Found this article that others may find interesting.
How to keep your razors from contributing to landfill waste
How to keep your razors from contributing to landfill waste
How to keep your razors from contributing to landfill waste
- Thread starter Aziraphale
- Start date
If unexpected expenses hadn't cut into discretionary spending, I might have been trying a straight now, with zero blades going to the landfill. A bit disappointed the article didn't mention straight razors.
Can't even see the site because I'm in the UK and the authors (quite reasonably) don't want to be bothered with all the GDPR stuff.
I was able to read the article fine, and I'm not a subscriber. A pop-up and a large banner at the top appeared at the start that obscured much of the text, but I closed the ad and the large banner at the top closes if you scroll down.
'Exed' the subscribe pop-up and that was the one and only distraction.
dave
dave
I looked at the source and was able to find this:
A lot of "<div class="subscriber-only">" tags in there.
<div class="subscriber-preview"><p>NEW YORK (AP) — How bad is your disposable razor for the environment? The question is gaining attention among consumers amid a growing global campaign against plastic waste, with cities and countries introducing bans on single-use plastic bags and straws.</p></div><div class="subscriber-preview"><p>Don't worry, there's no talk of banning your razor, which isn't exactly single use. Still, billions of plastic razors and refill blade cartridges get tossed in landfills each year. Municipal recycling programs in the U.S. will not accept them because they are sharp objects made of mixed materials.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>What can be done? Well, there are no perfectly convenient options, aside from foregoing shaving altogether. For those concerned about an eco-friendlier shave, here are some things to know.</p></div><div class="tnt-ads-container text-center hidden-sm hidden-md hidden-lg"><div style="min-height:250px; min-width:300px;" class="tnt-ads dfp-ad dfp-ad-lite" data-dfp-adunit="/167885573/fredericksburg/business/business-wire" data-dfp-custom-***="fixed-big-ad-top, atf, Right, 50" id="fixed-big-ad-top-mobile" data-dfp-size="[300,250]" data-subscriber="true"></div></div>
<div id="tncms-region-article_instory_top" class="tncms-region hidden-print"></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>THE FATE OF DISPOSABLE RAZORS</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>The Environmental Protection Agency once estimated that 2 billion razors and refill blades get tossed out in the U.S. each year. That figure is widely cited by recycling advocates and startups marketing eco-friendly razors. Gillette, the world's leading razor brand, also cites the number on a website detailing a new recycling program for razors launched earlier this year.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>But the figure appears to date back to an EPA campaign from the late 1980s against a national "garbage crisis." A 1990 "Environmental Consumer's Handbook" on the EPA's website says the U.S. produces "2 billion throwaway razors and blades" each year. The EPA now says it does not track the impact of disposable razors on the environment and has no update on the figure.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>It's likely even higher. Last year, more than $1.2 billion in disposable razors were sold in the U.S, according to market research firm Euromonitor. Prices vary widely but many disposables are less than $1 each.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>HOW TO RECYCLE YOUR RAZORS</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>There are few options for recycling razors. The French company BIC started a razor recycling program in France a few years ago that didn't last.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>Now, Gillette is trying out a similar idea in the U.S. in partnership with Terracycle, an organization that specializes in hard-to-recycle waste. All brands of razors are accepted.</p></div><div class="tnt-ads-container text-center "><div style="min-height:1px; min-width:4px;" class="tnt-ads dfp-ad" data-dfp-adunit="/167885573/fredericksburg/business/business-wire" data-dfp-custom-***="fixed-inline-video, stf" id="fixed-inline-video" data-dfp-size="[4,1]" data-lazy="true"></div></div>
<div class="subscriber-only"><p>The easiest option is mailing the razors to Terracycle, but the shipping costs are on you. At no cost, you can deliver razors to drop-off centers on Terracycle's interactive map. But with only 200 locations so far, the option is not practical for many. (There's only one site so far in California, and six in Florida.) Stephanie Moses, an account director for Terracycle, said the program is growing quickly, and the map will be updated to show 350 locations by mid-August.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>THE COMEBACK OF THE DOUBLE-EDGED SAFETY RAZORS</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>Remember the old-school safety razor your grandfather used? It's making a comeback. Trendy direct-to-consumer brands have reintroduced them to younger generations, most prominently Bevel, the grooming lined aimed at black men, and Oui Shave, one of the few safety razor brands aimed at women.