Gillette and recycling organisation TerraCycle have partnered to make all razor brands in Canada recyclable.   Gillette Razor Recycling Program allows consumers across the country to recycle all brands of disposable razors, replaceable-blade cartridge units and razor plastic packaging.   Consumers can download the free TerraCycle shipping label and placed their razors in a puncture proof packaging to send to TerraCycle for recycling.   Gillette Razor Local Recycling Solutions in inviting businesses, gyms, colleges, cities and community organisations to set up drop-off points through the program page online. Once accepted into the program, TerraCycle and Gillette will deliver a recycling bin to them, which can be returned to TerraCycle via UPS and a new bin delivered.   “Through this innovative, first of its kind program, disposable razors, replaceable-blade cartridge units and their associated packaging are now nationally recyclable through the Gillette Recycling Program,” said TerraCycle CEO and founder Tom Szaky. “We are proud to partner with this forward-thinking company to offer consumers a way to divert razor waste from landfills.”   “We are very excited about our partnership with TerraCycle to offer recycling for Gillette, Venus or any razor brand across Canada. This is an important first step towards sustainable solutions for shaving products and the start of an exciting journey with Gillette and TerraCycle.” said Gillette Canada leader, Jennifer Seiler.   For every recycled razor sent, collectors can earn points which they can use for charity gifts or they can convert to cash and donate to their chosen non-profit, school or charitable organisation. Donated packaging will be converted into park benches, bike racks, pet food bowls and recycling bins.  

NEW YORK – How bad is your disposable razor for the environment? The question is gaining attention among consumers amid a growing global campaign against plastic waste, with cities and countries introducing bans on single-use plastic bags and straws.   Don’t worry, there’s no talk of banning your razor, which isn’t exactly single use. Still, billions of plastic razors and refill blade cartridges get tossed in landfills each year. Municipal recycling programs in the U.S. will not accept them because they are sharp objects made of mixed materials.   What can be done? Well, there are no perfectly convenient options, aside from foregoing shaving altogether. For those concerned about an eco-friendlier shave, here are some things to know.  

The fate of disposable razors

  The Environmental Protection Agency once estimated that 2 billion razors and refill blades get tossed out in the U.S. each year. That figure is widely cited by recycling advocates and startups marketing eco-friendly razors. Gillette, the world’s leading razor brand, also cites the number on a website detailing a new recycling program for razors launched earlier this year.   But the figure appears to date back to an EPA campaign from the late 1980s against a national “garbage crisis.” A 1990 “Environmental Consumer’s Handbook” on the EPA’s website says the U.S. produces “2 billion throwaway razors and blades” each year. The EPA now says it does not track the impact of disposable razors on the environment and has no update on the figure.   It’s likely even higher. Last year, more than $1.2 billion in disposable razors were sold in the U.S, according to market research firm Euromonitor. Prices vary widely but many disposables are less than $1 each.  

How to recycle your razors

  There are few options for recycling razors. The French company BIC started a razor recycling program in France a few years ago that didn’t last.   Now, Gillette is trying out a similar idea in the U.S. in partnership with TerraCycle, an organization that specializes in hard-to-recycle waste. All brands of razors are accepted.   The easiest option is mailing the razors to TerraCycle, but the shipping costs are on you. At no cost, you can deliver razors to drop-off centers on TerraCycle’s interactive map. But with only 200 locations so far, the option is not practical for many. (There’s only one site so far in California, and six in Florida.) Stephanie Moses, an account director for TerraCycle, said the program is growing quickly, and the map will be updated to show 350 locations by mid-August.  

The comeback of the double-edged safety razors

  Remember the old-school safety razor your grandfather used? It’s making a comeback. Trendy direct-to-consumer brands have reintroduced them to younger generations, most prominently Bevel, the grooming lined aimed at black men, and Oui Shave, one of the few safety razor brands aimed at women.   Safety razors are built to last, usually made of materials like steel or chrome. The only waste is the steel blades, and some municipalities recycle them. Oui founder Karen Young said she’s developing a map for her site to show which ones. Newcomer brand Leaf Shave allows customers to mail back their blades in a custom-made tin box for recycling.   The tricky thing is that safety razors come with a higher upfront cost, ranging anywhere from $15 to more than $200 depending on the brand. However, the refill blades are cheap, as low as 20 cents each, compared to $2 for the average modern cartridge.   You can familiarize yourself with established brands through long-time retailers like GroomingLounge.com and The Art of Shaving. Michael Gilman, founder of GroomingLounge.com, said safety razors are a small but fast-growing part of his business, with blade sales tripling in the past year. Beginners should go for the lower-priced razors and look for closed-comb design and weighted handles, he said.   If you are looking to try one out, however, most of the newer digital brands offer 30-day returns, regardless of whether the razor is used.  

Are there other eco-friendly options?

  Safety razors are not made for rushed morning routines. And frequent fliers be warned: you can’t throw the blades into your carry-on luggage. The Transportation Safety Administration wrote a blogpost about it after finding that “they’re making a comeback thanks to the close shave they provide and the extremely affordable price of the replacement blades.”   If it’s not for you, at least switching to a cartridge with a reusable handle reduces the waste. Already, that is the more popular option among U.S. men, according to Euromonitor figures, though women in the U.S. still spend more money on fully disposable plastic razors.

