Hair to absorb pollutants
We've known for several years now that the chemical characteristics of hair make it capable of being used to collect hydrocarbons. The Coiffeurs Justes association, launched in 2015 by Thierry Gras, therefore decided to recycle the many hairs cut every day in hairdressing salons to give them a new use rather than incinerating them. The association has teamed up with Serpol, a specialist in depollution, to create the Ecofhair company, to develop and market hair-based products to combat hydrocarbon pollution.
Keeping a clean engine shim
Ecofhair has developed a range of solutions to combat pollution, starting with marine pollution, under the name Capisorb. The hair is mixed with recycled plastics, then packaged in a variety of ways to suit different uses. These can be large or small strands in recycled nylon stocking tubes. Smaller models are used to clean up engine bilges. Placed on the bottom of the boat, they will absorb excess oil or drops of lost fuel over time. The larger, floating models can be used as dams in harbors, or, as is already the case in some ports, can be positioned along the pontoons of fuel pontoons to collect any accidental spills.
For occasional use, squares of absorbent wipes are also available. For professionals with heavy workshop use, Ecofhair also offers rolls.
Appealing to yachtsmen and harbourmasters
Boaters can purchase their Capisorb kit online, including 2 socks and their recovery bags, once the sock is saturated. The life of the 300g bladder is announced at 4 months, excluding damage, before having to be deposited in an oil and hydrocarbon collection point in the port. The price at the end of 2023 was ?72 incl. VAT. But Ecofhair is also counting on harbourmasters' offices to distribute its products to boaters and equip their waters.
