For millions of men and women around the world, shaving is a daily ritual. Unfortunately, most commercially available shaving products are not environmentally friendly. Aside from plastic razor waste, the ingredients in shaving products can have negative effects on your body and the environment. For example, many popular shaving creams contain triethanolamine (a combination of the following ingredients): ethylene oxide and ammonia) and propylene glycol – the main component of antifreeze and brake fluid. contact with triethanolamine It has been pointed out that there is a connection with allergic reactions due to contact with. propylene glycol connected to allergy, eczema, asthma.
Shaving without carefully sourcing what you need will release harmful chemicals like propylene glycol and triethanolamine back into the water ecosystem. These chemicals can be absorbed by fish and other organic matter and end up back on someone’s kitchen table.
Also found in canned shaving cream Hydrocarbon type A propellant such as butane or propane to foam the product. Hydrocarbons are harmful to the environment because they are a source of greenhouse gases.
The good news? Non-toxic shaving supplies do exist, and building an eco-friendly shaving kit isn’t as expensive as you might think. From toiletry bags to razors, here are seven must-haves for your eco-friendly shaving kit.
1. Eco-friendly vegan toiletry bag
Vegan toiletry bags are the foundation of any eco-friendly shaving kit, but finding one that’s also eco-friendly can be a challenge. Most alternative leather uses polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a toxic material that is not biodegradable. Traditional cotton farmers use herbicides and pesticides, so avoid picking up toiletry bags off the shelf at a department store without checking what they’re made of.
Recommended vegan toiletry bags
There’s something called a new vegan leather made from pineapple leaves. piñatex. This leather-like material is made by a company called Ananas Anam, and is also used by major brands such as Hugo Boss. Pineapple leaves are a by-product of existing agriculture, so they have less of an impact on the environment.
Sourcing pineapple leaves has no negative impact on the environment, but processing the leaves into leather requires the use of a petroleum-based resin that is not biodegradable. Ananas Anam is working with a major Dutch textile company to develop bioresin alternatives. Considering most Synthetic vegan leather contains PVCemits dangerous dioxins, while Piñatex is a safer and less harmful option.
If you want a toiletry bag made from this alternative leather, head over to Etsy. Piñatex toiletry bag Handcrafted in Belgium.
If you prefer the look and feel of cotton, terrace red offers vegan, fair trade and GOTS certified organic cotton pouches in a variety of sizes.
Choosing a vegan toiletry bag means you care about people too. Leather is a popular choice for toiletry bags, but the leather industry exposing workers in developing countries to toxic chemicalsacids, and solvents that can cause serious long-term harm.
2. Metal razor
Get ready to shave like your grandparents! Old-fashioned wet shaving tools are making a comeback. That’s because they’re affordable and give you a cleaner, closer shave than disposable or cartridge razors.
You can choose any of these Best-selling metal safety razor A variety of styles are available from Amazon, including different colors and different handle lengths. Women who use safety razors to shave their legs are long handle And many people prefer short-handled safety razors for travel. Note: If you travel with a safety razor, Knives cannot be packed in carry-on baggage.
While some brave men and women choose something classic, straight razormost people prefer double-edged safety razors. Safety razors made of steel or chrome are built to last for generations. You might even just use your great-grandfather’s razor and change the blade.
Not ready to switch to reusable razors yet?
Recycling disposable razors is not profitable. For waste management companies, processing costs outweigh the value of the materials. But if you’re not ready to try a reusable safety razor or aren’t willing to endure the steep learning curve (pun intended) of shaving with a straight razor, don’t throw it away in the landfill. You may be able to continue using disposable razors.
Qualified businesses and organizations willing to put in some effort can become collection points for collecting disposable razors for recycling. In 2019, TerraCycle, a company dedicated to recycling “unrecyclable” materials, launched a free Razor return program With Gillette. Simply sign up online and enter your organization’s address. If your organization qualifies, you will receive a drop-off box and TerraCycle will list your organization’s address on the map as a public drop-off location. When your trash can is full, seal the trash can and send it to TerraCycle to request a new trash can.
This program accepts all brands of cartridge heads and razors, including used safety razor blades. Learn more about the free version of TerraCycle Gillette razor recycling program.
3. Cans for collecting and recycling used knives
Being environmentally responsible means using products that minimize waste, including used blades. There’s no need for that Stick a used blade into the wall Just like your grandfather did. The replacement blades of metal safety razors are now recyclable, making them as environmentally friendly as straight razors. However, please do not throw it in the recycling bin. Used blades are a safety hazard for recycling workers. Collect it in a secure metal can, and once it’s full, take it to the Gillette razor recycling program drop-off location at TerraCycle mentioned above. to find nearby drop-off locations. TerraCycle interactive map.
4. Coconut oil
Pre-shave oil is important for both men and women. Today’s disposable razor shaving culture has made pre-shave oil obsolete, but if you want a close shave without razor bumps, rashes, or cuts, you need pre-shave oil. Instead of buying small packages of chemical-based products in the shaving aisle, try the following: coconut oil.
Coconut oil can be purchased in small jars at the grocery store, but if you’re already using coconut oil for other purposes like cooking, oil pulling, or grooming your dog, you can buy coconut oil at stores like Costco. Purchase a giant bathtub at a mass retailer.
To use coconut oil as a pre-shave oil, just before applying shaving cream, rub some coconut oil into your hands (or warm it in a pan in winter) and rub it liberally onto the area you want to shave. Oil helps the razor glide.
If you are allergic to coconut, please try this. jojoba oil.
5. Homemade shaving cream or soap
Ditch the canned food and make your own homemade shaving cream. Canned shaving cream is expensive Chemical ingredients dry out the skin. Creating your own shaving cream gives you complete control over the ingredients that are absorbed into your skin.
For those who have experience making soap or those who want to learn new skills, Follow these instructions To make your own shaving soap. If you’re not a soap maker or want an easy option, DIY shaving cream is an easy project.
Or you can support small businesses by purchasing handmade shaving soap from authors on Etsy and Amazon. Shaving soap is sold in packs, squeeze tubes, or bars. Here are some soaps to consider.
6. Shaving brush and scuttle
If you’re using shaving soap, you might want to consider two more tools in your shaving kit. shaving brush Create and apply bubbles, self-propelled Or a shaving bowl.
If you are using shaving soap for the first time, it is best to practice lathering as follows. using a scuttle. However, over time, you may switch to lathering directly on your body. Some men prefer lathering directly on their faces, and some women prefer lathering directly on their legs.
7. Tenugui
Disposable face wipes floating around in your toiletry bag may be convenient, but they’re not environmentally friendly. Replace with towels, soap and water. You don’t need fancy wipes to wash your face.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on December 17, 2019 and updated in December 2024.
