How to Recycle Safety Razor Blades

Co-authored by Kathryn Kellogg

Last Updated: October 13, 2021 References

You want to be environmentally conscious, and that includes recycling everything you can, right? You've probably been looking at your razor and trying to figure out to recycle it. A safety razor is any razor that's not a straight blade, such as a disposable razor or a razor with replaceable blades. Look to see if your razors are recyclable in the first place, and find places where you can recycle both the blades and the handles as needed. You can also choose environmentally friendly options when deciding how to shave.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Checking If Your Razors Are Recyclable

1. 1
   Buy brands that advertise themselves as recyclable. Certain brands, such as a brand called Preserve, specifically make their razors to be recyclable. Choose a brand that makes recycling one of their core goals.

   • Some brands will state they focus on recycling on the package, but it doesn't hurt to do a little research before you buy.
   • You're more likely to find these brands at health food stores that also sell toiletries, like Whole Foods.
   • Another brand, Bikini Soft, makes shaving cream, but they also have a razor recycling program.
2. 2
   Look on the box for the recycle symbol. If you don't know of a brand that focuses on recycling, examine the box before you buy razors. If the razors or blades are recyclable, the box should have the tiny recycle symbol somewhere on the box, usually on the back near the bottom.

   • The recycle symbol is a small triangle formed by 3 arrows that bend around the corners of the triangle.
3. 3
   See what plastic the razor is made of. The recycle triangle will have a number in it to tell you what type of plastic was used to make the razor. That information is important because it tells you where you may be able to recycle it.

   • For instance, Preserve makes their razors out of #5 plastic.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Finding Places to Recycle Razor Blades

1. 1
   Avoid putting blades in your curbside recycling bin. While blades are recyclable, most city curbside recycling programs will not take them. They pose a health safety to the sanitation workers when placed with other recyclables.

   • The blades can also mess up the recycling machines.
2. 2
   Call your city to see if they take scrap metal separately. While you can't just toss the blades in your curbside recycling program, you may be able to walk them in to the scrap metal section. Call the city's recycling program to see if that's an option for you.

   • You can find the contact information on your city's website under the sanitation department.
   • Until you can dispose of your blades, keep them in a blade bank. You can buy blade banks online, or simply keep razors in things like prescription bottles, which are strong enough to hold the razors without danger.
3. 3
   Put the blades in the steel recycling section. When you take your blades in to the scrap metal center, choose the steel recycling bin. Ask a worker if you can put them in the bin by themselves or if they need to be in a recyclable container to protect sanitation workers from being cut.
4. 4
   Take whole razors to stores that recycle them. Some stores, such as Whole Foods, have stations set up to return razors. Keep in mind, though, they may only take certain brands that are made to be recycled, so check the bin before putting your razors in.

   • All you need to do is put the razors in the bin at the store. Typically, you can find these bins in the razor and toiletry aisle.
5. 5
   Mail whole razors into recycling programs. Some razor companies and shaving cream companies have mail-in programs. Usually, you'll need to buy something from them, but others may let you mail in your razors without buying from the company.

   • For instance, the shaving cream company Bikini Soft mails their products in a cardboard box. You can mail your razors back in the box, and it comes with a free shipping label.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Reducing Waste

1. 1
   Use safety razors with replaceable blades. While most razors you see in the store are considered safety razors, many of them are disposable, meaning you throw the whole razor away. Instead of buying disposables, look for one where you just replace the blade. You'll have a lot less waste overall.

   • This type of razor is more expensive in the beginning. However, replacing blades is usually less expensive than replacing the whole razor.
   • Other razors use a cartridge system, where you just replace the head instead of the whole razor.
2. 2
   Keep your blades rust-free by putting baby oil on the blade. After you're done shaving, dry off the blade. Put a little baby oil on the blade. The baby oil will help keep it rust-free, making your blade last longer. That reduces the number of blades you're throwing away or recycling.

   • This step can also help keep the blades sharp.
3. 3
   Switch to an electric razor to reduce waste. The blades on electric razors typically need to be changed less often than safety razors. Plus, even though electric razors use electricity, you generally use less energy overall. That's because when you shave with a safety razor, you typically use a significant amount of hot water, which also takes energy.

Expert Q&A

• Question

  Do razors go in a recycling bin?

  Kathryn Kellogg

  Sustainability Specialist

  Expert Answer

  No! It's really unsafe to put razors in a recycling bin. Most recycling is sorted by hand, so you should never put razor blades inside of your recycling bin.
• Question

  Can you recycle razor blades?

  Kathryn Kellogg

  Sustainability Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Yes! Try collecting all your razor blades so you can recycle them at once. Get a can of broth and make a hole in the top with a flathead screwdriver and a chisel that's big enough to fit a razor blade. Empty out all the broth, clean the can, and let it dry. Then, put in your razor blades every time you finish with them. Once the tin is full, which might take a lifetime, put a piece of tape over the hole and take it to a place that handles metal recycling.
• Question

  Are safety razors better than disposable razors?

  Kathryn Kellogg

  Sustainability Specialist

  Expert Answer

  I think so! Safety razors still give you a smooth, close shave. I always recommend that people switch to safety razors. You buy can a base and a pack of 100 blades for about $45, and it will last you forever. You only use one blade at a time, but it's the closest shave you will ever have.