Thread: Environmentalist shout-out

Grist (an environmentalism web magazine) just posted a video about the impact on shaving. It's not long, it's not sophisticated, but it pretty much recommends that everyone switch to a straight. (DEs aren't even mentioned, for some reason.)

Ask Umbra’s video advice on shaving | Grist

Expect a flood (okay, a trickle) of environmental whackos any day now.

-Scott. (is a whacko)

Actually, she does mention DEs very quickly but she's also correct, straight shaving generates practically no waste.

Hey, I'm all for environmentalists practicing what they preach and as part of that using straights. I'm a bit surprised that we're not seeing more usage among "environmentalists" of composting toilets, gray water usage even in city limits; basically all the stuff that's considered "green" but apparently is too gross or too extreme for the average environmentalist to adopt as practice.

Environmentalists: practice what you preach and start shaving with a straight.

Chris L

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Environmentalists: practice what you preach and start shaving with a straight.

Chris L

Already did!
Not sure I qualify as an environmentalist. My wife practices environmental law, we are as "comfortably green" as we see practicable, purchase carbon offsets, and donate a not insubstantial amount to green causes. I'll pretend that it was a major factor in choosing to move to a straight....sure.

I am so all over this.....

I can use my starights, and claim I am helping the enviroment?????

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I am so all over this.....

I can use my starights, and claim I am helping the enviroment?????

Glen, you big green tree huggin' hippie.

At first I thought the thread title read "Environmentalist shoot-out"

I'm sure I'm not the only one that was attracted to the less waste part of shaving with a straight. Ok less cost of multi blades that end up getting throwen away... does that count

I've been pushing the local environmentalists at work to use a straight as it's environmentally sound to do so... the looks I get from them is priceless

I feel like playing devil's advocate here so I will, forgive me.

What about people who own hundreds of straights and the fuel and packaging used in the shipping process for all those razors? The mining and manufacturing of the blades can't be that good for the environment either. Also I use way more hot water and water in general when I shave with a straight compared to when I used a cartridge razor. All the various ADs seem to get in the way of the environmental thing as it's essentially an excess beyond what you actually "need" and the production process is not exactly the best for the environment. I'm guilty of it too as I always seem to buy shaving crap now which I don't exactly need.

Now I'm not saying straight shaving is "bad" for the environment, and when I think of all the plastic disposables and aerosol cans being thrown away from cartridge razor users, straight shaving is probably better, but I don't think straight shaving is some miracle that is 100% better than using a cartridge.

I guess if you're really a die hard environmental freak you just wouldn't shave at all and let yourself be "natural". For the rest of us though straight shaving is the next best thing, just don't kid yourself, it has its drawbacks too.

Very interesting video. It is sad to think about how much trash is building in landfills from just razors, razor packaging, shave cream cans, etc. DE's are a good alternative too though.