(DUBUQUE)–Everyday oil from the Gulf of Mexico’s oil spill creeps a little closer to the shores of the surrounding states.  And even though the spill is thousands of miles away, local salons here in Dubuque have found a way to contribute to the cleanup efforts.

Before the oil spill students like, Sherry Ann Abing, at Capri College would throw

Sweeping up hair clippings for Matters of Trusts.

away the hair clippings from their clients. However with suggestions from Abing, Capri no longer puts the clippings to waste.   They are currently sweeping these clippings into a collection for a national group called, Matters of Trust.

Abing explains the objective of Matters of Trust, “They’re people taking clean hair and hair clippings from salons making mats out of them to clean up all oil spills.”

One pound of hair can potentially clean up five gallons of oil in two minutes.  Knowing this Abing suggested collecting for Matters of Trust months before the Gulf’s oil spill but it was really the spill that drove them to join the groups cause.

Abing said, “It just took this disaster to come in play where we ended up jumping in and saying, ‘Let’s go, let’s do this.’”

Hair naturally soaks up oil and recycling it is easy and cost efficient. “What better

Hair naturally soaks up oil and moisture.

way than to use something natural reuse it, recycle it, to help clean up oil spills all over,” Abing said.

Dubuquer’s find this collection of recycled hair one of the best ways they can help the world clean up.

Capri client, Brittney Dunmed went to Capri to get a haircut without the previous knowledge of the hair clipping donations. She commented, “I think it’s great. I’m really excited to help out with my hair.”

Client, Jeff Bushman shared the same experience.  He expressed, “It’s a win-win, helping out with the oil spill and then using it and they won’t be just throwing it away.”

Salons all around the Dubuque area have joined Capri and are now sweeping up

Capri clients are glad to hear their clippings are going to help with the oil relief.

their hair clippings. “We are all try to do what’s best for the community, right here as well as around the United States and even further,” said co-owner of Amirage Salon.

Capri College is the drop off site for all the salons in Dubuque area and will be indefinitely collecting their donation.

To see how hair mats are used to soak up oil click here.