When people go to the salon most never think about of the hair that ends up on the ground.

To the surprise of many, it can actually go to good use.

“My hair can do some good, it’s great,” said Jessica Whitton as she was having her hair colored in preparation for hair extensions at the “Sparkle Beauty Bar” in northeast Portland.

“We all kind of just try to be eco friendly,” said AnnSimone Mickelberry, co-owner of Sparkle Beauty Bar.

Mickelberry and her business partners knew there was much more life left to the discarded hair clippings. “That was really our primary goal is to be a salon that was environmentally friendly and not throw anything out,” said Mickelberry.

An organization called Matter of Trust will press the hair into mats that can absorb oil.

At the salon nothing goes to waste. Hair clippings that normally go in the trash will eventually clean up oil spills. So far 75 pounds of hair is boxes, all collected since the Sparkle opened a year ago.

“There’s tons and tons of different uses for it that people aren’t taking advantage out there,” said Mickelberry.

Hair can be also be used as a slow release protein fertilizer for organic farming, according to Mickelberry.

Whitton did not know hair had so much use after it is cut off. “As long as the hair on my head looks good, they can do whatever they want with the rest of it."

A fast trip to the salon could end up being longer lasting contribution to the environment.