Every year in the US we throw away 2 billion “disposable” shaving razors. But the problem is, these items are not actually disposable at all – they are both dangerous and wasteful. How did we get so caught up in the shaving story? Well, it turns out that the story of shaving and the disposable razor that came with it was revolutionized by an ad-campaign in the early 1900s. Before then, straight razors (you know the kind at barber shops?) were the preferred method. But of course, this didn’t play into America’s turn of century idealism for convenience, because a straight razor must constantly be sharpened.
So, in popped BIC and Gillette with a fresh opportunity. But have you ever really thought about the environmental impact of your daily shave? Whether you use disposable razors and shaving cream (talk about those cans!) or you have invested in a sustainable safety razor, it’s also important to consider the reasons behind why you choose to shave. And if you realize that those reasons maybe aren’t so important, think about skipping a shave the next time and taking a baby step to help the environment.
