Razor blades are made from recyclable metals, and technically, the metal they are made from is recyclable… However, you cannot recycle used razor blades. In fact, in some places, it’s actually illegal! The thing is, you can’t just toss them in the regular trash, either.
Why? Because razors can harm the sanitation workers and animals that come into contact with them. They are also very thin, so they easily get caught in recycling equipment and cause damage.
Here’s how you dispose of razor blades safely.
Dispose of razor blades safely
To dispose of a razor blade:
- wrap it in several folds of paper or between two cardboard pieces.
- Bind the paper or cardboard thoroughly with tape so there is little chance the blades will come free.
- Now, you can put the safely wrapped blade in the regular household trash.
Alternatively, you can buy an inexpensive blade bank or make your own.
Make your own razor blade bank:
- Buy a can of plain soup broth that has no vegetables or food chunks of any kind. This is so you can easily empty the contents of the can through a very small slot.
- Cut a thin slot into the top with a craft knife or tin snips. The slot should be thin enough that blades can be deposited, but have little chance of sliding back out.
- Drain the soup and rinse it clean to avoid pests and odors. Clearly label your new blade bank before filling it with razors and keep it out of reach from children and pets.
- Once the can is three-quarters full, tape over the slot and dispose of it with the regular household trash.
Throw away disposable razors safely
Disposable razors are pretty easy. Simply wrap the blade-end of the razor in paper, fold it a few times and bind it with tape. It is now safe to discard in the regular household trash.
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