What happens to electric razors when they stop working or need to be replaced? These are becoming increasingly popular and are being used by companies to reduce the need for mining and make the industry more sustainable This creates a waste stream that can be collected. Global sales of these useful home appliances are expected to soar from approximately $11.2 billion in 2022 to an estimated $19.6 billion by 203.1.
If an electric razor is an essential part of your grooming routine, be aware that it comes at an environmental cost. Recycling your razors and blades helps alleviate the growing electronic waste crisis, conserves valuable resources, and reduces your impact on the planet. The good news? Recycling programs can prevent these impacts and create a sustainable path forward.
Environmental impact of electric razors
Electric razors may be small, but their impact on the environment is by no means large. For example, whether you have a corded razor, a battery-powered razor, or a handheld Gillette razor, recycling can help you:
Extracting resources: Electric razors are composed of metals such as steel, aluminum, and copper, along with plastic and electronic components. Mining these materials is energy-intensive and causes habitat destruction, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil erosion. just produce 1 tonne of aluminum produces 11.5 tonne of COâ‚‚ emissions.
Electronic waste issue: The world created 62 1 million tons of e-waste in 2024according to the Global Electronic Waste Monitor. Like many small electronic devices, electric razors often end up in landfills, where metals and plastics are discarded. Harmful chemicals can leach into soil and water.
non-biodegradable materials: Plastics and components in electric razors can take centuries to decompose, exacerbating the strain on landfill capacity and increasing risks to wildlife and ecosystems.
Why recycling electric razors is more important than ever
As sales volumes increase, it is clear that there is an environmental imperative to recycle electric razors. Recycling has major benefits, including:
Reduce the need for raw materials: Recycling metals such as aluminum and copper consumes far less energy than mining and processing virgin materials. For example, aluminum recycling Save up to 95% of the energy required for primary production.
Reducing landfill usage: Recycling ensures that reusable materials do not take up limited landfill space and that metals, plastics and electronic components are reprocessed into new products.
minimize pollution: Proper recycling prevents contamination of soils and waterways with toxic substances in some components, such as lead and mercury.
Convenient recycling program for electric razors
Some electric razor manufacturers now offer mail-in recycling programs. At the same time, some retailers have started accepting personal grooming products, making it easier than ever for consumers to recycle responsibly. If your razor is still usable, consider repairing it or donating it to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Instead of sending it to the landfill, check out one of the following local or mail-in programs offered by the industry.
- shaver outlet: Offering a free mail-in program to reduce the release of heavy metals and other toxins in landfills, Shaver Out accepts all brands of rechargeable battery-powered shavers, trimmers, and clippers for humans and pets. Please ship your old product to: Attn: Recycling Division, Shaver Outlet Inc., 3380 S. Park Ave. Suite 6, Titanville, FL 32780.
- Best Buy: The electronics retail giant accepts a wide range of equipment for recycling, including electric razors. When you visit the store, please bring your product to the service desk. Best Buy also offers paid mail recycling box Includes prepaid UPS shipping labels in several sizes.
- Gillette: The company’s battery-powered replaceable blade handles, blades, can be packaged Recycle for free through Terracycle. You must sign up with Terracycle to take advantage of our free shipping service, which accepts products from a variety of personal care brands.
- Panasonic: Not only can you recycle your old electric razors and other grooming products for free, but Panasonic is offering a 30% discount on new purchases for your convenience. Go to Panasonic’s recycling page Start the return.
- philips norelco: Although the company participates in recycling programs in some states, it does not offer recycling by mail and recommends that interested customers: For postal recycling services, use MRM Recycling.
- brown: Braun does not offer recycling by mail and directs customers to a local customer service center for assistance, which is not very helpful.
Don’t have a solution? Easy tips to recycle razors
If a product mail-in program is not available, find a local e-waste collection event or drop-off center (please add your zip code to this email) Earth911 search). Parts can be separated and recycled battery locallyElectronic equipment and metal cutlery are also recycled as e-waste. scrap metalavailable at a drop-off location near you.
The rapid increase in electric razor sales highlights the need for better recycling programs. If only a small fraction of the approximately 150 million electric razors sold worldwide each year were recycled by consumers, vast amounts of recyclable material would be saved and energy-intensive resource extraction would be reduced. demand can be reduced. With manufacturer programs and local options readily available, taking action has never been easier. Let’s work together to minimize the impact of these small devices on the planet.