Shaving, plucking, and waxing, oh my! When it comes to hair removal products and methods, it is easy to quickly become overwhelmed. For most people, cost, pain level, and effectiveness are all factors that help them choose which method is best for them.

However, have you ever considered how hair removal can impact the environment? Here’s the deal:

Generally, the most popular form of hair removal is shaving. A large majority of people tend to go for plastic, disposable razors.

They are cheap, easy, and ubiquitous, so they can’t be that harmful, right? Wrong:

Two billion plastic razors make their way into the landfill each year.

 

 

Yeah, and that is just in one year!

Our landfills and oceans are already filled with billions upon billions of these wasteful razors.

What if I told you that there was a solution that was just as accessible and easy, but better for the planet?

 

 

The Birth of the Disposable Razor

Turns out, there was once a time when an eco-friendly shaving solution was already in place. In the early 20th century, King Camp Gillette invented the mass-produced safety razor. This model had a stainless steel reusable handle and a double-edged blade that could be replaced.

This safety razor replaced the dangerous straight razors that men used in the past. I only say “men” for a reason.

Get this: Back in those days, women did not shave at all!

 

 

It was not until 1975 that Bic created the plastic disposable razor which is still commonly used today. They are so cheap that most people just get a whole new razor instead of replacing the blades. Think about it:

 

 

Sure, it is convenient, but there is so much unnecessary waste that is being created, for no reason! 

 

Going Back to Basics: The Zero Waste Razor

There recently has been a resurgence of the safety razor due to the zero waste movement. People are becoming more critical of their everyday habits in attempts to make them more eco-friendly, which is awesome!

 

 

If you are also trying to live a less wasteful life, consider switching to a zero-waste razor.

Eco Roots Rose Gold Safety Razor is affordable, beautiful, and works great. All Eco Roots products, come in plastic-free, recyclable packaging.

 

 

Finally: A shaving solution that you do not have to feel guilty about!

 

Form Follows Function

If you want to get a high-quality shave, you deserve a high-quality razor. The Zero Waste Rose Gold Safety Razor does not disappoint!

 

Just upon looks, this razor is gorgeous.

 

 

The rose gold finish makes it look like some sort of luxurious art object rather than a product that you incorporate into your everyday routine. The sophisticated design definitely enhances the experience of shaving.

 

Do not let its beauty fool you:

 

The handle of the razor was ergonomically designed so you can get a close, comfortable shave. Since it was crafted with human hands in mind, it is also very light and durable.

 

 

There is a high-finish to the reusable handle, which protects it from corrosion. To be sure that your razor stays looking stunning, do not leave it in the shower or tub and simply store it in a dry place.

 

 

Even the blade was created in attempts to upgrade your shaving experience. The double-edged blade leaves your skin feeling super smooth. In fact, it minimizes the chances of hair getting trapped under your skin.

 

The Waste-free Way: Replacing Blades

Replacing blades might seem cumbersome when you are used to disposing of the whole razor, but it really is not hard and it actually is more economical!

When your EcoRoots zero waste razor is delivered, it will come equipped with five stainless steel blades. It is recommended to change the blade around every seven shaving sessions, so you are already set for around 35 shaves! Think about it:

For $32 you are getting a beautiful, long-lasting razor handle and enough blades to last you a few months. Once you eventually use all of those blades, don’t worry! There is also a pack of replacement razor blades and get this:

For $3.50, you get 10 new blades! In fact, even if you were to shave every single day and replaced your blade once a week, you would only spend around $18 a year on replacement blades.

It is so affordable!

 

 

Now, “how exactly does one replace a blade?” you may ask. It’s easy:

 

1. Simply unscrew the handle from the razor head by twisting it.

2. Separate the two sides of the razor head from the dull blade.

3. Get your fresh blade and place it back in between the two rose gold parts.

4. Screw the handle back on and you’re set!

If you are having trouble, we have a great tutorial video.

 

The Complete Zero Waste Shaving Experience

 

 

Sure, switching over to a safety razor with replaceable blades is a great start to creating less waste, but there are other ways to make your shaving routine, even more, zero waste. Think about this:

Typically, women tend to use a cream or foam while shaving.

These products usually come in plastic packaging, but this is not the only solution to getting a smooth, cut-free shave.

 

 

For instance, we have a package-free organic shaving soap.

Choosing a bar soap over a bottled soap is a great, easy way to minimize packaging waste.

Since blades are made from stainless steel, they are technically recyclable, but please read this carefully:

Blades are sharp and can cause harm to waste management workers, so always check with your local recycling center to see how to properly get rid of them.

 

 

Sharp objects usually need to be disposed of in special containers. There are also mail-back programs available that will recycle your blades for you.

Do your research before tossing your blades!

Being conscious of the ways our daily routines affect the planet is a productive way of changing our habits, reducing waste, and making a real change.

By switching from a disposable razor to a zero-waste razor, you will stop contributing to the one million pounds of plastic razors that end up in landfill each year.

