Big Hair for Big Oil -- by Green is Sexy

Something to talk about at the hair salon, from Green is Sexy by 3 young American women.
It hasn’t yet been two weeks since the catastrophic explosion that caused an oil spill from a BP offshore drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, which is currently releasing 5,000 barrels of oil per day. Efforts to manage the spill with controlled burning, dispersal and plugging the leak were unsuccessful, so this oil spill is on track to become the worst oil spill in history, surpassing the damage done by the Exxon Valdez tanker that spilled 11 million gallons of oil into the Prince William Sound in 1989. It goes without saying that this is a huge deal and poses a serious threat to marine habitats, beaches, wildlife, human health and the livelihoods of fisherman.

While this tragedy may seem overwhelming, you’re not powerless! No matter how far you may live from the Gulf Coast, you can still help out by donating your hair. For real! Oil spill hair mats, which are the size of doormats and feel like Brillo pads, have proven extremely successful in the absorption of oil (think of how much oil your hair can hold when you go camping). When the hair mats have absorbed all the oil they can, oyster mushrooms are cultivated on the mats to absorb all the oil and turn the hair into nontoxic compost. Cool, right?

San Francisco nonprofit Matter of Trust plans to donate hair mats to the BP oil spill cleanup and you can help by donating your unused inches to the cause. What better excuse do you need to rock a shorter ‘do? You can even donate fur from your pet! If you’re feeling extra sexy (and we know you are), you’ll organize your salon, friends, sports team, office or whatever crew you roll with to donate their hair as well. For more info, check out the Hair for Oil Spills Program info on Matter of Trust’s website.

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Aren't you glad they let us little folk help in saving the environment?