Promoting circular economy through recycling of human hair waste

Abstract

The global quest for sustainable and ecologically responsible practices has driven the circular economy idea to the forefront of research management directions. Traditional linear production and consumption methods continue to deplete natural resources and contribute to waste accumulation, necessitating the development of novel solutions to move to more regenerative and efficient systems. Human hair debris which is sometimes disregarded and discarded after haircuts or as a result of beauty industry procedures has extraordinary qualities that can be utilized for a variety of purposes. The possibility of recycling human hair debris to contribute to a circular economy is investigated in this study. The study adopted a case study approach to explore the possibilities of human hair waste in promoting circular economy. In this study, existing literature serves as the primary source of data, facilitating a comprehensive analysis of the study. data analysis involved a systematic and structured approach to provide meaningful insights from gathered information, it employed qualitative content analysis to examine and interpret the textual data.

The findings indicate several benefits may be obtained by reusing this sometimes-overlooked resource, including reduced landfill load, environmental contamination, and dependency on virgin materials. Human hair waste may be converted into natural fertilizer in agriculture, and human hair fibers may be blended into textiles in the textile industry, giving an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic materials. Technological breakthrough makes it easier to collect and process human hair waste assuring their safe incorporation into a variety of goods. However, cultural, and societal stigmas must be overcome for hair recycling procedures to be widely accepted. In conclusion, the study underlines the significance of identifying human hair waste as a valuable resource capable of playing a critical role in supporting the circular economy. Societies may minimize trash output, save resources, and develop a more harmonious connection between human activity and the environment by combining new recycling processes with sustainable consumption habits. This comprehensive study not only demonstrates the possibilities of human hair recycling but also highlights the larger paradigm shift toward a regenerative and circular future.