Rosemary Gambino, owner of Rosecuts Salon on Causeway Road in Vineyard Haven, is spearheading a Vineyard effort to collect hair, fur and wool trimmings and nylons to aid in the cleanup of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that has spewed millions of gallons of crude oil since the April 20 explosion.

Matter of Trust, a not-for-profit organization, is orchestrating an International Natural Fiber Recycling System. The nylons and clippings are used to make booms that protect beaches and coastal waters. Hair and fur is believed to be as effective, if not more so, than petroleum fiber-based boom materials. After hair soaks up the oil, it can be mixed 9:1 with green waste, composted over two years, and fed to worms. The bacteria in the compost and worms break down the oil and the worms create a fantastic fertilizer.

Interested salon owners, pet groomers, horse owners and other individuals are asked to save trimmings and pantyhose. Rosecuts will collect and pay to ship the materials to Matter of Trust. For details on this safe, non-toxic effective way to participate in the Gulf Spill cleanup, call Rosecuts at 508-693-5362 or rosecutsmv@yahoo.com.