NEW YORK (AP) — How bad is your disposable razor for the environment? The question is gaining attention among consumers amid a growing global campaign against plastic waste, with cities and countries introducing bans on single-use plastic bags and straws.   Don’t worry, there’s no talk of banning your razor, which isn’t exactly single use. Still, billions of plastic razors and refill blade cartridges get tossed in landfills each year. Municipal recycling programs in the U.S. will not accept them because they are sharp objects made of mixed materials.   What can be done? Well, there are no perfectly convenient options, aside from foregoing shaving altogether. For those concerned about an eco-friendlier shave, here are some things to know.   THE FATE OF DISPOSABLE RAZORS   The Environmental Protection Agency once estimated that 2 billion razors and refill blades get tossed out in the U.S. each year. That figure is widely cited by recycling advocates and startups marketing eco-friendly razors. Gillette, the world’s leading razor brand, also cites the number on a website detailing a new recycling program for razors launched earlier this year.   But the figure appears to date back to an EPA campaign from the late 1980s against a national “garbage crisis.” A 1990 “Environmental Consumer’s Handbook” on the EPA’s website says the U.S. produces “2 billion throwaway razors and blades” each year. The EPA now says it does not track the impact of disposable razors on the environment and has no update on the figure.   It’s likely even higher. Last year, more than $1.2 billion in disposable razors were sold in the U.S, according to market research firm Euromonitor. Prices vary widely but many disposables are less than $1 each.   HOW TO RECYCLE YOUR RAZORS   There are few options for recycling razors. The French company BIC started a razor recycling program in France a few years ago that didn’t last.   Now, Gillette is trying out a similar idea in the U.S. in partnership with TerraCycle, an organization that specializes in hard-to-recycle waste. All brands of razors are accepted.   The easiest option is mailing the razors to TerraCycle, but the shipping costs are on you. At no cost, you can deliver razors to drop-off centers on TerraCycle’s interactive map. But with only 200 locations so far, the option is not practical for many. (There’s only one site so far in California, and six in Florida.) Stephanie Moses, an account director for TerraCycle, said the program is growing quickly, and the map will be updated to show 350 locations by mid-August.   THE COMEBACK OF THE DOUBLE-EDGED SAFETY RAZORS   Remember the old-school safety razor your grandfather used? It’s making a comeback. Trendy direct-to-consumer brands have reintroduced them to younger generations, most prominently Bevel, the grooming lined aimed at black men, and Oui Shave, one of the few safety razor brands aimed at women.   Safety razors are built to last, usually made of materials like steel or chrome. The only waste is the steel blades, and some municipalities recycle them. Oui founder Karen Young said she’s developing a map for her site to show which ones. Newcomer brand Leaf Shave allows customers to mail back their blades in a custom-made tin box for recycling.   The tricky thing is that safety razors come with a higher upfront cost, ranging anywhere from $15 to more than $200 depending on the brand. However, the refill blades are cheap, as low as 20 cents each, compared to $2 for the average modern cartridge.   You can familiarize yourself with established brands through long-time retailers like GroomingLounge.com and The Art of Shaving. Michael Gilman, founder of GroomingLounge.com, said safety razors are a small but fast-growing part of his business, with blade sales tripling in the past year. Beginners should go for the lower-priced razors and look for closed-comb design and weighted handles, he said.   If you are looking to try one out, however, most of the newer digital brands offer 30-day returns, regardless of whether the razor is used.   ARE THERE OTHER ECO-FRIENDLY OPTIONS?   Safety razors are not made for rushed morning routines. And frequent fliers be warned: you can’t throw the blades into your carry-on luggage. The Transportation Safety Administration wrote a blog post about it after finding that “they’re making a comeback thanks to the close shave they provide and the extremely affordable price of the replacement blades.”   If it’s not for you, at least switching to a cartridge with a reusable handle reduces the waste. Already, that is the more popular option among U.S. men, according to Euromonitor figures, though women in the U.S. still spend more money on fully disposable plastic razors.

Terracycle has partnered with Gillette to try and create a better system, however, you could control it at the source by changing what you purchase. There are reusable safety razors, which only involve changing out the blade itself, and I’ve also learned of a company called Preserve which is made of recycled yogurt cups and has blades that need to be sent back to the company to be disposed of properly.

« Le réel problème de notre société, c’est ce concept de « disposabilité ». Il faut que de plus en plus de gens se coupent de cette idée », soutient Tom Szaky, p.-d.g. de TerraCycle, devenu le nouveau prophète de la consigne après avoir été un des chefs de file de l’industrie planétaire du recyclage

« Le réel problème de notre société, c’est ce concept de « disposabilité ». Il faut que de plus en plus de gens se coupent de cette idée », soutient Tom Szaky, p.-d.g. de TerraCycle, devenu le nouveau prophète de la consigne après avoir été un des chefs de file de l’industrie planétaire du recyclage.

Tom Szaky and his brainchild of a company, TerraCycle, collects non-recyclable items and turn them into everyday goods. Learn how you can join the movement and help reduce waste.

Recycling used to be so simple: aluminum cans, glass bottles, newspapers and paper bags. But the sheer amount of disposable items has turned a garbage problem into a garbage crisis, says Tom Szaky, founder and chief executive of TerraCycle. The company’s mission is recycling the previously unrecyclable, such as cigarette butts, contact lenses and chewing gum.

Recycling used to be so simple: aluminum cans, glass bottles, newspapers and paper bags. The sheer amount of disposable items has turned a garbage problem into a garbage crisis, says Tom Szaky, founder and chief executive of TerraCycle. The company’s mission is recycling the previously unrecyclable, such as cigarette butts, contact lenses and chewing gum.