GGHS — Greece Green Hair Solutions
Circular economy in practice

We turn hair clippings into environmental and social solutions.

We are planning a new life for hair: less waste, environmental applications and inclusive work. We are looking for the people and partnerships that can turn this plan into practice.

A public demonstration of environmental uses for hair
A public demonstration of hair-based applications.Photo: Partner archive
The next step starts here.

GGHS has not yet been legally established. Collection, trials and commercial activity have not started. We are preparing small-scale studies and seeking university collaborations and the necessary approvals.

Built with shared knowledge, strong partnerships and clear commitments.

Matter of TrustInternational know-howHair Matters (formerly Clean Wave)HIGGSOrganisational developmentMember of the HIGGS Incubator programme
Our mission

What is discarded today can help protect water, support soil and create work.

Every day, hair clippings and pet fur are mixed into general waste. We want to keep this material in use.

We are planning a Greek network of businesses that separate and send hair, alongside trials of soil applications and absorbent products. The same model can create practical green jobs for people who face barriers to entering or returning to work.

How GGHS began →
What we do

Three practical moves that connect environmental and social value.

We start with what can be done and measured: clean separation at source, responsible product development and dignified, inclusive work.

01

We plan collection

We plan to invite salons, barber shops and pet groomers to separate clean, dry clippings for shipment to Athens once the pilot begins.

Shipping guidance →
02

We plan trials

We are planning parallel small-scale studies of soil applications, booms and mats, with research partners and the required approvals.

Explore the solutions →
A person holding a mat made from hair fibres
03

We plan inclusive work

We design training and production roles that can adapt to people’s real skills and needs.

How it works

A small change in a daily routine. A new life for the material.

01

Separate at source

A salon, barber shop or pet groomer keeps clean, dry clippings in a dedicated container.

02

Send to GGHS

Participating businesses will package and send hair to GGHS after receiving acceptance and shipping instructions.

03

Process and test

The material is sorted and made into prototypes that are tested before any application.

04

Use with care

Municipalities, marinas, businesses and researchers can take part in controlled pilot trials.

Our solutions

Hair is a natural fibre. We are learning how to use it responsibly.

These are proposed areas for parallel small-scale studies, not products currently offered by GGHS.

Test plots using hair in soil
Planned trials

Soil applications

Studying hair as an ingredient in soil improvers, with appropriate analysis and protocols.

Hands filling a mesh boom with hair
Planned trials

Absorbent booms

Flexible barriers for controlled use around drains, equipment and identified risk points.

An absorbent mat made from hair fibres
Planned trials

Absorbent mats

Flat filters for small spills, workshops, machinery and surface protection.

Explore the solutions and testing stages →
What research tells us3–9×

In laboratory tests, human hair retained oil equal to 3–9 times its own weight, depending on the oil and test conditions.

Read the published study ↗

Evidence comes before application.

International experience is valuable, but it does not replace local testing. We aim to measure oil uptake, retention, buoyancy and safe end-of-use handling in collaboration with qualified bodies.

The 3–9× figure is a laboratory range, not a performance promise for every product.

A team working together with natural fibres
Production can be organised into clear, practical and accessible steps.Photo: Matter of Trust
A three-year horizon

From formation to research and responsible growth.

A proposed roadmap with clear stages and conditions — not results already achieved.

Explore the three-year plan →
Why hair?

A material that already exists in every neighbourhood.

01

Collected every day

No new raw material needs to be produced. It simply needs to stay clean and separate.

02

A natural affinity with oil

Its structure helps it retain oil — a property explored in published research.

03

Locally available

Every participating business can become a small point in a circular network.

04

Rich research potential

From filters to soil applications, each possibility deserves testing, measurement and shared learning.

Partnerships that help us build well

GGHS is not starting from scratch. We build on international know-how and Greek support.

Let’s make it useful

Change begins with one simple choice: keeping this material separate.