Visitors to Colour World this year were intrigued by conversations with Green Salon Collective who promote so many weird and wonderful ways to use our hairdressing waste. Now we hear from them on the subject of growing mushrooms… using waste human hair. Yep! You read that right, so now read on for the details:
Can human hair grow mushrooms?
Our friends at Green Salon Collective (GSC) pose the question: Did you know that mushrooms can be grown with waste human hair? Indeed they can! GSC partnered with Merryn Rush, a textiles student from Falmouth University, who has been experimenting with hair and wool twine, knitting it and growing things with it. One thing Merryn has used both human hair and our twine to grow is mycelium — the root-like network of fungi. Her work showcases the powerful intersection of art, science and sustainability. By transforming waste materials into functional, living textiles, she highlights the untapped potential of organic waste.
Research and trials by GSC, run by BIOHM, a London-based biomanufacturing company, have further demonstrated that mycelium grows well in hair waste. GSC created a block of hair and mycelium. The fungal network digests the keratin in hair and can produce robust mycelial structures that can be used as sustainable alternatives to plastic, insulation and even leather.
Another fantastic – and more edible experiment, was by Nigerian researcher Osarode Stephen Odemwingie. He used waste salon hair as a nitrogen supplement for growing mushrooms, combining the hair with sawdust. The results were great! The mushrooms grew and even gave a second flush.
Over to you
So, next time you’re sweeping the salon floor – think of all the amazing things that can be done with hair if you send it off to Green Salon Collective. For more information or to get in contact, visit: info@greensaloncollective.com
www.greensaloncollective.com
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