Millerton businesses help oil spill with hair

MILLERTON — Hair is probably not the first thing one thinks about when trying to brainstorm about ways to deal with the oil spill off the Gulf Coast. That, however, just means the concept of “hairapy� hasn’t been introduced to one’s frame of reference yet.

The catchy phrase is part of the strategy behind a couple of Millerton businesses’ efforts to help clean up the devastating effects of the recent oil spill. The Hylton Hundt salon, for one, is working in concert with the nonprofit organization Matter of Trust, which collects hair clippings to make hairmats and hair booms (hair stuffed into tubes made from recycled nylons tied together).

The reason? Hair soaks up oil. And it does it really well.

“You shampoo your hair because hair collects oil,� said inventor and stylist Phil McCrory. “Hair is very efficient at gathering oil out of the air, off surfaces like your skin and out of the water, even petroleum oil. Hair is adsorbent [as in ‘clings to,’ unlike absorbent, which is to ‘soak up’].�

The hair that is used for the mats and booms is donated from salons across the country, shipped in boxes recycled from the salons’ own inventory. Dog groomers are also getting involved; in fact, Sand Road Veterinary and Ledgewood Kennel are both participating in the collection efforts.

“We have been collecting wool from sheep shearing, hair from dog grooming and horse hair from horses shedding out,� Ledgewood Kennel owner Kirby Barrett said, adding that she and her husband, Chip, have also offered storage space at the kennel to Hylton Hundt for its hair donations. “What I would be looking for is if anybody wants to donate not hair but shipping costs to send the hair. Whoever ships the hair is responsible for shipping costs.�

And that can add up. But, both Barrett and Hundt said, it’s a worthy cause, as the project puts to use that which would ordinarily be seen as rubbish.

“We’re always trying to think, what could we do with the hair we throw away?� said Hylton Hundt co-owner Bonnie Hundt. “This just makes perfect sense. Hair has this unique quality and this is such a good reason, to pick up the oil, and then they can reuse them again, so it’s a renewable thing for something that otherwise would just get thrown away. Hopefully, it will help.�

That’s why Hundt, and those at her salon, have organized “Hairapy,� set for Friday, May 28, from 3 to 7 p.m. The event will offer clients a chance to get a raffle ticket and a haircut and a blowdry for $50, if they are among the first dozen to make their appointments. Raffle tickets alone cost $25. The raffle includes gifts like a free color and cut from Hylton Hundt Salon (worth $120); a gift basket from the salon (worth $100); a Hammertown Barn gift basket, including a $50 gift card (worth $200); a Sand Road Animal Hospital gift basket (one for a dog and one for a cat); and more. Those who stop by the salon on the 28th will also be treated to wine, cheese and good conversation, all while trying to save the Gulf Coast.

“I’m very upset with this oil spill. It’s so irresponsible, and the thing that upsets me the most are the turtles, the birds and all the fish, not to mention the livelihood of all the fishermen,� Hundt said. “Not to mention who else and where else will be effected by this. The oil is getting into the currents now.

“It’s really empowering to be able to try to help,� she added. “I’m sure it’s going to inspire us to see what else we can do. We are aware of the environment and I think a lot of the people who come here are as well. And to motivate people in this case on a larger scale, well, it takes this to make changes in the world.�

For more information on “Hairapy� and the Matter of Trust collection, call 518-789-9390. To contact the Ledgewood Kennel, call 518-789-6353.