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Recycling Blades

Okay weird question, but I need an idea for recycling blades.

My problem is the local metal collectors. I don't mind that they pick through my bin -- usually they put everything back neatly -- but I don't want anyone to get cut on my recycled items.

My first thought was to put the blades in an aluminum or bi-metal can and then crush it to prevent any blades from escaping. Would that muck up the recycling process?

thanks,
Kelly
 
Who knows. I'm all for recycling and always do it when I can, but I don't bother recycling razor blades. I secure them in a blade dispenser and they go to the dump. I've seen how even the new single stream recycling operations work, and yes it does get handled. The little bit of metal in a razor blade isn't worth the risk it poses to someone.
 
If someone scrounging in people's trash for scrap metal doesn't even take precautions for getting cut, then I'm not going to concern myself. They could just as easily cut themselves on those tin cans or that broken bottle I tossed in here. And in most municipalities digging on trash is not allowed.

I just push my blades hrough that slot in the medicine cabinet. They may get recycled someday, long after I'm gone.
 
A chemist might have sharpie disposal containers, try them or use a jar and put a BLADES plackard on it.
 
I cut a slot in a plastic Listerine bottle and keep it under my sink. It will probably take a couple years to fill, but it keeps sharps safe from kids, pets and stupid people.
 
I use an Altoids (breath mint) tin to store used blades, which--even given its small size--will take 2+ years to fill; there are threads on how to use a broth/soup can, not to mention tin blade banks, kids' piggy banks, etc. These matters vary by country and locality, but, as far as I can tell, recycling such tin containers holding blades should work fine where I live in the U.S. Others can correct me if I'm wrong.
 
I'm all for recycling and always do it when I can, but I don't bother recycling razor blades. I secure them in a blade dispenser and they go to the dump. I've seen how even the new single stream recycling operations work, and yes it does get handled. The little bit of metal in a razor blade isn't worth the risk it poses to someone.

+1. I put mine in the $1 blade banks vendors sell, then trash them when full. I have been to a number of recycling facilities and seen the handling. Razor blades are really an insignificant amount of the waste stream and I don't feel bad at all for not recycling them.
 
I save them and put them in the candy I give out on Halloween.

As everyone has mentioned, a blade bank will cover you.
 
If you live in an older house you may have a "blade slot" in the back of your medicine cabinet (in the bathroom).

I've always dropped blades down there and never worried about them. In my 45 years of shaving I may have tossed a couple pounds of steel which might be worth .000001 cents at scrap price.

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My city have co-mingled recyclables so glass and metal go in the same bin. I use a mickeys grenade bottle with a slit cut in the cap.
 
Blades have blood and other bodily fluids making them hazmat. Forget recycling them. Correct disposal...bury them, drop them inside your bathroom wall or wrap them in heavy tape and drop in the trash.
 
Blades have blood and other bodily fluids making them hazmat. Forget recycling them. Correct disposal...bury them, drop them inside your bathroom wall or wrap them in heavy tape and drop in the trash.

I have read that in a couple of other places as well. I would recommend that anyone who wants to recycle their blades to please consult with their recycler. Even if you put them in your recycling and they get picked up, they may get sorted into the trash once they reach the facility. If your recycling company doesn't want them because they are considered medical waste, please don't waste their time.
 
If you live in an older house you may have a "blade slot" in the back of your medicine cabinet (in the bathroom).

I've always dropped blades down there and never worried about them. In my 45 years of shaving I may have tossed a couple pounds of steel which might be worth .000001 cents at scrap price.

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I just bought a house and gutted the bathroom that had one of those

Trust me when I say that the next owner will want to kill you :biggrin1:
 
Altoids minis or smalls or whatever they call 'em is a perfect container for used blades. Easy to open and close, but seals up pretty well when shut.

When it's full, I put duct tape around it to make sure it won't just fly open and I put it in the trash can. It's a tiny little thing and it takes months and months to fill up one Altoids mini container.
 
I used to drop them in a bottle but it occurred to me that in the end you've got broken glass AND rusty razor blades. I got a few of those little metal blade banks as mentioned and now life is good.
 
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