With November being the month when Canadian men grow or cultivate moustaches to raise awareness of prostate cancer ElectroReycle B.C. is encouraging razor recycling.
ElectroRecycle, B.C.’s small appliance and power tool recycling program, is donating $5 to Movember for every electric and rechargeable razor, beard trimmer, and shaver collected during the month of November, up to a maximum of $10,000.
Approximately 1,000 electric razors and trimmers are collected by ElectroRecycle each month – an estimated 18,900 to date, or 22,500 kg.
With the $10,000 goal in mind, the program is hoping to double the monthly collection rate for November. More recycling means “Mo” money for cancer research and awareness.
“We hate to see a month’s worth of growing get wiped away with a dull, rusty or slow razor,” said Julie Robertson, program coordinator at ElectroRecycle. “Recycling old and broken razors is helping cancer research and awareness, the environment and your upper lip. It’s a mo-brainer.”
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer to afflict men in Canada with approximately 23,600 men diagnosed annually. One in seven males will suffer from this form of cancer in their lifetime. It is the third most common cause of cancer death in Canadian men. However, if detected and treated early, there is a 95 per cent survival rate.
Movember is a global charity and movement that seeks to combat prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges. In 2012, more than 247,000 Canadians participated in Movember, raising $42.6 million.
“ElectroRecycle encourages British Columbians to make a positive impact on the environment by taking simple actions to reduce their waste,” said Laura Selanders, president of the Canadian Electrical Stewardship Association (CESA), the agency operating ElectroRecycle. “This is one example of how people can support recycling while also helping a cause that is so important both locally and globally.”