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Reasons to use a Soap Dish

When it comes to living a sustainable, eco-conscious life, every decision you make as a consumer holds meaning.

Choosing a product that is plastic-free, reusable, or biodegradable over a disposable alternative is an easy way to contribute less to the production of plastic.

 

 

Here’s why it matters:

Approximately 8 million pieces of plastic pollution find their way into our oceans every day.

Yes, Every. Single. Day.

Plastic pollution is an escalating problem that is upsetting to most of us humans, yet we often times feel powerless.

We really do have the capability to make a change, though!

Here’s one way how:

Eco-Alternative: Switching to Bar Soap

A small, easy substitute that you can make in your life is switching from liquid hand soap/body wash to bar soap.

EcoRoots also offers shampoo bars that can replace your common plastic bottled shampoo.

You might be wondering: How exactly does this help the environment?

Well, bar soap is often times package-free, so you are contributing less to plastic pollution.

Plastic liquid soaps require roughly 20 times more energy for packaging production than bar soaps do.

 

 

Also, because bar soap is more concentrated, it lasts longer.

One shampoo bar is the equivalent to three plastic bottles of liquid shampoo.

 

The Importance of Soap Dishes

If you have bar soap in your household, there are several reasons why you should consider getting a soap dish, specifically, the Eco Roots Bamboo Soap Dish.

 

 

The most obvious reason why any soap dish deserves love is that it keeps your countertops and bathtub ledges clean from soap residue, here’s why: 

The majority of the soap racks on the market are made from either plastic (no thanks!), metal (subject to eventually rust), or ceramic (can easily fall and break).

Luckily, our EcoRoots soap dish is made out of bamboo, which has amazing natural properties.

 

 

Here’s the deal:

Amazing Properties of Bamboo

First off, bamboo is not like other woods.

It does not absorb moisture, so it does not swell or warp.

In fact, bamboo grows in warm, tropical climates. It is the perfect material for a soap dish because it is not affected by the moisture or humidity of a bathroom.

 

 

Another way that bamboo differs from other types of wood is that it’s more regenerative. Bamboo fully matures and is ready to be harvested in just 3-5 years.

Additionally, it requires no pesticides, fertilizer, or irrigation. Since it grows back so quickly and requires fewer resources, bamboo is considered to be a very sustainable material.

Unlike the production of plastic, the Earth actually benefits from people growing more bamboo to use for products.

Bamboo plants remove a large amount of carbon dioxide from the environment.

In fact, bamboo holds four times more CO2 than other hardwoods and produces 35% more oxygen.

Since the EcoRoots Soap Dish is made of bamboo, it is naturally antibacterial.

 

 

That’s right: all bamboo is antibacterial, insect-repellent, and odor-repellent.

Since you use bar soap to wash, it is essential for your soap dish to be anti-bacterial to prevent any germs from lingering around.

If you feel as though your bamboo product has reached the end of its lifetime, no worries, it is completely biodegradable!

Although you can compost bamboo products at home, it is recommended to send it to a commercial composter to speed up to process. If buried in the soil, bamboo will compost within 3 years. If put into your home compost, it will take around 4-6 months. When industrially composted, it only takes a few weeks!

 

Affordability

Okay…are you convinced yet?

The EcoRoots Bamboo Soap Dish is sustainable, anti-bacterial, stylish, and affordable.

Purchasing one soap dish will only set you back $7.50!

At that price, you might as well get one for both your kitchen and bathroom. Definitely, one of the high-quality bamboo soap rack that I have ever come across.

 

Not All Soap Dishes Are Created Equal

Have you ever heard of a soap rack called a soap saver instead? Well, here’s why:

Besides preventing your soap from falling or getting residue everywhere, good soap savers actually extend the life of the soap bar.

 

 

I say good soap rests because not all are created equal.

Many of these products on the market are actually just dishes that do not allow the soap to dry out completely.

This causes the bar to stay moist, change shape, wear down, and eventually develop an odor.

Good soap rests, like the EcoRoots Bamboo Soap Dish, are designed to let the soap dry out completely in between uses. If you closely examine this specific product, you will notice that there are ridges on the surface where the bar rests. This allows for more surface area of the soap to be exposed to air, which lets it dry completely.

 

Aesthetics

Besides being designed to extend the life of your soap bar, can we talk about the visual design of the EcoRoots soap dish?!

The form is very minimalist, yet beautiful.

 

 

We love the natural touch it gives to a kitchen or bathroom. Since it is so simple, it really could compliment anyone’s personal style or aesthetic.

 

Voting With Your Dollars

An easy way to feel like you are making a difference is to support companies that are eco-conscious.

EcoRoots is a brand that is dedicated to bringing consumers long-lasting, ethical products that are manufactured with sustainable methods and materials.

 

 

We donate a portion of every sale to Ocean Conservancy, which helps keep plastic out of our oceans.

A soap dish may seem minuscule in the grand scheme of things, but switching to bar soap and purchasing the eco-friendly bamboo soap dish can be an important step towards contributing less to the ever-growing plastic pollution.