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>Safety razors are built to last, usually made of materials like steel or chrome. The only waste is the steel blades, and some municipalities recycle them. Oui founder Karen Young said she's developing a map for her site to show which ones. Newcomer brand Leaf Shave allows customers to mail back their blades in a custom-made tin box for recycling.</p></div><div class="tnt-ads-container text-center hidden-sm hidden-md hidden-lg"><div style="min-height:250px; min-width:300px;" class="tnt-ads dfp-ad dfp-ad-lite" data-dfp-adunit="/167885573/fredericksburg/business/business-wire" data-dfp-custom-***="fixed-big-ad-middle, stf, Right1" id="fixed-big-ad-middle-mobile" data-dfp-size="[300,250]" data-subscriber="true"></div></div>
<div id="tncms-region-article_instory_middle" class="tncms-region hidden-print"><div id="tncms-block-1661162" class="tncms-block hidden-xs"><div class="tnt-ads-container text-center "><div style="min-height:250px; min-width:300px;" class="tnt-ads dfp-ad" data-dfp-adunit="/167885573/fredericksburg/business/business-wire" data-dfp-custom-***="BottomLeft" id="ad-1661162" data-dfp-size="[300, 250]" data-lazy="true"></div></div>
</div></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>The tricky thing is that safety razors come with a higher upfront cost, ranging anywhere from $15 to more than $200 depending on the brand. However, the refill blades are cheap, as low as 20 cents each, compared to $2 for the average modern cartridge.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>You can familiarize yourself with established brands through long-time retailers like <a href="Men's Grooming Products & Supplies | The Grooming Lounge">GroomingLounge.com</a> and The Art of Shaving. Michael Gilman, founder of <a href="Men's Grooming Products & Supplies | The Grooming Lounge">GroomingLounge.com</a>, said safety razors are a small but fast-growing part of his business, with blade sales tripling in the past year. Beginners should go for the lower-priced razors and look for closed-comb design and weighted handles, he said.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>If you are looking to try one out, however, most of the newer digital brands offer 30-day returns, regardless of whether the razor is used.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>ARE THERE OTHER ECO-FRIENDLY OPTIONS?</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>Safety razors are not made for rushed morning routines. And frequent fliers be warned: you can't throw the blades into your carry-on luggage. The Transportation Safety Administration wrote a <a target="—blank" href="Safety Razors and Disposable Razors">blog</a> post about it after finding that "they're making a comeback thanks to the close shave they provide and the extremely affordable price of the replacement blades."</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>If it's not for you, at least switching to a cartridge with a reusable handle reduces the waste. Already, that is the more popular option among U.S. men, according to Euromonitor figures, though women in the U.S. still spend more money on fully disposable plastic razors.</p></div><div class="tnt-ads-container text-center hidden-sm hidden-md hidden-lg"><div style="min-height:250px; min-width:300px;" class="tnt-ads dfp-ad" data-dfp-adunit="/167885573/fredericksburg/business/business-wire" data-dfp-custom-***="fixed-big-ad-bottom, btf, Right2, 70" id="fixed-big-ad-bottom-mobile" data-dfp-size="[300,250]" data-lazy="true"></div></div>
<div id="tncms-region-article_instory_bottom" class="tncms-region hidden-print">
<div id="tncms-region-article_instory_top" class="tncms-region hidden-print"></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>THE FATE OF DISPOSABLE RAZORS</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>The Environmental Protection Agency once estimated that 2 billion razors and refill blades get tossed out in the U.S. each year. That figure is widely cited by recycling advocates and startups marketing eco-friendly razors. Gillette, the world's leading razor brand, also cites the number on a website detailing a new recycling program for razors launched earlier this year.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>But the figure appears to date back to an EPA campaign from the late 1980s against a national "garbage crisis." A 1990 "Environmental Consumer's Handbook" on the EPA's website says the U.S. produces "2 billion throwaway razors and blades" each year. The EPA now says it does not track the impact of disposable razors on the environment and has no update on the figure.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>It's likely even higher. Last year, more than $1.2 billion in disposable razors were sold in the U.S, according to market research firm Euromonitor. Prices vary widely but many disposables are less than $1 each.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>HOW TO RECYCLE YOUR RAZORS</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>There are few options for recycling razors. The French company BIC started a razor recycling program in France a few years ago that didn't last.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>Now, Gillette is trying out a similar idea in the U.S. in partnership with Terracycle, an organization that specializes in hard-to-recycle waste. All brands of razors are accepted.</p></div><div class="tnt-ads-container text-center "><div style="min-height:1px; min-width:4px;" class="tnt-ads dfp-ad" data-dfp-adunit="/167885573/fredericksburg/business/business-wire" data-dfp-custom-***="fixed-inline-video, stf" id="fixed-inline-video" data-dfp-size="[4,1]" data-lazy="true"></div></div>
