The Importance of Eco-Friendly Shaving Supplies
Shaving is a daily ritual for millions of men and women worldwide. Unfortunately, most commercial shaving supplies aren’t environmentally friendly. Plastic razor waste aside, ingredients in shaving products may harm your body and the environment. For example, many popular shaving creams contain triethanolamine (a combination of ethylene oxide and ammonia) and propylene glycol — a main ingredient in antifreeze and brake fluid. Contact with triethanolamine has been linked to allergic reactions while contact with propylene glycol has been connected to allergies, eczema, and asthma.
Shaving without mindfully sourcing your supplies puts harmful chemicals like propylene glycol and triethanolamine back into the water ecosystem. These chemicals get absorbed by fish and other organic matter and can end up back on someone’s kitchen table.
Canned shaving creams also contain hydrocarbon-based propellants like butane or propane to make the product foam. Hydrocarbons are harmful to the environment because they’re a source of greenhouse gases.
The good news is that nontoxic shaving supplies exist and building an eco-friendly shaving kit won’t cost as much as you think. From your toiletry bag to your razor, here are seven must-have supplies for your eco-responsible shaving kit.
1. An Eco-Friendly Vegan Toiletry Bag
A vegan toiletry bag is the foundation for an earth-friendly shaving kit, but finding one that’s also eco-friendly isn’t easy. The majority of leather alternatives use polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a toxic material that isn’t biodegradable. Conventional cotton farmers use herbicides and pesticides, so avoid grabbing a toiletry bag off the department store shelf without checking what it’s made of.
Recommended Vegan Toiletry Bags
There’s a new vegan leather made from pineapple leaves called Piñatex. This leather-like material is made by a company called Ananas Anam, and is being used by several big brands including Hugo Boss. Pineapple leaves are a byproduct of existing agriculture so there’s less environmental impact.
Although sourcing pineapple leaves doesn’t adversely impact the environment, turning the leaves into leather requires using a petroleum-based resin, which isn’t biodegradable. Ananas Anam is working with a leading Dutch textile company to create a bio-resin alternative. Considering most synthetic vegan leather contains PVC, which releases dangerous dioxins, Piñatex is a safer and less damaging option.
If you’d like a toiletry bag made with this leather alternative, head over to Etsy for a Piñatex toiletry bag handmade in Belgium.
If you prefer the look and feel of cotton, Terra Thread offers a selection of vegan, fair trade, GOTS certified organic cotton pouches in various sizes.
Choosing a vegan toiletry bag says you care about people, too. Although leather is a popular option for toiletry bags, the leather industry exposes workers in developing countries to toxic chemicals, acids, and solvents that can cause serious, long-term harm.
2. Metal Razor
Get ready to shave like your grandparents! Old-school wet shaving tools are making a comeback because they’re affordable and they produce a cleaner, closer shave than anything you’ll get from a disposable or cartridge razor.
You can pick up one of these best-selling metal safety razors from Amazon in various styles, including different colors and varying handle lengths. Women who use safety razors to shave their legs prefer long handles and many people prefer short-handled safety razors for traveling. Note: If you’re traveling with a safety razor, the blades are not allowed in carry-on luggage.
While some brave men and women opt for a classic straight razor, most prefer a double-edged safety razor. Safety razors made from steel or chrome are built to last for generations. You could probably use your great grandfather’s razor and just replace the blade!
Still Not Ready to Switch to a Reusable Razor?
Recycling disposable razors isn’t profitable for waste management companies because the materials cost more to process than they’re worth. But if you’re not ready to try a reusable safety razor —or willing to endure the sharp learning curve (pun intended) to shave with a straight razor — you may be able to continue using disposable razors without tossing them into a landfill.
Qualified businesses and organizations that are willing to make a small effort can become collection points to gather disposable razors for recycling. In 2019, TerraCycle, a company that’s committed to recycling “un-recyclable” materials, launched a free razor return program with Gillette. You simply sign up online and provide your organization’s address. If your organization qualifies, you will receive a collection bin and TerraCycle will list the organization’s address on their map as a public drop-off point. When the bin is full, seal and send the bin to TerraCycle and request a new bin.
