My hair does what?

I got my bangs trimmed by the incredible Shelby at Mood Swings today and came across something awesome. There was a poster explaining a new program that allows salons and individuals to donate hair cut clippings to an organization where they are woven into mats that are used to clean up oil spills. Sounds INSANE...but I went to the Web site and it's legit. Here is an excerpt from www.matteroftrust.org:

Matter of Trust is collaborating with thousands of salons throughout the US and abroad, that donate their hair clippings to soak up oil spills. Last year over 2,600 oil spills occurred in the world. They weren't all are high profile, but most had an impact on the environment. Phil McCrory, a hair stylist from Alabama, first discovered how hair can help. He was watching CNN coverage on the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. He noticed the fur on the Alaskan otters completely soaked with oil. He began testing how much oil he could collect with the hair clipping from his salon. Phil then invented the hairmat which has other uses as well. Hair also provides a slow protein release which is excellent for flower growers.

I heart social responsibility. It's incredible that everyday individuals are accomplishing some wide-reaching and highly effective ways to help the environment.