With that, we will leave you with this Chinese proverb. "The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones".

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EcoRoots plastic-free online store is excited to announce our new line of easy to use, zero-waste shampoo and conditioner bars!

 

 

If this type of product is new to you, here’s how it works: we skip right over the harmful chemicals and wasteful plastic bottles that other companies use, mix together a whole bunch of healthy, natural ingredients like coconut oil, lemon juice, and cocoa butter, and outcomes shampoo and conditioner bars that are fun and easy, eco-friendly, travel well, smell great, and offer amazing benefits for all hair types.

 

Regular shampoos and conditioners are an alphabet soup of manufactured ingredients like preservatives, fragrance oils, and other synthetics that cause dryness by pulling moisture from your hair and scalp, make your hair brittle and irritate your skin.

The natural ingredients in our bars provide moisture, repair damaged hair, and boost shine and strength.

As an added bonus: they’re great for oily and flaky scalps, which is one of my favorite benefits of using this product because it solves a problem I’ve always had and could never find a solution to, until now.  

No harsh chemicals

Bigger companies use harsh chemicals in their shampoos and conditioners.

In fact, Sodium Laureth Sulfate is just the second ingredient in one of Lush’s best-sellers: BIG.

Sulfates like this one are proven to be too harsh on your hair and skin.

They strip moisture by removing naturally occurring oils, and allow more damage to occur, but bigger shampoo and conditioner companies continue to put them in their products because they’re cheap, easy to use, and if your hair remains damaged, they can keep you coming back to spend $30+ per bottle on their product instead of one that helps.

Now, here’s the deal: at EcoRoots, we want you and your hair to feel happy, healthy, and beautiful.

 

 

We kick the sulfates out the door and replace them with natural oils that contain vitamins and moisturizing properties, plant extracts, rose water, and other great, that help us create shampoo and conditioner bars that are not only better for you, but they’re also great for the environment, travel-friendly, and totally plastic-free.

What’s better than that?

Good for your scalp problems

In addition to naturally being great for moisture, shine, texture, and overall hair health, these shampoo and conditioner bars will work wonders on your oily and flaky scalp.

Our secret: the best ingredients, and no sulfates, palm-oil free, no silicones, or parabens.

Our bars are vegan and made with natural and organic ingredients like plant extracts and natural essential oils that are scientifically proven to be good for you.

Coconut oil is known to provide deep moisture without weighing down your hair.

Vanilla contains antioxidants that not only prevent but also reverse damage caused by free radicals.

Rose water contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help to heal your sensitive skin, which means: no more oily, flaky scalp!

The combination of vitamins and lemon peel adds a gorgeous shine and incredible strength to your hair.

Did I mention that they’re also great for color-treated hair because they don’t contain any color-stripping chemicals?

The list goes on! No matter what hair type, style, or color you’re rocking, these bars will leave your hair and scalp feeling silky soft and amazingly clean!

How to use them

 

 

You might be wondering: how do you use shampoos and conditioners that come in bars instead of bottles?

Lucky for you (and me, and all the other eco-friendly Earth warriors out there), it’s incredibly simple.

1. You can use the bars directly on your hair once it’s wet, or you can wet the bar and rub it in your hands until it’s lathered enough to comb through your hair with your fingers. If you choose to go with the first technique and rub the bar directly into your hair, here’s the best way to do it: wet your hair, gently rub the bar directly onto your hair in a combing motion from your scalp to the ends, make sure you’ve covered each section, gently massage your scalp and hair to make it lather (the more lather, the better. This pulls all of the dirt and oil out), and rinse thoroughly.

 

 

2. If you prefer technique number two and would rather create the lather in your hands first, follow these steps: wet your hair, wet the bar, rub the bar between your hands until it has lathered up enough, use your fingers as a comb to smooth the lather along your hair from your scalp to the ends and massage it in to lather, even more, then rinse it all out.

This second option may be easier at first until you get used to the different consistency of the bars compared to liquid shampoo and conditioner out of bottles.

There may be a short adjustment period in the beginning, but believe me, it’s worth it!

How to store them

When you’re done with the bars for the day, just shake off the extra water, leave them out on a shower shelf to air dry, and they’ll be ready for their next use.

You could also buy a sustainable bamboo soap dish to put them on or a tin to use as their bed so you know that they will stay dry and out of the way if you’re worried about leaving them on a wet shower shelf.

 

 

Shaking off the extra water or gently drying the bars with the corner of a towel will ensure that the bars stay solid and don’t stick to the surface you’re leaving them on.

These are all great options for shampoo and conditioner bar storage, and the best way to pick one is to try it out and see what works best for you and your bars.

However you choose to store your bars, they won’t take up anywhere near as much space as a normal shampoo and conditioner bottles do, and they will last up to 75 washes each (50 to 75 is the range we usually give), which is incredibly impressive for their compact 2.25 oz size!  

