A safety razor is a type of razor that uses a single double-edged blade. It’s different from the standard razors like disposable or cartridge styles you might be used to, which usually have blades on the top of the razor.
Safety razors are also known as double-edge or double-edge safety razors. Safety razor blades must be replaced often, and they must also be disposed of properly. Here is everything you need to know about getting rid of your safety razor blades once they’re no longer useful to you.
In short, safety razor blades must be disposed of properly to ensure they aren’t a hazard to sanitation workers or anyone else that may come in contact with them. Blade banks are the best option for disposing of your safety razor blades. These banks are usually made of metal or thick plastic and are completely enclosed. To use a blade bank, simply take your used safety razor blade and insert it into the slit in the blade bank. When full, these blade banks can be given to a place that recycles them. Many companies that sell shaving products accept full blade banks for recycling.
Blade banks can be purchased online and come in a variety of styles. Alternatively, you could make your own or use a sharps container that you might be able to get from a local pharmacy.
What to Do with Your Used Safety Razor Blades
Safety razor blades are not like disposable blades for a cartridge razor like the Gillette Fusion5. Instead, they are single-use, disposable blades, though you can’t just throw them in the trash. You need to take care to dispose of your razor blades in a way that doesn’t cause harm to the environment or other people.
Safety razor blades are made of stainless steel, which is a dangerous material to dispose of in a standard landfill. It can leach into the soil and cause contamination. To prevent this, you need to take care to dispose of your razor blades differently. You can also recycle your used blades by either giving them back to the manufacturer (if they accept them) or turning them in to a local establishment that recycles them.
Why Are Safety Razor Blades Dangerous to Dispose of?
If you throw your used razor blades away with your regular trash, they can become dangerous for sanitation workers and the environment. Razor blades can cause serious injuries if they are not properly stored and disposed of. Also, they are bad for the environment and if not recycled properly they create a need to harvest and produce more metals. Proper storage and disposal of safety razor blades ensure that no one is hurt and materials used to produce the blades aren’t wasted, contributing to pollution.
Where to Dispose of Your Safety Razor Blade
As previously mentioned, a blade bank or a sharps container is best used to store your used safety razor blades before disposal. Many companies that sell shaving products will accept the razors back for recycling. Alternatively, local metal recyclers might accept them, or even your local pharmacy if they accept sharps. Never throw your safety razors in your regular household garbage as it creates hazards and waste.
Can Safety Razor Blades Be Recycled?
Yes, safety razor blades can be recycled. Many local recycling facilities as well as pharmacies accept safety razor blades as part of their regular recycling program. If you live in a city, you may also have a recycling drop-off where you can take your used razor blades for recycling. If you don’t have access to a recycling program that accepts used razor blades, you can also try to contact the company you purchased the blades from. Many companies have recycling programs, one great example being the partnership of TerraCycle and Gillette, which allows you to mail your used razor blades in for safe recycling.
What’s a Razor Blade Bank?
A razor blade bank is a container that allows you to safely store used razor blades until you are ready to take them to a recycling center. You can place your used razor blades into the bank one at a time until it’s full, and then you can take them to a recycling center. Razor blade banks are available online, and they come in many different designs. Some are wall-mounted containers, while others are tabletop containers that fit easily in a bathroom.
You can also make your razor blade bank if you’d prefer to do that. If making your blade bank, be sure to use a material that is not easily punctured to create a container that cannot be easily opened. Razor blade banks are a great way to safely store and dispose of many used razor blades at once.
What to Do with a Blade Bank When It’s Full?
When your razor blade bank is full, you can take it to a recycling center or special recycling event that accepts metal items like razor blades. You can also drop off your used razor blades at a local pharmacy or metal recycling facility that accepts used razor blades as part of their recycling program. If you don’t have access to a recycling program that accepts used razor blades, you can also take advantage of the program offered by Gillette and simply mail in all of your used razor blades.
Wrapping Up
Safety razor blades are great for shaving and reducing your carbon footprint, but once you’re done using them, you need to take care to dispose of them properly so they don’t cause harm to the environment. Using a blade bank or a sharps container is the best option for storing your used safety razor blades before disposal. When ready, take your filled blade bank down to your local pharmacy or metal recycling facility. Alternatively, you could contact the company you purchased the razor blades from and see if they have their own recycling program available.