The program accepts cartridge heads and razors from all brands, including used blades from safety razors. Learn more about TerraCycle’s free Gillette Razor Recycling Program.
3. A Tin To Collect Used Blades for Recycling
Part of being environmentally responsible means using products that produce minimal waste, and that includes your used blades. You don’t need to shove used blades into the wall like your grandfather did. Metal safety razor replacement blades can now be recycled, making a safety razor as eco-friendly as a straight razor. But don’t toss them in your recycling bin; used blades are a safety hazard for recycling workers.
If you’re looking to upgrade your shaving routine to be more eco-friendly and sustainable, there are several steps you can take to reduce waste and use more natural products. Here are some tips to help you make the switch:
1. **Recycle Your Razors**: Instead of throwing away your disposable razors, consider participating in TerraCycle’s Gillette Razor Recycling program. Collect your used razors in a secure metal tin, and when it’s full, drop it off at a designated location for recycling. You can easily find a drop-off location near you using TerraCycle’s interactive map.
2. **Use Coconut Oil as Pre-Shave Oil**: Instead of buying chemical-based pre-shave oils, opt for natural alternatives like coconut oil. Simply rub a generous amount of coconut oil on the area you’re going to shave before applying shaving cream. Coconut oil provides extra glide for your razor and helps prevent razor bumps, rashes, and nicks. If you’re allergic to coconuts, jojoba oil is a great alternative.
3. **Make Your Own Shaving Cream or Soap**: Say goodbye to canned shaving cream with harsh chemical ingredients that dry out your skin. Consider making your own shaving cream using natural ingredients or purchasing handmade shaving soap from small businesses on platforms like Etsy or Amazon. By making your own products, you have full control over the ingredients that come into contact with your skin.
4. **Invest in a Shaving Brush and Scuttle**: If you use shaving soap, consider using a shaving brush to create and apply lather. Additionally, a scuttle or shaving bowl can help you achieve the perfect lather for a smooth shave. Practice creating lather using a scuttle before transitioning to lathering directly on your body.
5. **Switch to a Washcloth**: Replace disposable face wipes with a washcloth, soap, and water for a more eco-friendly alternative. Washcloths are reusable, easy to clean, and provide a gentle way to cleanse your face without the need for single-use wipes.
By incorporating these sustainable shaving tips into your routine, you can reduce waste, use natural products, and enjoy a more eco-friendly grooming experience. Make the switch today and take a step towards a greener lifestyle. The cryptocurrency market is one of the most volatile and unpredictable markets in the world. With prices constantly fluctuating and new coins being introduced every day, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest trends and developments. However, one coin that has been gaining popularity and attention in recent months is Ethereum.
Ethereum is a decentralized platform that enables developers to build and deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps). It was created by Vitalik Buterin in 2015 and has since become one of the most widely used cryptocurrencies in the world.
One of the key features of Ethereum is its ability to execute smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into the code. This eliminates the need for intermediaries and allows for secure and transparent transactions.
Another important aspect of Ethereum is its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH). Ether is used to pay for transaction fees and computational services on the Ethereum network. It is also used as a store of value and a medium of exchange.
In recent months, Ethereum has seen a surge in price and popularity, with many investors and developers flocking to the platform. This can be attributed to several factors, including the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications built on Ethereum, the upcoming upgrade to Ethereum 2.0, and the overall growth of the cryptocurrency market.
DeFi applications allow users to lend, borrow, and trade cryptocurrencies without the need for traditional financial institutions. These applications have gained traction in recent years due to their ability to provide financial services to underserved populations and offer higher returns than traditional banking systems.
The upcoming upgrade to Ethereum 2.0, also known as the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade, is set to improve the scalability, security, and sustainability of the Ethereum network. This upgrade will transition Ethereum from a proof-of-work (PoW) to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, which will reduce energy consumption and increase transaction speeds.
Overall, Ethereum continues to be a dominant force in the cryptocurrency market, with its innovative technology and growing ecosystem attracting new users and developers. As the platform continues to evolve and improve, it is likely that Ethereum will remain a key player in the industry for years to come.
