Assessing the Quality of Compost Produced from Human Hair and Pet Fur Waste

Abstract

Composting is an effective waste management alternative that creates a horticultural and agricultural based resource. Globally, large quantities of human hair and pet fur from salons, barber shops, and groomers are disposed of, ultimately ending up in landfills. Thus, incorporating human hair and pet fur into compost is a potential approach for waste diversion. Human hair and pet fur are organic substances that contain nutrients essential for plant growth, have moisture retention properties, and can insulate and stabilize soil. Cumulatively, these properties suggest that hair and fur could be composted to create a valuable product. However, human hair and pet fur also have the capacity to contain heavy metals and/or chemicals from treatments. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of composting human hair and pet fur as an alternative waste management option without sacrificing compost quality standards or safety. To achieve this, compost piles were created using 25% human hair or pet fur, 40% wood chips, and 35% food waste. Piles were mixed twice weekly and monitored every 5–7 days for proper moisture and temperatures in accordance with industry standards. In-vessel composters were used. Piles cured for 4–8 weeks and the entire composting process lasted 5 months. Samples were composited and tested by the Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory’s U.S. Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Approval Program at Pennsylvania State University. In this pilot study, high quality composts were created, indicating that waste management industries can potentially utilize human hair and pet fur as feedstocks to create desirable compost for the horticultural and agricultural industries.