Last Updated on December 21, 2022 by Hammad Hassan
Although it wasn’t always around, plastic has become one of the most important commodities in everyday life. Almost every product and packaging you see has some element of plastic.
That said, plastic isn’t the healthiest thing for our environment.
They are biodegradable, so they stay in the environment for far longer than the average human being. In fact, surveys show that around 79% of all plastic that has ever been created lingers in the environment to this day.
Most plastics contain toxic chemicals and ingredients that can endanger wildlife and plant life.
If we don’t come up with a plan to reduce plastic waste in our environment, it may mean catastrophic end results for society as we know it.
Why go plastic-free when shaving?
Although the biggest culprit of plastic waste pollution are water bottles, plastic bags, and straws, a good portion of these plastic wastes are made up of disposable plastic razors.
In fact, an estimated 2 billion plastic razors end up in landfills each year.
It’s time to take action and use more sustainable shaving products in our everyday lives.
Ways to reduce plastic waste when shaving
Luckily, there are several tried and tested ways to reduce plastic waste when shaving.
By practicing them, you can help the environment recover from the rampant plastic waste pollution and (hopefully) create a safer, healthier world for everyone today and in the future.
Here are 5 tips to reduce plastic waste when shaving:
Recycle plastic razors
The simplest and most obvious way to reduce plastic waste when shaving is to recycle your plastic razors.
Plenty of manufacturers now make razors with blades that are easily replaceable. Meaning you won’t have to dispose of your razor handles as often as before.
Additionally, there are companies such as Preserve and Earth911 that have recycling programs that collect used toothbrushes, razors, plastic bottles, and other products from participants.
Switch to a metal razor
Not all of us are keen on recycling.
If you’re one of those people who can’t keep up a recycling habit, then switching to a non-plastic safety razor may be a better option for you.
The most popular razor type is often the double-edged safety razor, which is made of metal that’s carefully coated with rust-resistant material to preserve its quality over the years.
But — let’s face it — the blades are made of metal and that’s bound to develop rust over a short period of time, considering it regularly comes in contact with the oils and liquids on your skin.
Luckily, you can easily replace your razor blades with new ones, which you can buy in packs for $10 to $15, depending on where you buy them from.
Use paper razors
When we first heard about paper razors we also greeted them with disbelief. Can paper razors really be an effective alternative to plastic razors?
The answer is: yes.
Its body is made entirely of biodegradable paper, which deteriorates much easier than plastic. Thus, it doesn’t stay in the environment for as long.
It uses the typical metal blade that you find in razors, so you can still get a clean, smooth cut from this bad boy.
Now, we know what you’re thinking:
Won’t it fall apart when it gets wet?
Well, no.
Paper razors are made of the same materials you find in milk cartons and paper spoons. So, your razors getting wet isn’t something you should be worried about.
Invest in a shavette/straight razor
If you’re not so keen on replacing your razor bleeds as often, then a shavetter or straight razor is a great option to consider. It has a single blade, so that’s one less blade that you need to maintain and replace.
Most shavette or straight razors don’t even need blade replacements. You can simply get the blade resharpened once it becomes dull.
The only downside to using a shavette is that it does present a steep learning curve for people who haven’t tried using the tool before.
You don’t want to accidentally cut yourself will shaving, especially not with sharp equipment like a shavette.
Take your time to learn how to properly hold and wield a straight razor.
Practice no-shave months
There’s more to no-shave months than simply strengthening self-acceptance and self-love. It’s also a great way to save up on razors and razor blades.
The oils from our skin can make razor blades dull and rusty quite fast, which is why frequent shaving can easily deteriorate razors. This means you’ll have to change your razor more frequently.
When you practice no-shave months, there’s less contact made between your razor and the oils of your skin. This makes it easier for you to preserve the integrity of the blade and the razor as a whole.
The bottom line
Although it’s impossible to remove plastic completely from society, there are ways for us to minimize its use and prevent it from causing more damage to the environment.
The tips we mentioned above are just some of the ways you can start to reduce plastic waste when shaving.
If you have more ideas to share, please feel free to share it with us in the comments section!
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