Cropped mops to help stop oil

UNWANTED split ends from across Essex are winging their way to the crisis-hit Gulf of Mexico.

Taking recycling to a remarkable level, hair cut from Essex mops at a chain of salons and normally destined for the dustbin is now being sent to do its bit to avoid environmental disaster thousands of miles away.

Subject:chain of hair salons are collecting hair to send to gulf of mexico Location:Feathers Hair Salon, Quest Place, 127 High Street, Maldon CM9 5BS
Start:Fri 21/05/2010 14:00 End:Fri 21/05/2010 17:00
Area:Maldon Contact Name(s):Jeff Letter MD or staff at salon Phone Number(s):Jeff 07752 984247 / 0845 652 4400 Publication:Essex Chronicle [Town] Reporter:Jenny Grant Serial Number:E20JQ38
Caption: Left to right, Steph Charlton (Future Professional), Nicola Clark (Owner), and Cheryl Huck
SHIPPING CLIPPINGS: Steph Charlton, Nicola Clark and Cheryl Huckerby at Feathers Hair Salon in Maldon E20JQ38
CRISIS: Gulf of Mexico oil spill
HARD WORK: Cleaning up in the Gulf of Mexico

Hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil have been spewing into the sea since a rig exploded there on April 20.

The locks, which are good at absorbing oil, will be sent to the disaster zone, packed into nylon "sausages" and used as booms to protect beaches from the slick.

Customers at Feathers Salons, which has six branches including in Braintree, Witham, Maldon and Chelmsford, have been stunned to hear the journey their hair clippings have in store.

The idea was first suggested by stylist and partner at the Maldon branch, Nicola Clark.

"I was watching a salon programme in America and they were donating their clippings.

"I know they're much closer to the disaster zone but, the more I thought about it, the more I thought, 'Why can't we do it, too?'"

A quick phone call to Feathers managing director Jeff Letter got the ball rolling.

"The idea is something we have been aware of," said Jeff.

"I got in contact with charity Matter of Trust, who are coordinating the salons across America and we started doing it with them, too.

"Next week I go out and get married in Florida – on a beach on the Gulf of Mexico. So I have been watching the story intently. It's good to be able to help."

Hair from the 1,200 cuts the salons carry out every week is collected into boxes, packed into bin bags and shipped to salon head office in Colchester, from where it is sent out to the Gulf.

And though somewhat bemused, customers have been keen to help too.

"People have been really amazed," said Nicola.

"They question how their hair can possibly help. But everyone's been happy, no one has said we can't use their hair!"