SeeingGreen ™

Every year around springtime, I perform a ceremonial ritual involving my legs and a razor. No, it’s not a reenactment of a turn your stomach horror movie, but instead a peaceful moment in the bath when I rid myself of winter’s hirsuteness. But yesterday in the grocery store when faced with making a razor selection, a dilemma arose that only you, my dear readers may understand.

On my right was a 12-pack of generic brand razors for $2.79. Nothing fancy about these: just a single blade, barely a handle and little in the charm department. On my left was a 4-pack of razors with stout and colorful handles made from yogurt container lids that ultimately could be recycled again by sending it back to the company in the enclosed envelope. The price for this package was $6.49 (on sale from $6.99). An added bonus to these was that you could also buy 5 replacement blades for $4.95.

If anyone were watching me stand there in front of the razors, they would have thought I was having a low blood sugar moment or that I was potentially waiting to receive a message from outer space. I was paralyzed as I made a mental list of the pros and cons of each selection. The cheap razors were, well cheap, and were so light that I imagine they consumed less transportation energy to get from factory to store. Sure it will last a million years in the landfill, but I won’t use even more petrol or electricity sending it to the factory to be re-processed again. On the other hand, the more expensive “eco” brand does have the option for replacing the blades, but then why are they selling me 4 razors, instead of just one and some extra blades? My final challenge also came down to price. Was I willing to pay $1.60 a piece for the “eco” option or less than $.25 for the disposable version?

I realize now that this conundrum could apply to a lot of scenarios. Should I vote with my dollars? Is the opportunity to recycle a product more environmentally friendly? What about the do-nothing option (meaning should I give in and celebrate my own plumage)? You see where I am going with all this and frankly I don’t pretend to have an answer, or, as of this morning, a razor.