Your zero-waste and plastic-free options

1. Summer Breeze Shampoo & Conditioner Bar

 

 

Close your eyes and imagine you’re on a beautiful beach somewhere, drink in hand, summer sun beating down, and a soft, warm breeze blowing through your hair.

That’s what it feels like to use the Summer Breeze bars.

They even look like they’re made of exotic pink sand!

With hints of tropical coconut, warm caramel, sweet vanilla, and fresh cherries, these bars will make you feel like you’re living out a wonderful, warm, sweet summer day, no matter where you are or what time of year it is.

 

 

Because they contain coconut oil, sunflower oil, rose water, and vitamin B, they’re also great for adding moisture, reversing hair damage caused by free radicals, healing sensitive scalp skin, and adding shine and moisture.

This shampoo and conditioner combination is one of our favorite.

You can use it every day, and it’s the one we recommend to anyone who loves sweet scents, summer breezes, and silky, soft hair.

 

2. Moroccan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner Bar

 

 

Next up: Moroccan Oil shampoo and conditioner bars. These bars give your hair a different kind of vacation, but they’re super rejuvenating and calming nonetheless.

You will experience a light, pleasant, earthy, and oriental scent with these.

 

 

A hint of lemon lightens them up and makes them feel even cleaner, and the slight musk that you get from the Moroccan oil makes them great unisex bars.

The coconut oil, Moroccan oil, and pro-vitamin complex with lemon peel will provide moisture without weight, repair damaged strands, and add strength and shine.

This is the pair that we recommend for anyone who plans on sharing, or just wants something with a lighter scent.

The darker, unique brown color would also look great in any bathroom.

 

3. CocoLime Colada Shampoo & Conditioner Bar

 

 

With the CocoLime Colada bars, we’re back on the beach! This one’s just a bit more tropical: picture palm trees, hammocks, and hollowed out coconuts.

These shampoo and conditioner bars smell like pina colada paradise.

 

 

They’re a gorgeous green color and they look like a lighter, circular lime, but we don’t recommend eating them.

The coconut oil and lemon peel in these bars will help to nourish your scalp, and the vitamin C and lime oil help fight dryness.

Their natural ingredients make them safe for everyday use.

We recommend the CocoLime Colada set to anyone with a flaky, dry scalp or dry, brittle hair because it works wonders for this hair type, and they’ll leave your whole head feeling fresh, clean, soft, and flake-free.

 

4. Citrus Fresh Shampoo & Conditioner Bar

 

 

If you’ve ever gone to a farm or a field to pick fresh fruit, caught the scent of the fruit blowing toward you in the breeze, and never wanted to leave, we have the perfect shampoo and conditioner bars for you: Citrus Fresh.

They are a bright, beautiful sun-orange color, exactly like a small disc of grapefruit.

 

 

The coconut oil in these bars will deeply moisturize your hair without making it heavy, grapefruit extract purifies to help promote hair growth and combat dryness along with the coconut oil, and the pro-vitamin complex and lemon peel will make your hair shiny and strong.

Like all of the other bars, they’re great for any hair type, but these ones are particularly great for adding strength, growth, and moisture, so we usually recommend this pair to anyone looking for more of those characteristics.

Environmental benefits of zero waste shampoo bars & conditioners 

Now, we know these bars are great for all hair types, fun, easy to use, made with natural ingredients, last longer than typical bottles, won’t leak in your luggage when you’re traveling, and they smell fantastic, but it gets better: these zero-waste, plastic-free products can help us save the environment.

 

 

It takes up to 1,000 years for one plastic bottle to decompose, and as they’re breaking down, they’re leaking harmful chemicals into the ground.

 

Research studies revealed that in the U.S. alone, more than 552 million bottles of shampoo and conditioner could be ending up in landfills each year.

That’s enough to fill 1,164 football fields, and plastic bottles in our oceans are set to outnumber the fish by 2050.

I don’t know about you, but we were astonished by these numbers, and at EcoRoots we want to do anything we can to reduce plastic waste and contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet.

Shampoo and conditioner bars work even better than their counterparts, and they don’t contribute to waste in landfills or oceans, so there’s nothing to lose in trying one.

Even better: try them all and see which one works best for your scalp and hair type, then recommend them to all of your beautiful, eco-friendly friends!

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Let’s face it.

Plastic is ruining our environment. 

Our world has accumulated over 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic since the 1950s. Plastic is not something that just wastes away so quickly either. 

Plastic can take more than 400 years to degrade which is mind-blowing. We all know that almost all of it ends up being trash. 

But think about how plastic has taken over as the main packaging material when shipping products. 

Every package you receive at your door has some type of plastic material inside. 

Our online business EcoRoots wants to get rid of plastic in packaging. 

EcoRoots Zero Waste Packaging 

 

 

EcoRoots contributes to decreasing this plastic epidemic by using zero-waste packaging with eco-friendly materials.

 

All orders shipped by Eco Roots are completely plastic free. 

We use craft paper tape, cardboard, and recycled paper in our packaging. 

