Knitting sweaters from human hair

The textile industry is the second largest polluter in the world that leads to a chain reaction of nasty results: loss of biodiversity, water pollution and soil erosion are just a few of them. Thus the sourcing and production of clothing should be done more ethically and sustainably in order to counter these negative afairs. Fortunately, more and more sustainable materials are being developed that offer solutions for our future conscious wardrobe. That's how we got into the work of Zsofia Kollar, who took the subject a little closer to home by researching how to make clothes out of human hair. Enter the Human Material Loop.

In Europe alone, 72 million tons of human hair is thrown away every year. And that’s a pity, because it’s perfectly cut out for the making of textiles. Human hair is mainly just a keratin protein fiber, just like wool which also has a lot of positive qualities. The material is non-toxic, lightweight and retains heat. And we don't have to be afraid of icky prickling sweaters either: human hair doesn't itch.

Kollar's project collects human waste hair and turns it into high-quality textiles within a closed recycling system. Closed loop recycling is the process of producing something new with waste material that has no negative impact on the climate. Kollar does this by using locally produced materials, which also reduces the ecological footprint and supports local businesses. By producing on a small scale, you prevent a lot of waste and ensure that the work is done ethically and responsibly.

Human Material Loop shows that the answer to problems is often closer than you think and wants to launch a true textile revolution with their concept to show that people are not above, but equal to the ecosystem.