Welcome to the third installment of Green Space – a community place for sharing great finds for your home that are healthy inside and out and take care of our planet too.
Our last two recommendations were about body washes and shampoos. Did you make a switch? If so, we want to hear from you! Share your story with us on a product swap that made you feel good. You will be entered into a drawing to win finds featured in our stories. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @wiltongogreen and use the hashtag #madetheswitch so you can be part of our growing community of green do-gooders. Your experiences with these sustainable products or your personal favorites are always worth sharing!
Razors for Healthy Skin and Planet
You may not always think about that disposable razor in your shower – you use it a few times and toss it out when the blade gets dull. But the planet remembers. Billions of plastic razors end up in landfills each year. Disposable razors are hazards as sharp objects of mixed materials making them impossible to recycle – think about using this razor for three to ten times then throwing it away to sit for the rest of time in a landfill. Why not make the switch to one of these long-lasting and beautiful additions to your shower with healthy alternatives for you and the planet. Check out our March review of shaving products — all cruelty-free, sustainably packaged and planet worthy.
EcoRoots Zero-Waste Shaving Kit For Women
Either purchased with a starter shaving kit or sold separately, the EcoRoots razor for women does not disappoint. I ordered the rose gold razor — a beautiful addition to any shower instead of looking at more plastic.
After just one shave, my sensitive skin felt surprisingly smooth, soft and dare I say supple — by far, this was the best my skin has ever felt after shaving. Because of the heft of the razor, the weight does the work for you. No need to press firmly on the skin, let the razor glide over the skin at a 30 or so degree angle. Before your first shave, be sure to watch how-to posts on YouTube; one example here. This will avoid unnecessary nicks and make your first experience much “smoother”. The stainless-steel blades are sharp by nature to achieve that close shave. Before attempting to load the blade, watch EcoRoot’s how-to video. In no time, you will be a pro.
At first glance, the $30-$50 price tag for the razor and accessories may seem more expensive compared to one package of disposable razors. However, EcoRoots’ zinc alloy razor will last for years and buying their replacement blades will save you $100 annually. If you change blades weekly, your annual blade cost will be $18. Think too of the cost savings to our environment and how good you will feel that every shave is one less piece of plastic in a landfill.
EcoRoots also offers a shaving soap for the face and legs sold separately or as part of the shaving kit for women. The soap is vegan with all organic ingredients good for sensitive skin like mine. My husband also made the switch to this soap over his gel in plastic packaging. He loves the way it lathers, how easily it fits in his hand and how smooth and refreshed his skin feels after every shave.
Preserve Ocean Plastic Initiative (POPI) Shave 5
The BPA free Popi Shave 5 is made from recycled ocean plastic. The razor is designed for both men and women in mind with many colors to choose from and an ergonomic handle. The razor in simple recyclable packaging can be purchased online or in local stores including Walmart and CVS. 25% of proceeds when purchasing this razor are donated to not-for-profits that work to clean up beaches, for conversation efforts to reduce ocean plastic pollution and to protect marine animals. Although not personally tested by our green do-gooders, users found the razor’s 5 ceramic coated blades to be delicate on sensitive skin and highly effective for a close and smooth shave. The razor features a strip infused with cocoa butter and aloe and the brand suggests changing the blade once the strip is worn down. Many users were also pleasantly surprised with the durability and longevity of the razor handle.
There was no going back to his Gillette disposables once my green do-gooder husband tried the Leaf Two razor. The razor in design and in function offers the user a lot of flexibility. My husband commented on the 2-blade pivoting head that with minimal pressure can get to those hard-to-reach areas of the face. He noticed the pivoting head also gives a closer shave than his disposable without the nicks and skin irritation that come with it. He was impressed with the weight of the razor that did the heavy lifting and the easy to hold grip especially in the shower.
The razor comes with 10-single edge blades however you can use your own favorite blades for a personalized experience. The design uses any standard double-edge (DE) safety razor blade, which you snap in half while in the paper wrapper. The shaver is both a versatile and sustainable find for both face and body shaving. The Leaf Two has a large and loyal following for head shavers given its smooth glide and the ability to adjust the number of blades for the closeness of the shave.
The packaging is eco-friendly with a QR code for online instructions on how to get started which my husband highly recommends for a nick-free first time try.
While the most expensive investment in our line-up of products, the razor is known for its durability and commitment to customer service. The all-metal handle has been tested to exceed 1.1 million cycles or 50 years. The blades are a fraction of the cost of disposables. In short order, this can be an economical and sustainable investment in your journey to plastic free living. If you are not satisfied within 30 days of using the Leaf Two, you can receive a full refund.
How to Recycle Blades
The beauty of a safety razor is that it’s a safe and effective alternative to disposable razors for a healthy you and a healthy planet. Even your used blades can be less of a burden for the planet. Metal blades are recyclable at a drop off location. The Wilton Transfer Station will take your blades for scrap metal. To avoid injuries with handling, the Transfer Station required that you place used blades in a metal container that can be sealed or has a lid (think of a small coffee can or mint container). Recycling bins at home will not take blades.
Make one switch of your shave routine in March by starting with quality products that take care of your skin and the planet.
Next month, Green Space will feature great finds for eco-friendly toothpastes.
Happy Swapping!
Julie Andersen, Wilton Go Green