<div class="subscriber-only"><p>The easiest option is mailing the razors to Terracycle, but the shipping costs are on you. At no cost, you can deliver razors to drop-off centers on Terracycle's interactive map. But with only 200 locations so far, the option is not practical for many. (There's only one site so far in California, and six in Florida.) Stephanie Moses, an account director for Terracycle, said the program is growing quickly, and the map will be updated to show 350 locations by mid-August.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>THE COMEBACK OF THE DOUBLE-EDGED SAFETY RAZORS</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>Remember the old-school safety razor your grandfather used? It's making a comeback. Trendy direct-to-consumer brands have reintroduced them to younger generations, most prominently Bevel, the grooming lined aimed at black men, and Oui Shave, one of the few safety razor brands aimed at women.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>Safety razors are built to last, usually made of materials like steel or chrome. The only waste is the steel blades, and some municipalities recycle them. Oui founder Karen Young said she's developing a map for her site to show which ones. Newcomer brand Leaf Shave allows customers to mail back their blades in a custom-made tin box for recycling.</p></div><div class="tnt-ads-container text-center hidden-sm hidden-md hidden-lg"><div style="min-height:250px; min-width:300px;" class="tnt-ads dfp-ad dfp-ad-lite" data-dfp-adunit="/167885573/fredericksburg/business/business-wire" data-dfp-custom-***="fixed-big-ad-middle, stf, Right1" id="fixed-big-ad-middle-mobile" data-dfp-size="[300,250]" data-subscriber="true"></div></div>
<div id="tncms-region-article_instory_middle" class="tncms-region hidden-print"><div id="tncms-block-1661162" class="tncms-block hidden-xs"><div class="tnt-ads-container text-center "><div style="min-height:250px; min-width:300px;" class="tnt-ads dfp-ad" data-dfp-adunit="/167885573/fredericksburg/business/business-wire" data-dfp-custom-***="BottomLeft" id="ad-1661162" data-dfp-size="[300, 250]" data-lazy="true"></div></div>
</div></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>The tricky thing is that safety razors come with a higher upfront cost, ranging anywhere from $15 to more than $200 depending on the brand. However, the refill blades are cheap, as low as 20 cents each, compared to $2 for the average modern cartridge.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>You can familiarize yourself with established brands through long-time retailers like <a href="Men's Grooming Products & Supplies | The Grooming Lounge">GroomingLounge.com</a> and The Art of Shaving. Michael Gilman, founder of <a href="Men's Grooming Products & Supplies | The Grooming Lounge">GroomingLounge.com</a>, said safety razors are a small but fast-growing part of his business, with blade sales tripling in the past year. Beginners should go for the lower-priced razors and look for closed-comb design and weighted handles, he said.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>If you are looking to try one out, however, most of the newer digital brands offer 30-day returns, regardless of whether the razor is used.</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>ARE THERE OTHER ECO-FRIENDLY OPTIONS?</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>Safety razors are not made for rushed morning routines. And frequent fliers be warned: you can't throw the blades into your carry-on luggage. The Transportation Safety Administration wrote a <a target="—blank" href="Safety Razors and Disposable Razors">blog</a> post about it after finding that "they're making a comeback thanks to the close shave they provide and the extremely affordable price of the replacement blades."</p></div><div class="subscriber-only"><p>If it's not for you, at least switching to a cartridge with a reusable handle reduces the waste. Already, that is the more popular option among U.S. men, according to Euromonitor figures, though women in the U.S. still spend more money on fully disposable plastic razors.</p></div><div class="tnt-ads-container text-center hidden-sm hidden-md hidden-lg"><div style="min-height:250px; min-width:300px;" class="tnt-ads dfp-ad" data-dfp-adunit="/167885573/fredericksburg/business/business-wire" data-dfp-custom-***="fixed-big-ad-bottom, btf, Right2, 70" id="fixed-big-ad-bottom-mobile" data-dfp-size="[300,250]" data-lazy="true"></div></div>
<div id="tncms-region-article_instory_bottom" class="tncms-region hidden-print">
A lot of "<div class="subscriber-only">" tags in there.
