Disposable Razor (pack of 5)

Material Composition Assumptions

A typical five-pack of disposable razors contains multiple material components that contribute to its overall carbon footprint. The plastic handles constructed from polypropylene or polycarbonate comprise approximately 15 grams per razor, representing roughly 60% of each unit’s total weight. Stainless steel blades account for approximately 3 grams per razor, constituting about 12% of the material mass but carrying significant embodied carbon due to energy-intensive steel production processes.

Additional components include rubber grip sections weighing approximately 2 grams per unit, moisture strips made from polyethylene adding another gram per razor, and packaging materials consisting of cardboard backing and plastic outer wrapping totaling approximately 4 grams per five-pack. The complete package weighs approximately 125 grams, with plastic materials representing the largest portion by mass followed by steel components.

Manufacturing Geography

Primary manufacturing occurs across three major regions where leading disposable razor producers operate large-scale facilities. French production facilities benefit from relatively low-carbon electricity grids dominated by nuclear power generation, resulting in reduced manufacturing emissions compared to fossil fuel-dependent regions. United States manufacturing relies on regional grid electricity with varying carbon intensities depending on facility location, while Brazilian operations utilize a mix of hydroelectric and fossil fuel-powered electricity.

The multi-regional production strategy reflects market proximity considerations and labor cost optimization, with each facility serving specific geographic markets to minimize transportation distances. French facilities primarily serve European markets, while American and Brazilian plants supply North and South American regions respectively.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
France	0.416 kgCO2e/kWh	42	-12.5%
United States (average)	0.855 kgCO2e/kWh	48	0%
Brazil	0.745 kgCO2e/kWh	45	-6.3%
China (hypothetical)	1.02 kgCO2e/kWh	54	+12.5%
Germany	0.485 kgCO2e/kWh	43	-10.4%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Factory-specific electricity consumption data measured in kWh per thousand units produced, including documentation of renewable energy procurement agreements or on-site generation facilities.

2. Detailed material sourcing documentation specifying plastic resin suppliers, steel grade specifications, and transportation distances from raw material suppliers to manufacturing facilities.

3. Production efficiency metrics including waste rates, energy recovery systems, and manufacturing yield percentages that demonstrate optimized resource utilization.

4. Transportation and logistics data covering shipping methods, distances, and consolidation factors from manufacturing facilities to regional distribution centers.

5. End-of-life management programs including take-back initiatives, recycling partnerships, or alternative disposal methods that reduce landfill burden.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-grave carbon emissions for one five-pack unit including manufacturing, transportation, and end-of-life disposal phases.

• Scope 3 emissions dominate the carbon footprint due to energy-intensive plastic and steel production processes occurring upstream from final assembly operations.

• Functional unit assumes typical usage patterns where each razor provides six to ten shaves before disposal, representing approximately two months of daily shaving for an average consumer.

• The assessment excludes packaging disposal impacts beyond landfill methane emissions and does not account for potential recycling scenarios due to current infrastructure limitations.

• Data gaps include regional variations in steel production methods and transportation mode splits, which could significantly influence total emissions depending on specific supply chain configurations.