusiasm. We very quickly had many hair salons as members. Businesses and cities have also contacted us to see how they can participate. Many press articles, radio and television have spoken about our action. We have also received numerous awards: Be Circular, King Baudoin Foundation, etc.

Our activity reduces the carbon footprint of the hairdressing sector, which is one of the most polluting in the world. Ultimately, the more our products are used, the cleaner and more eco-responsible the absorbent sector will be. Furthermore, dozens of people all over the world have contacted us for information to start the same project in their country. Finally, several schools contacted us to testify about our action and its implementation.

Link

• http://www.hairrecycle.eu

Images

Judge’s Comments

Sachiko Hirosue

Osaka Namari-Suzu Seirensho Co., Ltd. President and CEO

Miracle Material growing on our Heads Award

Hair donations to make wigs has been much celebrated, but hair to absorbant mats! What a perspective, that is, of taking advantage of the unique properties of hair, which we have all seen while taking a bath. The fact that this can replace absorbents made with polypropylene is exciting (less petrochemical based products used), but also needs to be tested to be used as reinforcing fibers in concrete to truly bring things circular. This is a material to chemistry application, beyond or despite the aesthetic element. This is what makes this project special.

As a material for upcycling, it is very complex. Everyone and anyone can actively choose to donate and participate. It is democratic in this way. Culturally, hair means different things to different peoples. To adapt the concept to different locations, this part needs to be resolved, perhaps in collaboration with anthropologists, sociologists, artists. Hair is an emotional and physical extension of ourselves, with lots of symbolism and meaning. The spirit is thought to reside in hair in Japanese ghost stories. Would you trap an unrequited soul in a building material? Would you live in a building embedded with this material?

The hope is that after the Hair Recycle project, Dung-Dung asbl’s next line-ups take these ideas further.