Zero waste was once relegated for only the most devout hippies. You know the ones I’m talking about - they live entirely off-grid, grow all of their own food, and wear strange sweaters.
And, to be honest, that sounds pretty damn appealing. I do love a strange sweater.
But, I also like getting dressed up. I like a little glamour in my life. I’ve always been interested in fashion, makeup, and jewelry.
In general, I think there’s a misconception when it comes to sustainable living. People think they need to change who they are, but really it’s about embracing who you are in a sustainable way.
The Earth doesn’t need carbon copies of people in strange sweaters - the Earth needs YOU. And, it needs you exactly as you are.
For me, that means pink feminine clothing, make-up, and a lot of show tunes.
My ‘be yourself’ anthem brings me to the topic for which you are all here - SHAVING + other forms of eco-friendly hair removal.
This post was sponsored by Eco Roots all thoughts and opinions are my own for more information please see my disclosure policy.
Eco Roots is an eco-conscious minimalist brand that’s based in Colorado. They’re a small, zero-waste shop that makes sure all of their products are ethically and sustainably sourced.
They ship all of their products in recyclable and upcycled materials - completely plastic-free!
But, my favorite part of Eco Roots is that they donate a portion of each sale to Ocean Conservancy.
I always look for companies that give back, to me, it means that they truly care about the environment, and they’re not just trying to sell products to take advantage of how popular the eco-friendly movement has become.
Here’s a few of my favorite items from their store!
shaving:
When I first started going zero waste I was asked if I’d give up shaving.
And, if you have given up shaving, more power to you. I’m so happy that you’ve found something that works for you, but it’s just not for me.
I love having super, silky smooth legs.
The EPA estimates 2 billion razors are thrown away each year. Eek! Razors are practically impossible to recycle so I get why people asked it.
RELATED: Zero Waste Shaving Kit
According to this guide, I found on the Venus Website we should be burning through razors pretty quickly.
If you shave daily, switch your blades out every 1 to 2 weeks. If you shave every other day, switch your blades out every 2 to 3 weeks. If you shave twice a week, switch your blades out every 4 to 6 weeks.
Beyond just the environmental cost, (I mean that is A LOT of razors headed to the landfill) can we talk about the cost, cost?
One Venus Razor Body is $11.99, and a set of four refills is $18.95.Assuming you switch your blades out every three weeks (which is average from above) you’ll spend about $100 on shaving each year.
Most girls start shaving their legs around 12 and tend to stop shaving in their 60s. That’s about 50 years of shaving and $5,000.
And, I can hear you now, “But, Kathryn! You shave!” Yes, yes, I do and I cannot WAIT to introduce you to my preferred method that:
- Involves zero waste
- Costs pennies
- Results in the closest shave
- Reduces razor burn!
Introducing the SAFETY RAZOR! I am a very vocal proponent and tell everyone to switch ALL. THE. TIME.
I am partial to this rose gold safety razor. Pink, feminine, and shaving with a single blade does make me feel very Sweeny Todd. Plus, it makes my bathroom look upscale and fancy.
So, let’s get to the good stuff…
Safety razors are made from stainless steel so if it does ever break, it’s fully recyclable. But, the likely chance of it breaking is very unlikely. You can still find antique safety razors for sale that work from 70 years ago.
The initial razor costs $32 and a pack of 10 blades is $3.50. If you change your blade every 3 weeks you’ll be spending about $6 on blades a year. Over the course of 50 years, including the purchase of the razor, you’re looking at $332.
Which would you rather pay $5,000 or $332?
And, what makes this even better is that it’s a closer shave, better for the environment and better for your skin.
We’ve been told that more blades = a better shave, but that’s just not true. A single blade will give you an extremely close shave, and it’s better if you tend to suffer from ingrown hairs and razor burn.
Interestingly enough, shaving is having quite the renaissance. Barbershops are starting to offer old-fashioned hot shaves reminiscent of the 19th century, and it’s becoming rather common for people to switch back to the safety razor.
how do I not cut myself?
I know, shaving with a safety razor can seem VERY intimidating at first. I’m not going to lie I was definitely a fraidy cat when it came to using mine at first.
But, I've only cut myself once, and it was when I dropped the razor. I've never cut myself while actually shaving.
You’ll definitely want to get a shave soap or a soap with a lot of lather. Hold the safety razor at a 30-degree angle and use short strokes.
Don't press down or apply pressure - the blade should just glide.
PRO TIP: Figure out how much water you’re using! For me, I save water if I shave in the bath. My bathtub holds about 30 gallons of water so if I shower longer than six minutes, I save water by taking a bath.
Other favorite additions to bath time is following up with lavender body oil.
what about razor blades:
In order to recycle razor blades, you’ll need to take them to a transfer station that handles metal recycling with machines only.
If you're in Northern California, I go to the Concord Recycling Center. Get a steel can that contains broth only. Cut a slot in the top of the can big enough for a blade to slip through, and pour the broth out. Rinse with water and leave the can to dry for a day or two.
Obviously, there's no way of completely guaranteeing it to be dry, but that's alright. Drop you used blades into the slot. Once it's full put a piece of tape over the slot and take it to your nearest metal recycling facility.
electric razor/trimmers:
Justin has a beard so he keeps everything trimmed with a really nice electric razor. I’ve never been a big fan of using an electric razor on my legs though. I always found that it pulled and hurt. Would love to know if you’ve had a good experience though!
epilator:
Epilators are small hand held devices that pulls the hairs out of your legs similar to waxing, it can be painful.
laser:
Of course, laser hair removal is a pretty extreme option, but could be right for some!
sugar waxing:
Sugar waxing is really popular in the zero waste community. I don’t really trust myself to wax myself, but if you’re feeling so bold - go for it!
not shaving:
And, of course you could just not shave!
How do you shave? Or do you? Have you used any of the methods above? I would love to hear about it!
I want to give another big thank you to Eco Roots for sponsoring this blog post. If you’re in the market for some new zero-waste supplies and are looking for an alternative to Amazon, look no further! This way you can guarantee that you’re products will come #PlasticFree!
