How to Dispose of Double Edge Razor Blades

You have gotten the wet shaving bug, and invested in a cool Merkur razor and a pack or two of blades.

You’re enjoying your first couple of great shaves and then the thought occurs: I have a toddler in the house who likes to rummage the trash. What am I going to do with the used blades?

Years ago, blade manufacturers gave away ‘blade banks’ as promotional gimmicks. These were sealed metal cans or boxes with a small slit in the top for blades to go into. Of course they had some advertising graphics on the outside. There is actually a lively market for old blade banks, do a search and check some out. A lot of them are pretty creative.

You can buy one of these to use, or, you can take the idea and make your own. Any soup can or old large pill bottle will do. Make sure it’s secure, cut a narrow slit in the top (you don’t want blades shaking back out) and voila! A safe blade bank. You can get creative with it as well, if you don’t want to see the ‘Progresso’ label every morning.

Another useful disposal method might be in your house right now, and you never noticed it. I know I didn’t until I learned what to look for. In the back wall of your medicine cabinet, there just might be a narrow opening… just about right to poke a double-edge blade through. Those old folks were clever! Use the space behind the bathroom wall to store old blades!

Of course, if any renovation is done in that room you as well as the contractor want to look out. Old houses have been known to be hiding quite a stash of blades behind the wall. Contractors who have been around are aware of the danger, they’re ready for a flood of old razor blades to rush out when they pull down that section.