What it is
The LastSwab is a reusable alternative to cotton swabs (Q-tips). It features flexible silicone tips on a nylon stem, housed in a carrying case made from ocean-bound plastic. Available in two variants: Basic (for ear cleaning) and Beauty (for makeup application). Each LastSwab replaces approximately 1,000 single-use cotton swabs. The tips are washable with soap and water.
Why we picked this
Cotton swabs are one of the most common items found in ocean and beach cleanups, and they cannot be recycled because they mix materials (plastic stem, cotton tip, adhesive). The LastSwab replaces roughly 1,000 of them with a single reusable item. The silicone tips actually work better than cotton for precision tasks: they do not shed fibers, they maintain their shape, and they are easier to clean between uses. The carrying case means it travels without getting dirty.
Key takeaways
- Each LastSwab replaces approximately 1,000 single-use cotton swabs, preventing roughly 0.5 kg of mixed-material waste that cannot be recycled.
- Cotton swabs consistently rank in the top 10 items found during beach and ocean cleanups, with an estimated 1.5 billion entering the ocean annually.
- The carrying case is made from certified ocean-bound plastic (collected within 50km of coastlines), addressing both the waste and the material sourcing problem.