A GUIDE TO ECO-FRIENDLY ZERO WASTE SHAVING | PLASTIC-FREE RAZORS

You might not realize it, but we humans produce A LOT of waste from our shaving routines. Men and women included.In terms of Zero Waste, the movement has been gathering pace in Ireland and our Zero Waste Shaving Set is our most popular, but there’s still WAY too many people using plastic disposables.

In fact, in the US (can’t find any data for Ireland!) it’s estimated that in the 1990’s about two billion disposable razors were thrown away. That number has since risen to over 2 billion razors ending up in landfill each year. 

That’s about one million kg’s of plastic waste.

It seems that multi-blade cartridge razors are the most wasteful products that we use in our bathrooms.

What can we do to tackle this growing problem of razors in our landfills?

Top eco-friendly bloggers such as Zero Waste Home often preach the benefits of using a non-disposable, “lifetime” razor and the reduced impact of a hard shaving soap over a shaving cream.

Today, we’ll compare the differences between plastic disposable razors and metal safety razors to see how much of an impact it can have.

The Environmentally Friendly Choice – Manly Stuff Safety Razors

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF PLASTIC DISPOSABLE RAZORS

Plastic razors are known for having a much shorter life cycle than safety razors.

In general, plastic razors contribute to a disposable, throwaway society.

It is estimated that the average disposable razor cartridge should only be used about 6-9 times before being thrown away.

This means that after every purchase of a disposable razor, in about 2-3 weeks, they’ll be on their way to the landfill.

SO HOW DO THE REST OF US RECYCLE DISPOSABLE RAZORS?

The bulk of a disposable razor is non-biodegradable, leading to billions of pieces of hazardous waste ending up in landfill every year.

Razor blades will rust away into nothing, leaving behind the plastic handle and casing for dozens, perhaps hundreds of years.

At this time, there is simply no straightforward way to dispose of plastic razors in an eco-friendly way.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SAFETY RAZORS

Unlike disposable razors, safety razors are built to last a lifetime.

Safety razor collectors purchase and use old Gillette safety razors from the early 1900’s, and some even claim to be using the same razor for over 110 years.

Not all safety razors are indestructible, but they’re still a major improvement over disposable razors. When considering longevity, we recommend choosing a pure brass safety razor like our new luxury collection.

Since the razor itself lasts so long, only the razor blades need to be recycled. Unlike multi-blade razors, standard double-edge safety razor blades are fully-recyclable and eco-friendly.

THE BODY OF SAFETY RAZORS

Safety razors are typically made out of steel or a chromed zinc alloy.

When the razor does reach the end of its useful life, there are plenty of ways to properly dispose of the body of the razor.

Even if you drop your metal safety razor on a granite floor and it breaks, companies like Manly Stuff will be happy to send you a replacement to prevent you from having to switch back to plastic razors.

Vintage Shaving Sets at Fair Prices

As for other brands of safety razors, metal scrap yards or local recycling businesses will be glad to take the used razor off your hands.

The Razor Blades

Razor blades are rust-proof and typically last anywhere from 5 -7 shaves (depending on your skin and hair type).

Typically, waste management stations don’t recommend recycling such small pieces of metal due to regulatory reasons, which is why blade banks were invented.

Blade Banks are storage containers for your used safety razor blades to be stored over the duration of a 6-months to a year, and once full, you can properly recycle the entire container – it couldn’t be easier!

CONCLUSION

It’s clear that we as humans need to reconsider the sustainable nature of our grooming routines.

It requires a small upfront investment but pays off in a major way in the long run.

With everyone’s shared efforts, a significant reduction in waste build-up can be achieved over time.

The safety razor is a tried and true zero-waste tool for anyone and has proven to be essential for achieving an eco-friendly shave regimen.

Beyond the reduced environmental footprint, there are a plethora of reasons you should consider switching to a safety razor, including; significant savings over time, improved skin quality and with a safety razor, a reduced chance of nicks and cuts.

If you’re looking to make the switch to eco-friendly shaving, make sure to take our survey and get 15% off your next purchase with the code ‘zerowaste’.