Green Choices Wednesday

Green Shaving

I've been looking for additional opportunities to eliminate "disposable" products from my lifestyle.  The latest thing that's been bothering me is the use of disposable razors.  A disposable razor is just a blade on a plastic handle.  Use it and throw it away.  The problem is that there is no such place as "away."  Everything goes somewhere.  Disposable products convert the Earth's precious resources into trash, one piece at a time. 

I have half of a package of disposable razors left.  I've decided to buy no more of them.  Here are the options I'm considering:

• A system with reusable handle and disposable blade head, such as Gillette Mach 3 or Fusion, or Schick Quattro.  Greatly reduced waste, but still throwing away the blade head.  A better option than I'm using now.
• A classic safety razor.  The head opens, allowing replacement of the blade only.  I could dispose of the used blades with the rest of my metal recycling.  No waste, and fairly inexpensive.  The classic safety razor is making a comeback, and is considered to be a closer shave than possible with a disposable.
• An "old fashioned" straight razor.  At one time, the main method of shaving.  Used by few in recent years, also currently making a comeback.  No waste, but requires a little more investment, $100+ for entry-level models, plus a strop.   Still considered to be the ultimate close shave.  Not to mention the cool factor!

I also understand that traditional wet-shaving glycerin-based shaving soap, as applied with a brush, gives a superior shave compared to shaving foam in a can.  From a green perspective, a shaving mug and brush is reuseable, compared to a can that is used and thrown away.  I plan to look into this also, and discontinue using canned foam.

I'll post again when I have chosen and purchased a new system, along with a review of the system's performance. 

Think Green and Live Green!