Question: How Long Does Hair Decompose

It takes between one and two years for hair to break down in soil. Still, specific soil conditions will affect the rate of decomposition. The decomposition will occur faster if the area is warm and moist. These facts are true for human hair.

Does hair decompose?

Hair is made up of a protein known as keratin, which is fairly resistant to decomposition by proteolysis, or protein decomposition. As such, there is not a uniform speed at which hair can decompose. There has been evidence of hair on human remains, professionally excavated, approximately 100 years since burial.

How long does it take for hair to decompose in soil?

Because of the low available Carbon, hair is considered part of the immature, or green, material. It takes up to two years to degrade in a compost pile, but is about 15% nitrogen by volume, which is high. Even before it has decomposed, hair will help your compost pile retain water 4 times as well as soil would.