FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Francisco //   IN THE UK – HAIR MATTERS!  Hair Mulch is a wonder and The Quiet Fiber Cycle Field Study Project is receiving donations of hair, pet fur and wool clippings from all over the UK!

Field Project Location: Wild Ken Hill Estates Norfolk, UK
Press contact on site:  Lisa Gautier +1-415-235-2403   lisa@matteroftrust.org
Dates:  Best days for press March 15-17 2025

• March 14 – First Arrivals – Matter of Trust, Fiber, Volunteers
• March 15 – Installation Start
• March 19 – Installation End

Project Overview
This project aims to improve soil quality through the use of Hair Mulch, comparing effectiveness of hair, wool, and pet fur mulch. Researching the natural complementary / symbiotic relationship with varying amounts of compost. The trial will assess moisture retention, nutrient release, nitrogen levels and microbial activity enhancement to determine how different fibers contribute to soil health.

We will be covering approximately 1/2 ha of land with approximately 1.2 tons of hair, 1 ton of fur and 4 tons of wool, sourced from various fiber-recycling initiatives throughout the UK. The project draws inspiration from Matter of Trust’s Presidio Trust field study, which demonstrated the regenerative potential of hair fibers in soil applications (reference project).

What is Hair Mulch?
Hair Mulch is 100% natural, biodegradable soil amendment made from recycled hair, fur and wool fibers from households, salons, groomers, shelters, ranchers, recyclers, wigmakers, wool spinners, mini mills and more. Hair contains keratin, a protein that breaks down slowly, releasing nitrogen into the soil, adding carbon and increasing water retention. Unlike traditional mulches, hair decomposes over years, enhancing microbial and fungal activity, attracting moths, butterflies, and increasing soil fertility.

What is The Quiet Fiber Cycle?
The Quiet Fiber Cycle is an innovative (or we like to say pre-industrial) perspective for approaching local fiber waste recycling and utilization. Inspired by natural cycles of regeneration. It emphasizes the timeline of natural animal fibers (winter coats shedding in springtime), particularly focusing on hair, fur, wool, and alpaca – all biodegradable, supporting soil health and ecological balance.

Key aspects of The Quiet Fiber Cycle include:

• Hair Mulch for Soil Regeneration – Hair (hydrophobic) and fur / wool (retaining moisture) act as a natural mulch, substrate and fertilizer. Providing protection from harsh weather, releasing nutrients, and fostering beneficial microbial activity in the soil (substrate for mycelium).
• Pest Management & Habitat Support – Hair repels certain unwanted pests while enticing pollinators thus playing a role in natural ecosystems.
• Fungal & Microbial Partnerships – Mycelium in the soil interacts with hair fibers, helping to break down essential nutrients like phosphorus and potassium.
• Climate Benefits & Water Conservation – Using fiber-based mulch reduces the need for irrigation by up to 50% and minimizes the reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

Partners from around the World are Convening & Collaborating in Norfolk, UK

Wild Soils (Ben Padwick, Nick Padwick)
Wild Soils, run by Nick and Ben, specializes in natural composting and regenerative farming practices. They bring expertise in monitoring soil health and will oversee the testing and comparison of fiber-based mulch sites in this project. https://www.wildsoils.co.uk

Matter of Trust HQ – Public Charity (Lisa Gautier, President – will be on site in Norfolk)
Matter of Trust, an environmental nonprofit est. 1998, has pioneered many ecological and fiber initiatives, including Hair Mats for oil spills and Hair Mulch for soil regeneration. Lisa gathers partners, press, and funders for in-house and field studies. As founder, she gladly coordinates planet-friendly programs linking surplus with needs. www.matteroftrust.org

Green Salon Collective (Jess Rigg)
A key advocate for sustainable salon practices, GSC collects and repurposes salon waste, ensuring that recyclables and fiber-based materials are effectively used for environmental projects. www.greensaloncollective.com

The Natural Fibre Company (Beki Gilbert)
The Natural Fibre Company is a spinning mill and network connecting various eco-fiber initiatives, supporting textile waste reduction and circular economy projects involving organic fibers such as wool and animal fur. www.thenaturalfibre.co.uk

Terre de Couleur (Nazish Saad Munchenbach)
Terre de Couleur, a professional organic hair care and color brand in France. The company focuses on removing toxins from hair and hair bulbs and believes in promoting safe and healthy alternatives for salon professionals. www.terredecouleur.com – nazish@terredecouleur.com

TheHumSum.org (a free program for organizing the fiber donors and recipients)
The Hum Sum, an eco social media platform, where fiber donors contribute hair, wool, and pet fur globally, promoting local fibers for local solutions and expanding access to naturally abundant, renewable resources for regenerative projects. www.thehumsum.org 

Matter of Trust Scotland (Chelsea Knight)
The Scottish branch of Matter of Trust, led by Chelsea, focuses on alternatives to monoculture, local fiber recycling and hair collection networks, contributing to regenerative environmental solutions throughout the UK.

Matter of Trust Isle of Wight (Sally Denyer)
Sally manages Matter of Trust’s operations on the Isle of Wight, emphasizing hair fiber applications for soil and water conservation and working with local hair salons to collect fiber waste.

Matter of Trust – Global Hubs Director (Mattia Carenini)

Matter of Trust – Social Media (Imani Wilson and Joyce Joseph)

Matter of Trust – Hair Matters Research (Lillian Stone)

Matter of Trust – TheHumSum.org platform (Philip Lam, Kevin Randall, Andi Rice)

PROJECT GOALS and EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Evaluate the effectiveness of Hair Mulch, Wool Mulch, and Pet Fur Mulch in improving soil quality.
• Compare moisture retention, decomposition rates, and microbial activity between fiber-based mulches.
• Promote the importance of composting – the power of careful sorting of green waste and the value of high quality compost for farms and gardens.
• Rediscovery of The Quiet Fiber Cycle – the general public can reflect on how, 150 years ago,  animal fiber used to gently fall everywhere. Springtime saw shedding horses, stray cats and dogs. There were no poisoned mice, bunnies, or gophers.  We had largely unpaved roads, no vacuums, or garbage pick ups, and no planes diverting bird migration patterns.
• Demonstrate a scalable circular economy model for recycling natural fibers and compost in agriculture.
• Engage local fiber recycling networks and encourage sustainable waste management practices sorting waste into resources.
• Google Earth fun visuals growing over time – Global Paw Print, Smiley Face, and a Woolly Sheep!