Human Hair as a Regenerative Material Resource: utilising protein fibre waste in the circular bioeconomy through interdisciplinary collaborative desig

Human hair currently generates 6.5 million kilogrammes of waste in the UK annually. By 2050 it will generate one million tonnes globally - this is nearly the same amount of fibre as current annual wool production - an increase due to our increased world population. This practice-based design research is concerned with the recycling of protein-based waste, exploring human hair as a resource to add value to the circular bioeconomy (CBE). By diverting the resource from landfill, reducing pressure on non-renewable materials in the fibre industry, the research will uncover new, environmentally-beneficial materials and models.CBE plays an important role in responding to the climate emergency. It has begun to extend conventional approaches to designing with waste by using natural, regenerative systems. This has brought us new, biobased materials. While the recycling of plant-based and man-made materials has gained momentum, the full landscape of protein-based fibres has been underexplored. Alongside other animal-derived protein fibres, human hair is an abundant waste stream. It does not yet have a closed-loop system for recovery and regeneration, despite its harmful, yet also valuable, properties. Utilising protein-based fibres will add value to the CBE if examined from a holistic perspective, using interdisciplinary collaboration and design-driven practice, taking into account the aesthetic, ethical, social, economic and cultural values of newly generated biomaterials. As a creative design researcher, I will develop renewable biobased materials from hair waste including textiles and bioplastics, utilising green chemical and mechanical recycling methods by collaborating across the fields of science, design, arts and culture. Participatory design and reflective practice are key methods used to stimulate innovative systems/materials/products. Interviews, workshops, field research and residencies with scientific partners and cultural institutes combined with material development will form the core part of the practice-based research. Resulting into a physical showcase and final written thesis.