From Superinnovators 14/02/24
US-based public charity Matter of Trust (f. 1998) produce human hair mats and booms for urban water filtration and cleaning up oil spills.
They collect donated waste human hair, which naturally absorbs oil and petrochemicals, and weave it together at their factory in San Francisco or at volunteer eco-hubs across the globe.
In the wake of the 2020 Mauritius oil spill, Matter of Trust sent thousands of hair mats and booms to aid the cleanup.
Besides emergency use, the material is used in cities and airports, lining highway drain systems to help prevent pollutants entering the waterways.
