In my quest to make my lifestyle more responsible, I realized that many consumer products related to beauty care are disposable. In a world where straw and plastic bags are the ultimate villains to be eradicated in order to save the environment, it is relevant to open the discussion on these other objects. Cleansing pads, disposable moisturizing masks, toothbrushes, razors, etc. Therefore, I am creating a lifestyle section to this blog with this first article about one of these items that I replaced with its durable version.
The problem with disposable razors
The razor industry is valued at $ 18 billion, which is not surprising considering that both women and men use them quite a lot. Since the razor itself is difficult to reinvent, razor companies must continually devise new marketing tactics to encourage people to consume more. The trend is now to subscriptions-based marketing, which allow users to receive razors and fresh blades every week or month, depending on the model.
In 2018, 163 millions of Americans used disposable razors. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) estimated in the late 1980s that about 2 billion razors end up in landfills each year, but has stopped studying this subject since then, so there are no new number. Considering that the value of razor companies has only increased until now, it is easy to imagine that this figure has also increased. In addition, this figure does not include razor cartridges, which are also disposable and represent the largest share of the razor market. In short, an astronomical quantity of razors and razor cartridges, as well as their packaging, end up in the dumps every year and contribute significantly to the plastic pollution that we all seek to fight.
Razors are not recyclable in most municipal programs, since they are sharp and are a mixture of plastic and other materials. If you put your plastic razor or even the cartridges in recycling, they clog up the system and end up in the trash cans of recycling centers anyway. In order to gain better publicity, the razor companies are trying to develop recycling programs, but they are not very accessible at the moment. In any case, recycling should never be the first solution to disposable consumer products, since it is energy demanding and it is now difficult to find buyers for recycled materials.
The solution I adopted
Do not despair! Here is a solution: safety razors. These are the ancestors of the modern razor, and, unlike disposable razors, have only one blade. They are made of steel or chrome and can last a lifetime if cared for properly. The maintenance does not require much energy. Safety razors are made to be durable and there is only the blade to change. Shaving is as close as any multi-blade razor, but the cost of replacing the blade is lower from both an economic and ecological point of view. They are also known to be gentler on sensitive skin, causing less irritation and ingrown hairs than their counterparts. Finally, several of them come with a stand that allows them to be stored, or displayed on the counter without any discomfort, since these razors are often much more nice to look at.
I won't lie to you, there is a learning curve when you shave with a safety razor. Besides, the name is a little misleading, considering that it is easy to cut yourself when you are not used to it. The important thing is to keep a tilt of about 30º and let the weight of the razor do the work. After years of using disposable razors with a dull blade, I pushed too much on it and my razor suddenly became a potato peeler. Fortunately, you get used to it fairly quickly and I am proud to say that I do not cut myself anymore!
The blade of a safety razor lasts as long as a cartridge of a razor with several blades, that is between 5 and 10 shaves, but it is possible to prolong its life by using good shaving creams and foams. In addition, wiping the blade after each use and keeping the razor in a dry place will prevent oxidation. Personally, I use the Feather brand blades, as it was the brand that came with my razor and that I was satisfied with. For shaving fanatics, it is also possible to obtain blades of different qualities and provenance in order to find the most suitable for your hair type. Finally, it is recommended to clean your razor with rubbing alcohol once or twice a year, as it can accumulate shaving cream residue.
Although I do not believe that I have solved the problem of plastic pollution by changing my razor, it is for me a first step towards a more responsible lifestyle. Whenever I use it, it’s a reminder to me that many of the objects I use every day contribute to the degradation of our environment, but also that there are long lasting solutions for the disposable products around me!
Are you thinking of changing your shaving tool after reading this article? Let me know via my Facebook or Instagram page! In the meantime, here are some product proposals that might interest you!
Mine : Gun metal, long handle, double edge and butterfly opening (26.99$ on Amazon)
Rose gold razor, short handle, double edge, comes with a travel case (16.94$ on Amazon)
Chrome razor, short handle, double edge and butterfly opening, comes with a stand (38.66$ on Amazon)
Brushed finish razor, double edge, adjustable blade angle (82.95$ on Amazon)
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