Valorization of Unconventional Hair Waste: Unlocking Opportunities in Materials and Chemical Engineering

Human hair waste, often discarded from sources like barber shops and hospitals, holds significant potential as a raw material in sectors such as chemical, materials, medical, and engineering due to its unique properties like tensile strength and thermal insulation. Despite its potential, most human hair waste is incinerated or landfilled, with minimal recycling efforts. The review highlights the need to overcome usage challenges and establish systems for utilizing this waste, emphasizing the diverse applications influenced by hair's chemical composition and physical characteristics. The study consolidates various research efforts to systematically explore human hair's applications in chemical and materials science.