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Hays salon donating hair to Gulf oil spill cleanup

5/20/2010
By DAWNE LEIKER Special to the Journal

HAYS -- A Hays hair stylist has joined salons across the U.S., pitching in to aid Gulf Coast oil spill cleanup efforts through donations of human hair.

Kayla Acosta, of Mane Attractions Salon, 2502 Vine, said she became interested in the hair donation project when she saw a television news segment about Matter of Trust, a nonprofit organization with a mission to "link ideas, spark action and materialize sustainable systems," according to its website.

Matter of Trust helps link nonprofit needs with in-kind donations involving thousands of grassroots organizations, recyclers and green businesses.

With 15 locations in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida, thousands of volunteers have signed up to stuff nylon stockings with human and animal hair clippings to create a hair boom. Oil adheres to the fibers in the hair, which acts as a bonding agent to remove excess oil from water.

Acosta signed on with the organization to donate hair from her clients and began collecting hair May 10. Receiving daily e-mail communications from Excess Access, the online arm of Matter of Trust, Acosta is notified where to send donations, and information about cooperative efforts between volunteers and British Petroleum officials.

Acosta has posted updates and information on her Facebook page and created flyers to spread the word about the collection efforts. She said her clients have been receptive to the idea of donating hair to Matter of Trust.

She also is taking donations from a friend who works with a dog groomer and a friend who will shear a 4-H sheep.

"This is a good way for people to help out," she said. "If you've ever thought about how you can do something for the Gulf Coast, this is your chance."

Although she hasn't weighed the hair that's been collected, Acosta said two 13-gallon bags have been filled, and a third bag is in the process of being filled.

"I tease my husband that the only way I'm going to go on vacation this summer is by cutting my hair," she said with a laugh. "Then a piece of me gets to go to the coast."