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Hoom

The idea behind Hoom was to explore a no-waste haircutting solution by regeneratively using hair. The outcome was the development of a material that utilizes waste hair as a substrate to grow mycelium products for sale and use in hairdressers, such as lampshades and packaging. This closed-loop approach earned the project the University of Sussex Pitch for the Planet award.

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The Story

Although human hair can biodegrade under certain conditions, this is rarely the case, often rendering it a problematic material that can clog drainage systems, occupy space in landfills, and even carry pathogens.

 

Research revealed that hair can be repurposed to create oil booms and mats designed to absorb oils leaked into the ocean during spills. In 2007, a project in San Francisco took oil-soaked mats made from human hair and grew oyster mushrooms on them. The mushrooms consumed the oil's carbon, along with the hair, resulting in a decontaminated product safe for composting. This concept inspired Hoom, which focuses on growing mycelium instead of just mushrooms. Mycelium shares material properties with plastic alternatives like styrofoam.

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