India Cleans Rivers with Donated Human Hair

Why this is here: Hair can absorb up to nine times its own weight in oil, making it a surprisingly effective material for cleaning polluted waterways.

Rahul Gupta and the Kesakambali Foundation in India use donated human hair to absorb pollutants from rivers. The foundation places mats woven from hair into canals near Gurugram. These mats soak up oil, grease, and other waste before it reaches the Yamuna River.

The hair absorbs roughly seven to nine times its weight in oil. Early results show these mats reduced biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand levels by nearly 40%. Once saturated, the hair is recycled into mulch for agriculture, avoiding landfill waste.

Gupta initially faced resistance to the idea. People held superstitions and expressed fears about the practice.

Despite these challenges, the foundation has processed over 1,000 kg of hair. India currently exports about 3,000 tonnes of human hair annually, presenting a readily available resource. The project continues to seek wider hair donations and expanded implementation.