LIHU‘E — Rover the Rainbow Dog Grooming Salon in Lihu‘e is collecting hair to donate to Matter of Trust, a nonprofit organization mobilizing salons across the nation to collect fur, hair and feathers to create booms used to sop up oil on the Gulf Coast.
According to the matteroftrust.org website, salons place clean hair clippings into plastic bags then ship the hair to one of the 19 donated warehouses in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. Over 400,000 pounds of hair have already been sent to the Gulf region.
“Your hair is a renewable, natural fiber,” said Rachel Dybul, co-owner of Rover the Rainbow Dog Grooming Salon. “It’s a whole new way of thinking — your hair is renewable and recyclable.”
Rover the Rainbow Dog Grooming Salon opened three weeks ago and have been sweeping up and collecting clean fur since day one. Only clean hair can be used, as it is the most efficient for oil absorbency.
“We have a goal of accumulating 50 pounds of hair,” she said. “We collect the hair, put it in a box and ship it to (a) designated addresses and then the hair is received by volunteers who fill the nylons, which are also recycled. Then the hair is brought to the Gulf Coast to absorb and contain the oil.”
A hair boom is a length of nylon stuffed with hair, fur, fleece or feathers. Hair is stuffed into nylons using PVC pipe and a broom or toilet plunger to form “hair sausages,” she said.
As well as for emergency oil spills, the mats are efficient for drip pans during oil changes or under leaky cars, machinery, pipelines, even as booms for storm drains.
“Not only will it help clean up the oil spill but according to the EPA on average there are 2600 oil spills annually worldwide,” Dybul said. “That’s 700 million gallons of oil. This is not just for the Gulf spill. We are doing this as an ongoing effort to clear our waterways of oil.”
Dybul invites salons across the island to bring clean hair or fur to their salon for shipping by calling 245-DOGS (245-3647). Used nylons are also requested.
“Who would have thought a dog groomer in Hawai‘i could help clean up the Gulf Coast?” she said. “I’m baffled by how collectively we are able to participate in this global phenomenon. All you have to do to help is get your hair cut.”
Visit matteroftrust.org for complete instructions on how to mail hair or fur donations.
