Now in it’s 20th anniversary year, The World’s Greatest Shave is committed to supporting Cancer sufferers and Leukaemia research, all the while helping the environment.
Through a partnership with Sustainable Salons Australia, hair that is shaved and collected from a forecasted 20,000 individuals will be put to new use, diverting binned locks away from landfill.
Excitingly – and for the first time in the fundraiser’s history – any shorter clippings or dyed hair will be collected for composting purposes, or transformed into floating hair booms which will be used to absorb ocean oil spills. Ponytails longer than 20cm will continue to be used in the creation of wigs for individuals suffering from medically induced hair loss.
Championed as “a win for Aussies and a win for the environment” by the Leukaemia Foundation, Head of Fundraising Dave Simms emphasised the significance of the dual initiative. “It’s incredible to think your hair could end up floating on the Great Barrier Reef blocking an oil spill or made into a wig to help those who haven’t lost their hair by choice.”
Sustainable Salons Australia will also divert coloured hairspray cans used during the World’s Greatest Shave away from landfill and into recycled resources. This complements their regular waste recovery service; involving the collection of up to 95% of hair salon waste for wig re-purposing and the recycling of metals and chemicals.
“Hair is such a powerful resource. Not only does it have amazing repurposing opportunities, but it’s [uses are] unlimited!” explains Sustainable Salons Co-Founder Paul Frasca. “In a world where our natural resources are in steady decline, why are we dumping this valuable commodity in landfill?”.
All hair and color spray cans can be dropped off at any World’s Greatest Shave public event or simply posted to: World’s Greatest Shave Ponytails, c/o Sustainable Salons Australia, 15 Salisbury St, Botany, NSW, 2019.
Visit: http://sustainablesalons.com.au
Words by Grace Ormsby