We believe in minimalism and we are helping a zero-waste movement by using the best materials that are biodegradable. 

Eco-friendly household items and hygiene products shouldn’t be shipped to you in a material that’s damaging for our planet. 

The products we offer are natural and they benefit us and the environment. 

So why not have our packaging do the same? It’s only right that EcoRoots gets behind the plastic-free cause.

Plastic is the number one problem with waste, and it will only continue to be a problem if businesses continue to use this type of packaging.

Even though eco-friendly packaging costs are more reasonable than plastic and other materials. Manufacturers continue to create more and more plastic each year. Landfills are piling up at a rapid rate.

In about 30 years we can possibly accumulate over 12 billion tons of plastic in our landfills. Even worse about half of it gets there within the first year of being used.  Our oceans are suffering just like our lands. 

An estimated 8 million metric tons will end up in the oceans annually. Ocean animals are dying constantly from plastic waste despite ocean rescue and cleanup efforts.

The fact that oceans and landfills are being overwhelmed by plastic really shows how much is being made and wasted.

Cutting plastic out of packaging can make a difference in the amount of plastic we use and quickly waste.

Therefore, doing this can cut down the amount that is manufactured every year.

That’s why EcoRoots uses craft paper tape, cardboard, and recycled paper as our go-to materials for packaging. 

 

However, we’ll keep it simple with our chosen biodegradable materials.

Types of zero waste packaging materials

Craft paper tape will decrease the amount of plastic packaging that ends up in landfills simply because it’s made from recyclable paper

Package theft or tampering happens when shipping materials too. 

Craft paper tape helps protect your package contents from the strong bond the tape has with the package itself. You cannot open a package sealed with craft paper tape without altering the appearance of where you take the tape off. 

 

If it’s on cardboard it will be small tears of where the tape was removed.

Craft paper tape makes it easy to detect if a package has been tampered with. Its strength and durability mean that less tape is used to seal a package. Meaning that less tape can be used overall in shipping. 

This tape benefits us as a business but more so you as a customer. Consider craft paper tape as extra protection on your package when ordering from us.

 

Since craft paper tape is made from recycled paper, we use it in other parts of the packaging.

There is a lot of recyclable paper around so why not use it to pack items instead of piling up in landfills? 

 

Paper is the easiest to recycle and is one of the most recycled products we waste. Paper still ends up in landfills taking up a large portion of the area. 

Therefore, recycled paper packaging must continue and become the norm in businesses.

Packing molds can be created from just newspaper and water.  Nothing gets simpler than that. 

Finally, cardboard is very suitable for packaging while being biodegradable, recyclable, and sustainable. 

There are amazing benefits to the environment from simply recycling the cardboard we use on Earth. 

Can you believe that recycling just one ton of cardboard can save 9 cubic yards in a landfill, 7000 gallons of water, 46 gallons of oil, 17 trees, and 4000kW of electricity? 

That’s incredible!

The United Kingdom saves 2 million tons of cardboard from ending up in their landfills every year. 

They have the highest recyclable rate for cardboard in the world.

We feel everyone needs to follow suit and recycle cardboard to achieve the same milestones. 

 

 

Eliminating plastic in packaging is even economically important. 

Waste from plastic packaging causes a worldwide $80-120 billion-dollar loss annually according to the World Economic Forum. 

We all know the money of that amount can be used in so many other ways.  Instead, it’s being wasted because the world can’t seem to get enough of plastic. 

The production of plastic doubles every 15 years and that needs to decrease to help the zero-waste movement.

Nonetheless, if we can at least continue to keep recycling materials to replace plastic packaging we can still make a difference.

EcoRoots uses craft paper tape, cardboard, and recycled paper to make a difference in packaging. 

We make it our mission to ship every package with completely plastic-free materials to save the planet. 

Visit our website and see what natural products can be sent to you in an eco-friendliest way. 

 

Let’s rid ourselves of the plastic materials as they continue to damage our planet each year. 

Support the zero-waste movement with EcoRoots to continue to make an impact on plastic pollution.

 

 

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Hi!

I’m guessing you’ve found your way here because you have some questions about bamboo utensils!

 

If I had to guess, I would say that you are one of the millions of kind-hearted people who worries about your environmental impact, and you are looking for ways to reduce plastic waste. Fantastic, and welcome!

 

 

You have definitely found the right place - I am going to answer every question you have about bamboo utensils (and probably some that you didn’t even know that you had!)

 

Ok - are you ready?

 

Let’s get started!

 

First, let’s take a look at why it’s important to use a different type of utensil. Most of us are very familiar with plastic to-go cutlery - probably too familiar, we would say!

Did you know that 6 million tons of non-durable plastics are dumped every year in the United States alone?

 

 

Non-durable means that this isn’t the sturdy stuff that is made to be reused for decades, but those flimsy spoons that come with your takeout, the containers themselves, bags - even some clothing!

While 300 million tons of plastic is put into circulation every year, 85% of that plastic is not recycled.

