This post includes sponsored links from Jungle Culture, all thoughts my own.

Shaving is something many of us do regularly, often without a second thought as it’s so commonplace. However, it can also be the source of a lot of waste, sending large amounts of disposable items to landfill each day, often made from plastic.

In 1990, a study showed that over 2 billion plastic razors and blades were thrown away in the US alone. Considering the age of this study, plus the fact that it only focused on one country, this number is likely much higher today. Beyond razors, many people use shaving creams, soaps and other additional items that are housed in non-recyclable and plastic packaging, release aerosols, and may contain harmful ingredients that impact health. 

Luckily, most of these are easily rectified situations. Moving away from disposables to reusables means that, as each item in your bathroom reaches the end of its life, you can find a sustainable alternative to replace it with. You have time to adopt new habits without becoming overwhelmed, and before you know it your bathroom will be housing natural, organic and plastic free options instead.

So here are some of my top tips when it comes to creating a low waste, sustainable shaving routine. 

Razors

As well as the sustainability aspect, shaving with a reusable safety razor is better for skin than disposables. With plastic single-use razors only the first blade cuts the hair, with other blades often causing skin irritation. A reusable razor only uses one blade to cut the hair at the surface of the skin, reducing irritation and giving a close and clean shave. Plus, reusable razors last for a very long time. You just need to change the blade, while the main body of the razor can be used for generations.

Reusable razors come in different shapes and sizes but mainly fall into three categories:

• 3 piece safety razors
• Butterfly safety razors
• Straight edged razors

3 piece razors and butterfly razors are essentially the same, although 3 piece razors unscrew while butterfly razors open to allow you to place a blade inside. Both use double-edge safety razor blades, while straight razors use single-sided blades. 

One of the most important things to look for when finding a razor is a well-weighted, properly balanced handle, as it ensures an easier shave. Other factors, such as handle length, grip style and how the razor looks, are simply down to personal preference. However those who may require a lighter option, whether for accessibility or preference, are advised to try a shorter handle as the weight distribution can be easier to manage.

Most safety razors will also have varying grip options:

• Textured grip: small ridges engraved into the surface of the razor handle to provide grip.
• Natural grip: relies on the texture of wood/bamboo to give the razor a strong and easy hold.
• Curved grip: the shape of the razor itself provides a shapely gripping surface for the user.

My personal preference is Jungle Culture’s 3 piece safety razors; they produce razors with all three grip options, all of which are non-slip, but I personally prefer the textured one. All their safety razors are unisex, but they also produce a range of ladies’ eco-friendly razors that are lighter in the hand than a traditional design. They’re compatible with all safety razor blades, and give a close shave while also being safe.

Additionally, Jungle Culture ethically source all their products from small farms, transparent factories and craft workshops that guarantee fair treatment of workers and 100% organic manufacturing. Everything is responsibly sourced, in person, by their team, from small operations with aligning values of caring for the earth and everyone in the supply chain.

While designed to last a lifetime, if for any reason you do need to recycle a safety razor you can send them to Terracycle for recycling. They can also recycle some disposable razor brands too.

Razor blades

Reusable razors allow you to switch out metal blades while keeping the main body of your razor intact and able to reuse. These metal blades can be re-sharpened, recycled or disposed of responsibly, rather than sending plastics to landfill. All safety razor blades are universal, created to a global standard, so double-edged blades will fit into any butterfly or double-edged razor you buy.

However, you should still pay attention to the quality of the blades you buy, and it’s a good idea to stick to reputable brands. I personally prefer to buy Shark razor blades, but Jungle Culture sells their own too.

These safety razor blades can easily be recycled, and it’s best to collect them in a container until you have a good amount to take to recycling. You can of course repurpose any container for this, but if you want a specific razor blade container you can buy a disposal tin for £5 here, which holds up to 100 blades.

Jungle culture also has a comprehensive step by step guide to recycling razor blades in the UK or US that you can view here, and if you reside in another country you can contact them for assistance recycling your blades.

Shaving soaps

Traditional shaving soap is a hard soap that lathers when applied to the skin. Originally designed for beard shaving, this soap was mixed in a dish and applied using a shaving brush. This soap can be used all over the body, however, with low waste shaving soap bars becoming increasingly popular. Unlike standard cleaning soaps, these specialised bars create a protective barrier between the skin and razor blade, making wet shaving much easier when using a reusable razor.

Shaving creams, foams and gels are other options people may use, usually packaged in aerosol cans or plastic bottles. Foams contain more water, lathering more quickly, which gels produce a silkier lather and are usually associated with a smoother overall shave. However, both products have their downfalls. While convenient, and often cheap, they can contain carcinogens and harsh ingredients that aren’t kind to the planet or the body; polluting local waterways and environments, and potentially causing irritation. All the air in aerosols also makes it difficult for the product to coat hairs and keep them upright, potentially causing irritation, while at-home aerosol products are also a major source of indoor air pollution.

Plus, while aerosol cans are technically recyclable, they are often refused from recycling units and sent to landfill instead. Terracycle currently don’t offer a recycling solution for shaving foam or gel cans, so switching to a solid bar is a surefire way to prevent waste.

While they may appear more expensive, a high quality shaving soap bar should last at least 6 months. This saves money in the long run while also producing minimal waste. You can find plastic-free, organic shaving soap bars here, and you can find organic shaving oil/balm options for face shaving here.

Brushes

If you do want to use a shaving brush and soap for a traditional shaving routine, there are options out there that are more sustainable and cruelty-free. Many conventional shaving brushes contain plastic handles or animal fibres, such as badger or boar hair, for bristles, which many people want to avoid. However, there are vegan-friendly options available such as metal shaving sets which are built in the UK using steel, brass and chrome sourced from Sheffield and recycled synthetic fibres, or brushes with natural wooden handles and synthetic bristles. While synthetics aren’t ideal, if you decide to opt for a brush they should still reduce waste overall by lasting much longer than disposables. Plus synthetic bristles will still ensure a good lather for a clean and smooth shave, while also working as a gentle exfoliator too.

Some top shaving tips 

When switching to reusable, low-waste shaving options, here are some handy extra tips to remember:

• Exfoliate before you shave: this helps to remove any dead skin cells blocking the pores. By removing them you can get a close shave, as you get closer to the surface of the skin. Shaving soap bars will also help remove excess oils and dirt from the skin, while using a shaving soap brush in circular motions can help exfoliate too.
• Soak before applying shaving soap: soaking the skin in warm water for around three minutes can open pores and soften the hair. When combined with shaving soap you will moisturise as you shave, creating a cleaner result and reducing the risk of irritation.
• Use short, straight strokes and take your time when you first start: unlike disposable razor you don’t need to push down hard on the skin, so be gentle and go slow until you get the hand of it. 
• Don’t dry shave or shave diagonally! 
• Moisturise after shaving: using something organic and natural will help keep the skin calm, especially if you use something anti-inflammatory and gentle.
• Change your blade regularly

And hopefully, with these tips and advice, you should be good to go on your quest for a low waste bathroom routine. Happy shaving!