May 27, 2026
Four Ways to Make Your Personal Care Routine More Sustainable
By Joshua Menard
You may already know recycling and upcycling, but what about precycling?
Precycling is the habit of avoiding products that use up more plastic than necessary; it’s basically opting for the product that will require the least energy for recycling.
In our personal care routines, there are a lot of disposable things that don’t actually have to be single use. We want to show you how to integrate precycling in your morning and evening rituals.
1. Safety Razors
If you are like me, you shave every two or three days. One day I wondered just how big of a mountain I could make if I piled up every disposable cartridge or cheap, plastic single use razors I used over time. So, I switched to a stainless-steel handle and got myself packages of blades.
Metal razor blades are recyclable, and they’re a whole lot less polluting than a whole plastic package. Over time, I’ve also shaved a few dollars off my shaving utilities. But be warned: they put the razor in razor-sharp, so it might be a messy learning curve.
Photo by Sandi Benedicta on Unsplash
2. Reusable Toothbrushes
The toothbrush dentists usually give you is a big plastic handle with thistles and a bit of rubber around the grip. Once, they are done, you throw them out, and they end up in landfills.
So, the best thing you can do is purchase a toothbrush with a reusable handle, to minimize the amount you throw out when the brush gets flat. In fact, there’s a Canadian company that sells stainless steel handles with replacement plastic brush heads that can be sent back for recycling after use.
3. Soap Refills
The soap nozzle that stands next to the tap is a loyal friend. No matter where I go - in restaurants, homes, and shops - I always see it there, waiting patiently for people to whack its head, so that it may give soap. But those nifty contraptions use up a bit more plastic than we’d like.
We recommend opting for refills such as Green Beaver’s Lavender and Mint Foaming Hand Soap Refills, instead of buying a whole new dispenser each time. This is not only precycling, but it also helps you save more.
4. Deodorant/Antiperspirant Refills
If you love our antiperspirants, we recommend you try our KIIMA refills, our partner in precycling non-crime. Available in pharmacies and retail grocers, KIIMA’s refillable applicators allow you to extend the lifespan of your deodorant or antiperspirant tube.
While we do use recycled plastic and work hard to reduce our plastic consumption at Green Beaver, the best plastic use is responsible plastic use. So, try the refill: plop in your deodorant, and you’re good to go.
Photo courtesy of KIIMA
Precycling isn’t about perfection; it’s about making better choices daily. By swapping everyday personal care products for reusable or less wasteful alternatives, you’ll make your routine a little more sustainable and perhaps even save some money. Though these choices may seem small, if thousands of people do the same, the collective impact can create tangible change and help preserve our beloved planet for generations to come.
