Shaving

Most of us shave our faces or bodies for one reason or another. How does one do so sustainably?

The first step you can take is to never shave in the shower. For starters, you're wasting a lot more water than you really need to shave, even if you're using a cheap disposable razor. Also, you are probably shaving while standing under wonderfully warm water . This, obviously, requires a lot of electricity input to heat the water.

If you're addicted to disposable razors, consider trying the Preserve brand. Their plastic handles are made from 100% recycled plastic. The company also provides pre-paid envelopes to return your used razors when you're done with them for the handles to be recycled again. Impressively cradle-to-cradle for a disposable product, huh? You can find Preserve products online, as well as at Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and Target.

It is better, however, to try to move to electric razors. They do not require any water to shave with, which reduces their impact substantially. Furthermore, the parts of electric razors work for years without getting dull and needing replacement. Hopefully more and more of us will have access to renewable sources of electricity in the very near future, reducing their impact much more.

An ideal shaving option is, of course, the traditional straight razor. One nice razor (which, bonus point, doesn't include any plastic!) will last you a lifetime if you take care of it. Men who use these razors swear by them. [I've not been able to find any accounts of women using straight razors on their legs/underarms, but if you hear that it works, let me know! I'd be willing to give it a try.]

Crunchy Chicken recently wrote about sustainable hair removal, too. Her recommended method (for women, I guess) is homemade "sugaring," which is a lot like waxing but it doesn't use petroleum-based ingredients. If you're interested, she has a recipe and directions.

[This is me trying not to write an entire post about the gendered and oppressive nature of society-enforced body hair removal...]

UPDATE: There are now wind-up options for shavers, too! Check out "Off-Grid Grooming is a Little Easier" from Tree Hugger!

Image from http://www.recycline.com/