Low-Waste Razors For A Greener Shave
The gig is up disposable razors! A greener shave is possible. There are more sustainable options for those who choose to rid themselves of their body hair.
As we go through eco-friendly options for personal care products, stopping the use of disposable razors seems like a no-brainer. This is different from some of the other products I’m trying because once I buy a safety razor, I’ll try to stick with it since they are meant to last for a lifetime. Whether you choose to shave everyday or never is up to you and acceptable. But if you are looking for a greener shave, here are some of your options.
Replacement razor heads
One of your initially cheaper options is to buy a handle and replace the head of your razor. A life-cycle analysis of replacement razor heads and safety razors from RSA The Great Recovery gives razors with replacement heads an estimate of 115.06 mPt (material or process total). The double-edged safety razors received an estimate of 15.7 mPt. But safety razors are expensive when compared to replacing heads and you may not be able to spend the big bucks on one at the moment.
There are some companies like Preserve, a B corporation that make BPA free razors out of recovered and recycled ocean plastic or recycled yogurt containers. A quarter of their proceeds go to marine conservation and ocean cleanup. They also offer recycling through their Gimme 5 Program where you can mail in your old products. I’ve tried both the Shave 5 and Shave 3 razors and have enjoyed using them…when I can keep the heads connected. It’s been fine once they are on but I have had to struggle getting them connected in the first place and they don’t always stay which can be extremely frustrating in the middle of your shower! The Shave 5 has been good for legs and the Shave 3 has worked well for more delicate areas.
I’ve also used the Flamingo razor with replaceable blades I bought from Target. The blades get thrown into my sharps container which is a reused, hard sided plastic container with a screw on top that is clearly labeled “Sharps: Do Not Recycle”. That container gets brought to the Recycling Zone and then safely thrown away. Since they are a mixed material with metal and plastic, they can not get recycled.
Flamingo as a company gives 1% of their sales to “support nonprofit organizations working to ensure women build healthy, positive relationships with themselves”. Although not certified they mention on their website that they never test their products on animals and have all vegan based products with the exception of the beeswax used in their waxing strips. Their razor handles are made of at least 35% recycled plastic.
Safety Razors
If you’re ready for a greener shave and want to invest in a more permanent and eco-friendly razor, you’ll be wanting to look for a safety razor. Although they can seem intimidating at first, the websites for newer razors do a good job of providing instructional videos. Look for a company you like that also provides some guidance as to how to safely dispose of your blades for recycling. Leaf razors suggested finding a sturdy metal container to reuse (like an old Altoids tin) and sending it to a local recycling facility (not curbside) or they have a program where you can mail them back to the company. Leaf is a certified climate neutral company and all their products are (non-certified) cruelty-free. Leaf’s razors are made in Taiwan and China and the blades are made in Egypt.
Shaving Cream
When you’re looking to shave, don’t forget to use some sort of shaving cream to avoid razor burn and bumps! I actually haven’t used real shaving cream since I was a teenager, seemed like just another extra item in the shower. I’ve just been using the body wash, shampoo or conditioner I already have in there. It seems to work just fine unless you have a vinegar based shampoo (ouch!).
However, I was curious what a shaving soap was like so I ordered one from EcoRoots. I’m so glad I did! It leaves my legs feeling smooth, knick-free and moisturized. It doesn’t have a strong smell good or bad. In the future, I will be opting for using a zero waste shaving soap over whatever other products I may have in the shower. They are a 1% for the planet company and claim to be vegan and cruelty-free.
Water Usage
Whatever you end up using for your razor, keep your water usage in mind. I typically shave while my conditioner is doing it’s job or I’ll let the tub fill up while I’m showering and shave afterwards. You can shave with just a washcloth at the sink or you don’t have to shave anything, ever. That’s all up to you!
- Check out the options above for a more eco-friendly razor. If you can afford a safety razor and feel comfortable using that type of razor safely, that will be your best choice. Otherwise, look for one with replaceable heads.
- Consider using what you have in the shower or a zero-waste shaving soap instead of cans of shaving cream.
- Keep your water usage in mind when you do decide to aim for a greener shave.