Interesting article! Thanks!
Thanks for posting that up John!
Doesn’t tell us anything we don’t already know. Reduce Reuse Recycle
Essentially what the article is telling us is - There are a lot of disposable razors going in the dump. You can dump less by using a DE. The end.
Reduce - Reduce the frequency of your shaves
Reuse - Reuse the same cartridge/blade as often as is comfortable
Recycle - Find a recycling center that will take your used razors
Quite simple!!
Essentially what the article is telling us is - There are a lot of disposable razors going in the dump. You can dump less by using a DE. The end.
Reduce - Reduce the frequency of your shaves
Reuse - Reuse the same cartridge/blade as often as is comfortable
Recycle - Find a recycling center that will take your used razors
Quite simple!!
Use Opera with VPN set to America
I have to pay a fee for every bin or bag of trash that goes to landfill. I do not pay for things that can be recycled, so I use that method whenever possible. It is unfortunate that there are few options for recycling any type of razor or blade due to health and safety concerns.
The "garbage crisis" phrase that was coined in the late 1980s is really an issue that dates back to the caveman era. Ever since people have started to congregate in caves, villages, towns and cities, figuring out what to do with waste has been an issue. For most of human history, waste was dumped into the streets, streams, and rivers where it eventually made its way to the sea. Unfortunately, that still happens today. The larger and more congested the city, the bigger the problem. In the 21st century, with the earth's population approaching 8 billion people, most of whom are crowded into large cities, disposing of the waste of everyday living has reached crisis proportions in many areas of the world.
The "garbage crisis" phrase that was coined in the late 1980s is really an issue that dates back to the caveman era. Ever since people have started to congregate in caves, villages, towns and cities, figuring out what to do with waste has been an issue. For most of human history, waste was dumped into the streets, streams, and rivers where it eventually made its way to the sea. Unfortunately, that still happens today. The larger and more congested the city, the bigger the problem. In the 21st century, with the earth's population approaching 8 billion people, most of whom are crowded into large cities, disposing of the waste of everyday living has reached crisis proportions in many areas of the world.
There are recycling centers that take DE and SE blades. The ones that don't are because the blades are too small for their machinery and can jam them.
I put my used DE blades into Altoid Smalls tins, and when they are full I seal them and put the whole thing into my recycling bin.
Thank you for sharing.
Well, the iron ore used to make the steel in my blades came from the Earth. When they go into a landfill, they are going back into the earth. Where they will eventually rust away to nothing.
Just my opinion, but shaving residue, especially wafer-thin pieces of steel that begins rusting even if I leave it in a razor too long, is not a great concern.
I suppose you could rig up a disposal slot in the bathroom, like houses built in the 30s and 40s, and simply store the blades behind the drywall.
Just my opinion, but shaving residue, especially wafer-thin pieces of steel that begins rusting even if I leave it in a razor too long, is not a great concern.
I suppose you could rig up a disposal slot in the bathroom, like houses built in the 30s and 40s, and simply store the blades behind the drywall.
My thoughts, also.
Our municipality does not allow recycling of sharp objects but does recommend that cartridge razors be returned as per the article mentions.
Similar threads
