I have been reading a lot lately on ways they plan to clean up the oil spill in the gulf of Mexico. If there is anything good to come out of the Exxon Valdez spill a few years back, it is that we are better prepared to deal with this disaster. Don’t get me wrong, this is a HUGE problem and the effects that it will have on wildlife, the economy of the Gulf states, tourism in Central America, and the oceans cannot even be calculated. We have yet to even stop the flow of oil into the gulf. While you are reading this one sentence another 25 gallons have spilled into the ocean.
One thing that has been found to help clean up an oil mess is natural and fairly abundant. Hair. Hair, fur, and the like are natural absorbers of oil and dirt. That is why we wash it so often. It is being collected and turned into mats that can be used on the water as well as the beaches to absorb the massive petroleum spill. I have even heard of these mats ebing composted or used to grow mushrooms. In 2007, this method was used to help clean up an oil spill in California (watch the video below). TO think with all the pets and people getting clipped every day and all that mess is going into landfill. Now we have figured out a use for it. I hope that once this mess is done, that perhaps the government and oil companies will begin to stockpile these hair mats for just such an emergency. Want to know how you can help? I got this email today:
News Release! Please Help!
Companies Helping to Ameliorate Damage From the Oil Spill
Camp Bow Wow and Home Buddies by Camp Bow Wow, the nation’s largest pet services company is offering a unique way to help out. The company has reached out to all of its franchisees (200+ throughout the US and Canada), asking them to collect dog hair and fur after a pet’s grooming, which will then be used to create oil booms to help ameliorate the disaster.
Franchisees will be donating any type of fur, hair, feathers, natural fibers and used nylons to create oil booms, which will help soak up oil from the spill in the Gulf. These fur oil booms are then used to contain the spill. Matter of Trust, a 501(c)3 non-profit, is coordinating this effort nationwide by sending all fur/hair to the region. As a leader in the pet services industry, Camp Bow Wow and Home Buddies are helping to bring this effort to light and raise awareness for the ways in which companies can help out on the local and national level.
Individual franchises throughout the US will be aiding in collecting hair / fur / fibers from their neighborhoods and bringing awareness to this cause by putting up flyers, info on their websites, etc.
“As there are growing concerns that the oil spill in the Gulf may now eclipse the Exxon Valdez spill, we want to do our part in helping with the cleanup. Pet hair is an absorbent and can be used to create oil absorbing mats. By collecting pet hair after grooming at our franchise locations, we will be able to use our resources to aid in the effort,” noted Heidi Ganahl, CEO and Founder of Camp Bow Wow and Home Buddies.
Camp Bow Wow of Strongsville is an Official Drop Off Site! If you are interested in donating, please visit Strongsville Camp Bow Wow or Home Buddies in Strongsville, to drop off hair / fur. 440-572-3200. Fur and Hair does not have to be freshly shampooed to be dropped off, but must not be filthy.
Several businesses in the area are already pitching in, including hair salons & dog groomers!
If you own a pet, a salon, or know someone who does, think seriously about chipping in here and giving your old hair a new life.
Tags: environment, oil spill