 

 

What goes to the landfill rarely stays there - as much as 80% of trash in the ocean got there from the land, and 90% of that is plastic.

I know - these are not nice statistics to read. It’s tough to know that this is happening - but if each person cuts down or eliminates their plastic consumption, then we would be well on our way to solving this problem!

 

 

Perhaps you have heard of the zero waste movement. You might even be a proud member of it (and if so, good job! We’re proud of you!)

This is a fast-growing group of people who are doing everything in their power to create absolutely zero waste - no packaging, no plastics, nothing.

You might have seen some of them on YouTube, showing that they could fit their entire year’s trash in one 16-ounce jar.

This type of living can certainly help put a dent in the amount of plastics in the world by making sure it doesn’t exist in the first place. It’s a mix of personal responsibility and voting with your dollars.

We’re a part of that movement. We create solutions with little or no waste so that consumers - you - can find products that you need without creating more plastic waste in the world!

 

One of the best ways to do that is to use bamboo to replace plastic.

Bamboo has emerged as a sort of wonder solution to a whole mess of problems caused by plastics and other non-biodegradable materials.

This rapidly growing grass (yes, it really is a type of grass!) can grow as much as five feet a year, reaching maturity between 3 and 5 years.

 

 

Compare that to wood - it takes almost 30 years for a tree to reach maturity before it is harvested.

You could harvest bamboo between 6 and 10 times in that time span! It releases 35% more oxygen than the same amount of trees, helps prevent soil erosion and is a carbon neutral plant.

It also can be used to create anything from diapers to clothing to bridges to fuel to cutlery!

 

 

That’s right - bamboo cutlery, and at Eco Roots, we just happen to have the most darling bamboo cutlery set out there.

A fork, spoon, knife, chopsticks and straw, all with a handy roll to keep them safe. It’s a perfect alternative to plastic cutlery!

You shouldn’t have to give up aesthetics to help make the world a better place - so we make sure our products are both cute and great for the planet!

 

 

Where can I use bamboo cutlery?

If you’re wondering where you can use bamboo flatware, the answer really is ‘Where can’t you?’

Bamboo utensils can be used for almost everything - are you having a dinner party for 6 but only have utensils for 4?

Are you going on a road trip, and don’t know where you’ll be stopping on the way and want to make sure you don’t have to use plastic?

Perhaps the family is organizing a camping weekend, and you know you’re going to have to have some utensils for Aunt Tallulah’s famous 7 layer dip!

 

 

You never really know what situations are going to come up during the day, so you could put a pack of bamboo travel utensils in your backpack, purse or car and just leave them there, just like you do with reusable shopping bags or that handy umbrella - just in case you need them!

 

 

Are bamboo utensils reusable?

They sure are! These handy tools will be by your side for the long run - provided that you care for them in the right way.

Is bamboo cutlery safe?

It is! Bamboo cutlery is nontoxic, and exactly as safe as metal cutlery - as long as you make sure to keep them clean.

Is bamboo flatware sanitary?

It’s more than sanitary - did you know that bamboo is naturally antibacterial?

This means that your bamboo utensils are actively working to keep you healthier!

Is bamboo cutlery dishwasher safe?

 

 

Bamboo cutlery is not dishwasher safe, so you’ll have to hand wash them, ideally just after using them.

How do I care for bamboo cutlery?

As we mentioned just above, you’ll have to hand wash your cutlery. It’s not great to leave them dirty for any amount of time, and you’ll also want to avoid letting them soak in water.

That’ll reduce their lifetime.

Hand wash and then leave to dry completely, and you’ll be using these guys for a good long while.

Will my bamboo cutlery get stained or warped?

Bamboo is both heat, water, and stain resistant! You’re not going to have to worry about your utensils changing shape or turning yellow from that yummy curry last night.

Can I recycle bamboo utensils?

 

 

You sure can! Once your utensils have reached the end of their lifespan, you simply compost them.

How long does bamboo cutlery take to decompose?

Although it depends on the exact conditions, most bamboo cutlery decomposes completely in less than 3 months. How cool is that?

How does using bamboo cutlery reduce waste in the long run?

There are actually a few ways that using bamboo utensils reduces waste.

 

 

The first is perhaps the most obvious - if you’re using bamboo cutlery, you’re not using (and then throwing away) plastics! That is one less fork, knife or spoon that will make its way into the ocean.

Being able to say ‘No thank you, I have my own cutlery’ is an amazing way to make sure that you, as a consumer, are not adding to the plastic problem.

 

 

The second is that, by showing that there is a demand for reusable and eco-friendly products, you are helping send a message to big corporations. They say that voting with your dollars is one of the ways to make change happen - and we agree! It’s certainly not the only way to make a change, but it’s one thing that you can consistently do every day to show where your priorities are. And big companies will listen, once there are enough people saying the same thing!

