Peruvians donating hair to assist oil clean-up

Hundreds of Peruvians are donating their hairs to assist with the cleanup efforts of an oil spill that authorities have deemed an environmental emergency.

The municipality of Lima has set up various hair collection points where professional hairdressers trim donors' hair and collect it for the creation of large sausage-shaped devices that soak up the spilled oil. 

Peru recently declared an environmental emergency after announcing that 21 beaches on the Pacific coast were contaminated by an oil spill at a refinery run by Spain-based Repsol, following surging waves caused by the eruption of an underwater volcano near Tonga.

Several environmental collectives made the call for the hair donation through social media, and the municipality of Lima coordinated with hairdressers to assist.  For several days, people have heeded to the call.  The campaign is being carried out nationwide.