A Sustainable change: braiding hair and bettering its impact on the planet

This Earth Day we’re talking about Hair.

  I bought synthetic hair for box braids and whether or not it was a sustainable purchase, or even healthy for my hair, became one of my concerns. The style is super cute, convenient, and great for a person on the go. Not to mention the affordability and accessibility aspects; you can get braiding hair as easy as a click on Amazon or at the hair stores that line the streets of most Black communities.

Hair, self-expression really, has always been a huge part of Black culture. The standards are high within the confines of our social circles to always have your hair “laid”, “clean”, or “defined”, no matter what you have to spend to get it. You will receive numerous accolades for a fabulously executed hairstyle, and your homie or homegirl will NEVER let you walk out into the world with your hair looking crazy. Anybody running around with their hair not done without mentioning that they’re in a transitional period to their next hair appointment gets capped on, or worse, quietly side-eyed. However, the acknowledgment of effort doesn’t necessarily continue once you leave that cultural haven. In fact, presently there are many Black individuals fighting for the right to be recognized as beautiful, to hold high-level positions while wearing their natural hair, and to not be perceived as “dirty”, “ghetto”, etc.

Just as it does in popular culture, the hair standard has a major impact on the planet that isn’t typically discussed in sustainability media. Especially if you’re one to wear wigs, extensions, or a consumer of braiding hair, adopting environmental awareness may be a good addition to your hair-care routine, not only for the Earth but for your hair health as well. 

  I began my research process by learning about synthetic fibers. Synthetic hair is a chemical-coated mixture of polyester, acrylic,  PVC, and vinyl. It is also a nonbiodegradable fiber, meaning it will likely lay in landfills for centuries.  Over a million tons of synthetic fibers are sent each year to landfills and a good amount of it ends up in our oceans. Those with sensitive skin, such as myself, should be wary of direct contact with these chemicals, or at least be very intentional about washing the hair prior to styling. The chemicals used can cause skin irritations and allergic reactions.

Well then, what about human hair options? I’d considered, briefly, buying human braiding hair. Environmentally, it is an appealing choice, however, sustainability is not just about the environment. It is also about the people who work at the companies or are involved in the process of producing the product. Proof supporting (or denying) that companies are ethically harvesting hair is hard to find or is completely nonexistent. Questions about the hair vendors’ sources and the proper compensation of those sources are often left unanswered.

Unfortunately, after my purchase of synthetic hair, I didn’t have much of a plan. I will try to reuse the hair for as long as I can. In the meantime, instead of cutting the braids to remove them, I arduously spent my time unraveling the braids one by one. 

It took about three days because I “needed” breaks in between. I carefully grouped the hair after removing it from my head, then bound it with the original twist tie fastener to keep it together. Placing it in a safe, dry location to keep from ruining the quality of the hair will ensure that it’s not tangled by the next time you want to use it.

As for the eventual total disposal, there are recycling facilities that will accept synthetic hairs and take care of them. One of them is Terracycle. They are known to recycle material containing synthetic fibers. If you are a bit lazy ( like I am, lol ) you can send your used braiding hair to them by mail.


We should talk about this more, and I’m sure that as culture and sustainability conversations intersect, we will. For now, there are three options available for installing those nice braids we love: human hair, synthetic hair after cleaning thoroughly, or buying from sustainable brands. I will continue to seek better ways to serve both the planet and my appearance, and I would love to encourage everyone else to do the same.


Thanks for reading.
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This is a guest authored post, featuring storyteller Nacala Sams of A Sustainable Change.

​Check out her other posts on sustainability and veganism.