 

By rejecting plastics, especially in packaging, in single-use forms, and in non-durable forms, you are sending a clear message to these companies: ‘I do not want plastic in my life!’ - and we think that they are beginning to listen. From straw bans to bag bans, we’re seeing a real reduction in these type of products. It’s slow, incremental change, but it is change nonetheless, and we’re excited to be leading a part of that!

 

 

The third way is that using bamboo itself is really helping to reduce waste. Instead of using metal or wood, using bamboo is the absolute most eco-friendly material that is being produced at the moment. Bamboo, being a grass, doesn’t need to be replanted. It is harvested and then new shoots come up from the roots left in the ground. It doesn’t require fertilizers or pesticides and doesn’t need irrigation either. The amount of waste that is involved in planting and caring for trees that are then harvested some 30 years later to make wooden utensils is astonishing - and is something that just doesn’t get created when growing bamboo.

Where can I buy bamboo utensils?

Now that you know all the great reasons that you should buy bamboo utensils, the question becomes ‘Where should I buy bamboo cutlery?’ Well - from Eco Roots!

 

 

Eco Roots is a company founded and run from Colorado by a couple - and it all started when we discovered how much plastic waste was happening each year.

Dismayed by the idea of what humans are doing to the earth, we decided to make a business selling plastic free and zero waste products.

That’s right - everything that we as a company make puts ZERO plastic into the world.

We at Eco Roots believe that you should not have to give up aesthetics when you decide to go green, so the products all are both adorable and eco-friendly.

 

The bamboo utensil kit is a great example of being both cute and good for the earth.

A handy little roll-up set, it has a knife, fork, spoon, chopsticks, and your own bamboo straw - a detail you will just love!

The roll keeps the cutlery nice and safe without taking up a ton of room in your bag.

 

 

Buying bamboo utensils is a great way to make a positive impact, but make sure that you buy from a company that shares your values!

If you’re trying to vote with your dollars but purchase from a company that promotes wasteful packaging or products, you won’t be able to make as big of a difference.

Small companies like Eco Roots are an ideal place to buy from, not only because you’re getting a cute product and reducing plastic waste, but also because you’re supporting a small business.

 

Well! This should have answered every question you have about bamboo cutlery, as well as a few that you probably didn’t have.

With that, we’ll wish you happy eating - with non-plastic cutlery, of course!

 

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 Did you know that 2 billion disposable razors are thrown away every year?

That’s right, billion with a B.

 

 

It’s an unbelievable amount of waste - and disposable razors, despite being made of plastic, are not recyclable!

So, what is an environmentally conscious babe supposed to do when she wants zero waste shaving?

Should you sacrifice silky smooth legs for the sake of a sea turtle? Should you grow out your hair for the good of the gorillas?

Luckily, you don’t have to! With an eco-friendly safety razor, you can cut out the plastic while looking great.

 

 

Safety razors are the perfect environmentally friendly shaving solution for women who want to make sure that their beauty regime doesn’t hurt the planet, and they just so happen to be cheaper than disposable razors in the long run.

You might have seen your grandpa using one of these guys - before we used plastic for everything, safety razors were the go-to shavers. Your grandma probably used one too!

With one replaceable, and - most importantly - recyclable blade in between two guards, safety razors are a zero waste shaving option that offers a smooth shave that beats even the most multi-bladed disposable.

 

 

EcoRoots offers what is probably the most stylish safety razor - a rose gold cutie with the added bonus of a portion of every sale being donated to the Ocean Conservancy.

 

 

We created EcoRoots when we realized how much plastic waste is produced every year and decided to dedicate ourselves to help reduce it. 

We developed a darling safety razor, designed for women but great for anyone -  especially those with sensitive skin. We also created a line of all natural shaving products, as safety razors are best paired with organic shaving soap, and your skin will certainly thank you for the extra love!

 

 

EcoRoots’ all-natural, vegan shaving soap is a delicious mix of citrus and lavender notes enriched with shea and cocoa butter - a foamy treat for your legs that also helps reduce plastic waste (like all of our products! Swoon!)

How do I use a safety razor?

 

 

One of the reasons that many women avoid safety razors is simply that they don’t know how to use them! That one blade is mighty sharp, but the clue is in the name. Safety razors are indeed safe, but they might take a bit of getting used to.

No worries, though! You already got used to disposables, once upon a time, and you are much smarter and more dexterous now. The big thing to remember is that, because the blade is so much sharper than those dull disposables, you don’t need to apply pressure to the razor.

The vast majority of initial injuries with safety razors are because you just forget you’re using a different tool. Give yourself some time to get used to your new razor - no shaving in a hurry because you hit snooze a few too many times!

 

 

You’ll definitely want to use soap, lather or cream of some sort - no dry shaving here! Once you’ve gotten yourself all bubbly, start shaving.

You’ll want to position your razor at an angle, about 20 to 30 degrees - and you might find this awkward at first, as the go-to with disposables is flat against the skin.

You will get used to it, we promise - you’ll be an expert in no time!

 

So! We’re sure you have some more questions, so let’s get started answering them.

How do you change the blades of a safety razor?

