A razor is an essential item for the modern man. Though convenient, it is contributing to the mess we have made of our environment. People continue to express their concern for the environment but do not think twice before buying those disposable plastic razors. Most of them are single-use, though manufacturers might claim otherwise.

Billions of these plastic razors are destined for landfills, their composition of mixed material making them unsuitable for recycling. Even the best razors are rejected after 3 to 7 uses as they get clogged and don’t give the ‘close shave’ that modern man craves.

Accompanying the razors are the tons of materials used for their packing; that means even more cardboard and plastic in use.

In the 1990s alone, 2B pounds of razors were disposed of by Americans alone. That was a time when a significant number of people still relied on traditional razors where the blades could be replaced. Present-day figures are much more alarming.

BEYONDPLASTIC has reported that around 5,000 billion disposable razor blades are used every year around the world. The situation is much worse now, and plastic razors have become an indispensable part of grooming for both genders.

Plastic Razors Are In No Way Recyclable

The plastic razors are not recyclable because of the materials used in their manufacture. Because of their mixed content, they are destined to be dumped in landfills where they will remain forever.

Also read: Nurdles: The Unknown Toxic Plastic Pollutant That Is Overwhelming Marine Life

Gillette has done its share of tokenism by offering to take back the used ones free of cost. It teamed up with Terracycle, while helps in the recycling of materials and products that are not easily disposed of or decomposed. But the initiative was doomed from the start as a mere 200 centers could not cater to a worldwide shaving community.

And attempts at recycling becomes unfeasible due to the high costs involved. Another razor company, BIC of France tried its hand at a recycling program without much success. The simple mantra is, if you cannot profit from recycling a product, it is considered non-recyclable.

Eco-friendly Alternatives To Plastic Razors

There are sustainable alternatives in the market. While bio-degradable alternatives like bamboo, metal, and brass can help curtail the volume that is dumped in landfills around the world, reusable alternatives remain the best option.

The safety razor, the double-edged one, is the best alternative for people intent on moving away from the plastic razor. The double-edged advantage effectively increases the use of the disposable razor used inside. They have been around for decades and the grip is made either from steel or brass.