Japanese brand Kai has designed a plastic-free disposable razor made from paper and informed by origami and milk cartons.

Knife and disposable razor manufacturer Kai has developed what it claims is the world's first paper, disposable razor as a response to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.

"Inspired by the plastic-free Sustainable Development Goals concepts, we are commercialising the world's first 'Paper Razor'," said Kai.

The plastic-free razor's head and blade are made from metal, while the handle is constructed using water-resistant card stock that allows it to be used while wet.

"Paper Razor aims to transform the razor into a plastic-free item and reduce plastic emissions," Kai told Dezeen.

"We adopted paper for the handle and metal for the blade and head. It is made of 98 per cent paper and two per cent paint. Only the blade part, including the entire head, is made of metal."

Kai referenced origami and the water-resistant characteristics of disposable paper spoons and milk cartons when designing and developing the concept for Paper Razor.

It has a lightweight, flatpack design that needs to be folded to create the blade's handle and is held together by a small piece of tape that is used as a protective covering on the blade.

"We learned from a paper spoon about the design and how to make a product out of paper," Kai said.

"Also, Origami, a traditional Japanese culture, inspired us to develop Paper Razor," it continued.

"Rather than simply replacing plastic with paper, we designed the handle to be just as easy to hold and as sharp as a plastic razor."

The product is available in a range of colour and is set to launch to the public to coincide with Earth Day on 22 April.

Other products that have been designed with sustainability in mind include these postage stamps made using algae from Venice's canals as well as this skincare line that is made from discarded fruit.