The end of the Movember challenge or the start of all holiday gatherings and festivities will leave you reaching out for your single-use, disposable razors more often than usual to look extra nice, spiffy and for the ladies – smooth. And while the easiest and most perceived hygienic way of shaving (emphasis on the word “perceived”) is glide and throw, it is truly just the most wasteful way to look and feel good. 

Did you know that in the USA alone, around 2 billion disposable razors end up in our landfills each year. That is 63 razors being dumped every second, with each razor taking more than 100+ years to start decomposing, truly outliving us and crowding our landfills. That is why it is important to make more sustainable choices in these essential products we use almost daily. Simply avoid single-use when you can and some important things to note is that aluminum and steel are infinitely recyclable, ensure the brand has a blade take back program and opt for natural materials as much as possible whether it be from the product itself or/and it’s packaging. To help guide a little bit more, here are a few of our favorite products:

Safety Razors – are plastic-free, zero-waste and made out of steel. Two of our favorite companies for this type of razors are: (1) Albatross Design whose stainless steel razors have been ahead of it’s time, being the first zero-waste razor since 2015 complete with a take-back program and a natural jute pouch for packaging, (2) Eco Roots is another favorite, completely plastic free made out of recyclable zinc alloy and stainless steel and comes in stylish colors and a chic design. Very easy to use, affordable and they also donate a portion of every razor sold to Ocean Conservancy, truly a win-win for all.

Straight Razors – old school barber feel and you’ll arguably get the closest shave of your life with a straight razor, just be extremely careful! The Feather Artist Club Wood Razor is made out of the highest stainless steel quality that can stay sharp for a long period of time, no need to dispose of razor blades as all it takes is to sharpen the blade then pop it back in! Could not get any swaggier than this.

Bamboo Razors – usually made out of a stainless steel frame and a sturdy bamboo handle, both Public Goods and Bambaw offer just this type of razors. Make sure to look into take-back programs in your area for disposable blades or look into Terracyle to ensure proper disposable of blades and razors.

Recycled Razors – made out of 100% #5 recycled plastic, Preserve Recycled Plastic Razor in particular has been tried and tested to lightweight, durable and safe with an aloe lubrication strip to avoid burning. Recycled razors are tricky as most will feel flimsy to use and just inconsistent, so do your own diligence and give it a try.

Hair Erasers – Nood’s hair eraser in particular can be used up to 200 times or for over a year without needing to be replaced. The Eraser uses a micro-etched crystalline glass surface that removes hair and exfoliates skin through friction, with a simple buffing motion. Truly easy to use and not as harsh as you’re thinking it to be.

Every little bit of climate action goes a long way in impacting the world to be a better, safer place for us and the next generations to come. For more everyday, digestible, sustainable content, follow @humbleearthinitiative on IG. Stay humble!

Source:

https://www.ecowatch.com/plastic-razor-environmental-impact-2653580880.html