2023-09-18 19:44:00
Millions of razor blades are thrown away every year. Shavers often spend five minutes longer in the hot shower to shave. Are there more sustainable ways to shave beards or legs?
First those blades. Several alternatives to disposable razor blades can be found at the drugstore or in online stores. For example, safety razor blades, the straight razor or an electric shaver.
A scraper is safe
In the past, a safety razor, also known as a ‘scraper’, was the most normal thing in the world. It is an excellent sustainable option, says Elisah Pals, initiator of Zero Waste Netherlands. “You can use a ‘safety razor’ for a lifetime. I’ve been using mine since 2015. People sometimes hold back because they’re afraid of cutting themselves. But that’s not necessary. It’s not called a safety razor for nothing.”
Another advantage, according to Pals, is that the knife can be used by both men and women. “It just takes a while to get the hang of shaving.” Because the scraper consists of one blade and not several, like a disposable blade, the shaving motion is different. You make shorter, scratching movements.
Still hesitating? Then Pals recommends starting with a less sharp blade and not shaving in the shower. “This gives you more insight into what you are doing.”
The open knife requires more technique
“Disposable razor blades are actually not done,” Jari Dohmen agrees. He shares tips and advice regarding maintaining facial hair on his website Baardtips.nl. His preference: “A straight razor.”
From an ecological point of view, the straight razor is praised because, like the scraper, it produces virtually no waste. “I got mine five years ago and still use it.” There is a lot of choice. For example, you can buy knives made from recycled stainless steel.
The straight razor requires a bit more technique than a scraper. The nickname ‘cut throat razor‘, a razor to slit someone’s throat, did not appear out of thin air.
Vegan shaving soap in blocks
Then the shaving cream. This is often packaged in plastic or aluminum containers, which following use end up in the bin and then in the incinerator. Not really sustainable. But there are alternatives.
For example, shaving soap is available in blocks, packaged in cardboard or recycled paper. Most soap bars are vegan. You apply the soap directly to the skin or you pat it in a shaving bowl using a brush. Dohmen in Pals We do make a comment regarding this almost forgotten way of shaving: originally the brushes were made with badger or horse hair.
“Nowadays you also have them with synthetic hair,” says Dohmen. “If you choose good quality, you spend your whole life with a brush.”
Electric shaving on green energy
What regarding electric shaving? That’s where ‘quality’ comes into play once more. Both Pals and Dohmen emphasize that it is better to invest in a shaver from a good brand than to buy a piece of equipment for twenty euros that will break quickly.
How sustainable the use is then depends on how the electricity is generated. A shaver uses little energy, but green energy is of course the most sustainable. An advantage of electric shaving: you use little or no (warm) water.
Soaped up and with a durable blade in hand, a sustainable shave seems pretty close. But then there is also water consumption and the energy it takes to heat water.
Turn off that tap
“In any case, do not shave in the shower,” says Serge Calon of the sustainability initiative ’52 weeks sustainable’. “When shaving at the tap: close the tap while shaving. Just like brushing your teeth. We have found out that you use 12,000 liters of water per year when you brush your teeth with the tap open. With shaving it is even more so.”
If you shave under a warm shower, you will spend a few extra minutes under it. If you still want to do this, turn off the water while shaving, Pals advises.
Dohmen also has recommendations for saving water when cleaning up following a shave, especially for men with large beards. “You can use a shaving apron, which is a kind of hairdresser’s cloak. You catch hairs and don’t have to wash them out of the sink.” If they do end up there, you can still ‘beardbar‘ to use. That is a sponge to which beard hairs stick.
Most sustainable: get a beard
Conclusion: don’t shave in the shower. I prefer not to use disposable blades, but whether you choose a scraper, straight razor or electric shaver: invest in quality and they will sometimes last a lifetime.
What is also possible, perhaps the most sustainable: not shaving at all. An additional advantage for men with a beard: it also keeps your face warm in winter, so the thermostat can be set slightly lower.
Also read:
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The category Green guide answers practical questions regarding environmentally conscious living. Read previous episodes here.
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