Enhancing the value of cut hair to avoid maritime pollution
The ability of hair to retain oil pollution has been identified for some years now. But no sustainable initiative had been set up to take advantage of it. The association Coiffeurs Justes, launched in 2015 by Thierry Gras, decided to tackle the problem. "We collect hair from our member hairdressers. They are then put in nylon tubes to make depollution socks" summarizes the founder of the association.
Acting from the ship's hold
Rather than tackling major oil spills, Coiffeurs Justes intends to limit everyday pollution. "The first idea was obviously the big pollution, but while discussing with the director of the port of Cavalaire, we came up with the idea of socks to put in the bottom of the boats' holds. Smaller pollution, with bilge oils, is less visible, but very constant," explains Thierry Gras. The association is also developing socks for refuelling stations or to be placed near pontoons, to catch pollution at source.
Reusable socks, with deposit in the harbour master's office
Each 300g roll can absorb 2.5 litres of hydrocarbons. Washable, it can be reused 6 to 10 times. "This number is determined to keep the mechanical characteristics of the hair. After the last wash, they can be used, for example, as a resin booster for swimming pools. Initially, the sausage will be consigned to be taken back to the harbour master's office and washed so that we can send the fuel to the classic toxic waste treatment system. We're thinking about mobile washing units for captain's offices" says Thierry Gras.
Several Mediterranean ports, but also Strasbourg or Bordeaux have shown interest. They would be in charge of marketing the sails to yachtsmen.
Socially committed production
"Our aim is to make a local circular economy, working with local IAE (Institutes for Employment Assistance)" explains the president of Coiffeurs Justes. Manufacturing is in place in a 1st IAE in the south of France and marketing could start in early 2021. 4500 hairdressing salons are now sending their hair to the association via postal parcels. Each hairdresser produces around 500 L of hair per year, which means that 150 boudins can be made per year. By developing the association and the local production network, the Coiffeurs Justes initiative could quickly combine beautiful ecological and social objectives.
