Waste-free waxing and shaving
Today at Way To Zero Waste, we're here to talk to you about how to achieve a waste-free shave. Waxing and shaving are already part of our daily routine, but what we are not yet aware of is the amount of waste generated by unsustainable body hair removal. Shall we start?
Does hair removal generate waste?
Yes, and a lot of it. According to the newspaper El Español, we spend an average of 52 disposable razor blades per year, accumulating a total of 2,000 million blades discarded annually worldwide. In addition, according to a study conducted in the United Kingdom, the annual expenditure on razors by men is 250 million pounds.
Razors are one of the most widely used disposable products in households today. Although they are a useful and functional tool for hair removal in men and women, their structure is entirely made of plastic, which is a major source of contamination. They are not considered packaging, so they cannot be disposed of in any container other than the gray one, which is destined for landfills, thus contributing greatly to the production of polluting gases.
Waste-free alternatives
Laser hair removal:
A good alternative for permanent hair removal. Although it is an excellent option, disposable products are still used in the procedure, such as the paper used on the table, disposable panties, laser heads, or glasses.
While this is not a totally environmentally responsible alternative, it does minimize the use of plastics and other waste.
Electric razors:
These technological objects are often an excellent choice because they take up little space and can last for many years. There are studies that corroborate that these razors are more sustainable and environmentally friendly than regular razors. Although they are battery-powered, the impact of their production offsets the use of resources we use for manual shaving.
Stainless steel blades
Investing in a reusable blade is one of the best decisions you can make as you will have a shaving method for a lifetime. Their interchangeable blades last much longer than conventional blades and are recyclable because they are made of metal.
To make sure your shaving is as sustainable as possible, be sure to shave after showering, so your pores will be more open and it will be easier to shave. It is also important to recycle your blades by collecting them and taking them to the nearest clean point.
Aftershave
We propose three alternatives for aftershave:
Use Marseille soap as this is quite creamy and gives a very good result.
DIY. Make your own aftershave. We follow this recipe from Bio Beauty.
Buy it solid, we recommend this one from Bio Nature.
Depilatory wax:
There is a sustainable way to make sugar-based depilatory wax at home. Victoria Moradell has this video on her YouTube channel that explains how to have residue-free hair removal at home.
Join the fight!