Unpopular opinion: Safety razors cut down shop trash more than people think

Adam Rivera · 2026-02-26T09:16:01.002929+00:00

I swapped to straight safety razors a while back because of all the plastic from cartridges. It took some getting used to, but now my shaves are smooth and folks comment on the old school vibe. A couple barbers I know say it slows them down too much. Has anyone else made a switch like this to be more green? I want to hear what works for your place.

james7467mo ago

The blade disposal alone makes a real difference, since it's just a tiny bit of metal. Made the swap a few years back and noticed a drop in bathroom trash right away. It's a small change but it honestly cuts down the waste stream.

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avery_murray7mo ago

I was skeptical, but @james746's blade disposal point won me over.

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the_taylor7mo ago

My barber introduced me to safety razors about twelve years ago, and the lack of plastic waste still impresses me. It's not just the blades, either. You stop buying those big plastic cartridge packs completely. My bathroom bin takes weeks to fill up now, which is a pretty clear sign it's working.

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