By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
While some teens may split hairs over the latest styles for their locks, mops or manes, two Bowling Green High School students will be getting their hair snipped for an environmental cause.
And they are hoping others join them in the “Waves for Change” solution to protect waterways and wildlife from oil spills.
Sage Martinez and Paige Suelzer, both seniors in the DECA program under adviser Cara Maxey, are asking fellow students and community members to give up at least one inch of hair to help a non-profit create hair mats to help clean up oil spills in waterways.
Two hair salons in Bowling Green have signed up to help with the project and collect the trimmed tresses to send to Matter of Trust, an eco-activist non-profit agency that makes the mats.
Anyone willing to have an inch or more trimmed to help the cause is asked to make an appointment at SASS Salon and Spa or at Gallery Salon and Spa, for Thursday, Friday or Saturday (1/18-1/20).
People donating their hair will get a $5 coupon to go toward their cut.
Sage and Paige wanted to select a community giving program for their DECA competitive project. And Sage happened upon an Instagram video that explained the process of making hair mats to soak up oil spills.
“We realized this would be something good,” Paige said. “It can really make a difference.”
“By donating, our community will be aiding in cleaning up our oceans to help protect birds, otters, and other sea life that are severely impacted by oil spills,” the DECA promotional materials state.
The idea to use hair to clean up petroleum products was reportedly conceived by Phil McCrory, a hair stylist and inventor from Alabama. In 1989, he was washing an oily head of hair while watching news coverage of otters covered in petrol during the Exxon Valdez accident in Alaska. It occurred to him that he was cutting fiber that could be used to soak up oil spills.
Hair is ultra absorbent, with one pound of hair having the ability to soak up a liter of oil in less than a minute.
The Matter of Trust organization began a partnership with McCrory. Through the “Clean Wave” program, the non-profit promotes large-scale waste fiber recycling.
Using clippings of hair from salons, fur from pet groomers, fleece from farmers, and even laundry lint, the organization produces felted recycled fiber mats. These go to public works departments for use in storm drains. The non-profit also coordinates with emergency clean water efforts to supply stuffed sausage-shaped booms that can “sandbag” and protect coves and beaches.
Rebecca Brockway at SASS Salon volunteered to help with the DECA project.
“I think it’s important to support the girls, especially when they want to help the environment,” Brockway said. “How can you not want to help?”
Paige and Sage are hoping that fellow classmates and community members donate hair to the project.
“We have posters pretty much everywhere,” Sage said. “People at school are pretty engaged.”
To further entice students, Paige and Sage have plans to set up a mini inflatable pool full of water, with some dyed black vegetable oil added to it. People will be able to bob for toy ducks, and DECA will pass out information on the “Waves for Change” event.
The two girls hope that at least 100 people donate hair over the three days, with at least 200 inches being clipped.
“That’s our very ambitious goal,” Paige said.
Appointments can be scheduled at SASS, 347 N. Maple St., by calling 419-353-6263, or at Gallery, 165 N. Main St. #2, by calling 419-352-4247.
