The oil rig blowout in the Gulf of Mexico has been big news since it happened on April 20, and many Americans are searching for ways to participate in the clean-up. Although it’s unclear how much oil has spewed into the ocean, no one is debating that it will take long hours, huge funds and a lot of manpower to clean up the oil.

One way to lend a hand is by donating hair to help create hair booms. Hair booms are simply stockings or nylons filled with hair. These booms are then placed in the water near oil spills, and the oil adheres to the hair, removing some of it from the water. Booms can be reused after oil is squeezed out of them.

Create your own hair boom:

Both salons and groomers regularly send their waste hair to Matter of Trust, a non-profit orginzation that creates booms and make sure they get to oil spills.

Horse owners can get involved too by donating horse hair.

However, there are some stipulations. The hair or fur must be clean and cannot contain debris or other particles.

For instance, you could donate horse hair if you bathe and body clip your horse and sweep the leavings off a clean floor.

But they do not want the hair if you’ve curried your muddy, shedding horse and then grabbed the piles of hair that fell into the shavings.

To donate, you’ll need to register with Matter of Trust, but don’t worry it is free. Donating details can be found on the Matter of Trust website.