More sustainability

FOR SHAVING, HAIRSTYLING AND MORE!

Sustainability is playing an increasingly crucial role for more and more men when choosing products. But how can men reduce their environmental footprint? Master barber Anthony reveals how everyone can help reduce the environmental impact of shaving, styling and personal care.

Hybrid and electric cars are a common sight near the Eric:Barbier salons on Ballindamm and in HafenCity. These innovative vehicles are perhaps the most visible sign that things are changing and that many people are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious in their daily lives. But it doesn’t have to be a new car straight away – even small steps can have a big impact on your own carbon footprint. Many men are realising that this also includes their behaviour in front of the bathroom mirror, as master barber Anthony explains: “More and more customers are specifically asking us for sustainable products.”

The sustainable shave

Whilst we live in an age of mass production of disposable razors and razor cartridge systems, these products, with their limited lifespan, generate a not inconsiderable amount of waste. In Germany alone, residual waste amounts to 157 kilograms per person per year – and every resident of Hamburg accumulates 57 kilograms of packaging material. To tackle this mountain of waste, it’s worth taking a look back at the past: “The most environmentally friendly shave is still the classic and stylish one with a straight razor,” says Anthony.

A high-quality blade can be sharpened time and again and therefore used for years. Freshly whipped shaving foam also offers an alternative to ready-made products in spray cans, where nitrogen is often used to propel the shaving aid out at high pressure. Anthony advises paying attention not only to the packaging but also to the ingredients, and aims to lead by example in promoting greater sustainability. The sandalwood shaving soap from Eric:Barbier consists exclusively of natural ingredients. “I’ve noticed that far more people appreciate these high-quality ingredients than they did a few years ago,” he explains.

Natural ingredients and sustainable materials

The steps involved in a classic shave can also be carried out without synthetic ingredients: Eric:Barbier’s beard oil and aftershave rely on natural oils rather than cheap substitutes, which are more likely to irritate the skin and cause rashes. When developing the collection, the team therefore placed great emphasis on ingredients that are as gentle as possible whilst also being suitable for people with allergies, in order to offer men with sensitive skin an alternative to what was previously available.

“Originally, it was my idea to offer our customers refill stations for beard oil and aftershave in the salons – unfortunately, this is not permitted for health and safety reasons,” says the master barber. Sustainability was also a key consideration when selecting the materials for the bottles: the containers are not made of PET or glass, which require high energy consumption during production. Instead, Eric:Barbier opts for recyclable bottles that are given a new purpose after use. These principles are also evident in the grooming products such as beard shampoo, body wash and shampoo.

Eco-friendly styling

The sustainable influence doesn’t stop at shaving and personal care. The styling range, which includes hair wax in various hold levels and beard wax, features another natural ingredient: locally sourced beeswax. “As it is a natural product, the wax may change slightly in shine and texture,” explains Anthony, who sees this as an advantage: “This way, our customers can be sure that it is a naturally sourced product. A synthetic wax would always be exactly the same.”

Would you like to shave in a more eco-friendly way, but don’t own a straight razor? Then a safety razor is a safer alternative for greater sustainability – here we reveal what you need to look out for when buying and using one!