 

 

 This process is as easy as 1, 2, 3:

 

1. Unscrew the head of the razor. There are three pieces to a safety razor, the handle, the plate (the bottom of the head) and the cap (the top of the head). Once you have unscrewed the head from the razor, you’ll be able to separate the cap and the plate.
2. Remove the old blade and put a fresh blade on the plate.
3. Set the cap on top of the plate and blade, and screw the head back onto the handle.

How often should I change my safety razor blades?

You should change your blades every 3 - 5 shaves, which for most people will be about once a week.

If your razor feels like it’s dragging across your skin, then you definitely need a new blade.

Don’t try and stretch out the blades for longer than this - you’ll end up with razor burn, bumps, and probably a few cuts!

How do I recycle safety razor blades?

 

 

Safety razor blades are recyclable, but you can’t just throw them in with your tin cans and plastics.

Because they are sharp, and because of their function, they are considered hazardous.

You can recycle your blades at your local recycling center, where the blades will go into the stainless steel recycling. Calling your local recycling center is a great idea to find out the exact process.

What many people do is make themselves a little "razor bank".

Go to a thrift store and find yourself a cute metal piggy bank and use that as your storage container!

It will take a good long while to fill up, keep your blades from harming anyone, and then you can drop the whole kit n’ caboodle into the recycling once it’s full.

No fuss, no muss!

Can I travel on a plane with a safety razor?

 

 

If you’re traveling with your safety razor, you’re going to need to pack it in your checked luggage.

As the blades are removable, they are considered a weapon by the TSA, and not allowed in your carry-on bag.

Why should you use a safety razor?

 

 

So, why should you use a safety razor? Well, we’ve already covered one of the most obvious answers - to help save the planet!

Climate change is no joke, and every person needs to adjust the way they live to help reverse the effects of it. One of the best ways to do that is to consume thoughtfully.

That’s not the only reason, though! Safety razors will cost you FAR less than disposable razors in the long run.

 

 

Sure, the initial cost is a little more, but once you invest in a well-made (and stylish!) safety razor, the blades will only cost you 30 cents each.

Consider how much each disposable razor costs you - usually 2 to 4 dollars - those savings will add up so quickly!

Can safety razors prevent razor burn and razor bumps?

 

 

They sure can! One of the great things about safety razors is that they deliver a smoother shave than those multi-blade disposables!

 

How?

 

It’s simple - those disposable guys are chock-full of gimmicks like 7 blades and 5 moisturizing strips, but they aren’t really necessary.

They are just fancy extras to get you to buy their product. In fact, multiple blades do more harm than good.

The first blade lifts up the hair, the second one cuts it, and then the others drag over your skin, cutting the hair deeper than it should be cut - a complete recipe for ingrown hairs!

 

Ingrown hairs, also known as razor bumps, happen when hair gets cut in such a way that it grows back into the skin.

The hairs curl inwards, going into the skin and irritating the follicle, causing a red bump and painful irritation.

Safety razors cut the hair once, close to the skin (but not too close!) and don’t leave you vulnerable to those annoying bumps.

Razor burn is a common problem too - the temporary irritation that comes from shaving and can exacerbate razor bumps. These tips will, of course, help with that too!

 

The best way to avoid both razor bumps and razor burn is to follow these simple steps:

 

 

• Shave at the end of your shower. You want your follicles to be nice, warm and open.
• Exfoliate your skin before you shave. By getting rid of all the dead skin, you’re also helping lift up all of the hair! None of those little buddies are going to get trapped under your dead skin.
• Change your blade often! You want to have a clean, sharp blade on your razor at all times. Remember - change your blade every 3 to 5 shaves.
• Never dry shave! This is seriously so important. You need that rich lathery goodness to help the razor glide across your skin! It will also leave you moisturized and smelling fantastic - especially if you’re using Eco Roots shaving soap.
• Always shave WITH the grain! We know - it seems counterintuitive to shave that way, and most people tend to shave against the grain, but the right way really is with the grain. Give it a try for the next few times and we promise, you’ll feel the difference!
• After you shave, let your skin breathe. Especially the bikini area - wear loose-fitting underwear to give your goods some space. Tight undies will irritate that most sensitive of places.

 

Why EcoRoots safety razor might be a good match for you? 

 

 

At EcoRoots, we are dedicated to bringing beautiful products to you that you can feel good about using.

That’s why we make sure that our products are plastic free, and every bit of packaging is either recyclable or up-cycleable.

These are just a couple of ways that we are trying to make a difference. We also donate a portion of every sale to the Ocean Conservancy.

It’s our small way of making sure that we put a bit of good out into the world every time someone buys our products.

 

 

We don’t believe that you should have to sacrifice anything to be a more thoughtful and ethical consumer.

In fact, we want to make sure we bring you products that are even better than the ones we’re replacing.

Our safety razor will give you a better shave than any disposable, and our shaving soap is made from ethically sourced, vegan ingredients.

As we go through this life, we strive to leave everything a little better than we found it - including the concept of shaving!

 

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