Going Zero Waste

lastswab vs cotton buds
LastSwab vs Cotton Buds: An Honest Comparison (UK)
LastSwab is a silicone-tipped, reusable cotton bud that lasts for up to 1,000 uses. Standard cotton buds — whether paper-stemmed or the older plastic variety — are used once and... Les mer …
uk cotton bud plastic ban
The UK Plastic Cotton Bud Ban: What Changed, What Didn't, and What's Next
On 1 October 2020, England became one of the first countries to ban the sale of plastic-stemmed cotton buds. Scotland had already acted in June 2019, and Wales followed in... Les mer …
cotton bud alternatives uk
Cotton Bud Alternatives: What Actually Works (UK Guide)
Since England banned plastic-stemmed cotton buds in 2020, and with growing awareness of single-use waste, more people in the UK are looking for cotton bud alternatives. The good news: there... Les mer …
reusable cotton buds guide
Reusable Cotton Buds: The Complete UK Guide
The average person in the UK uses around 415 cotton buds per year. Most end up in landfill — or worse, flushed down the toilet and into coastal waterways, where... Les mer …
best reusable makeup remover pads
The Best Reusable Makeup Remover Pads: What to Look For (and What We Use)
The market for reusable makeup remover pads has expanded significantly in the last few years. That's a good thing — but it also means there's more variation in quality. Some... Les mer …
how many uses do reusable makeup pads last
How Many Uses Do Reusable Makeup Pads Last? The Real Numbers
When people switch to reusable makeup remover pads, one of the first questions they ask is: how long do they actually last? The honest answer depends on the material, how... Les mer …
reusable vs disposable makeup remover pads
Reusable vs Disposable Makeup Remover Pads: An Honest Comparison
Reusable makeup remover pads have one obvious claim: they're better for the environment. But before you make any swap to your skincare routine, the real question is whether they perform... Les mer …
are reusable makeup pads hygienic
Are Reusable Makeup Pads Hygienic? The Honest Answer
The most common objection to reusable makeup pads is also the most understandable: "Won't they just spread bacteria back onto my face?" It's a fair question. But the short answer... Les mer …
how to clean reusable makeup pads
How to Clean Reusable Makeup Pads (And Make Them Last)
Reusable makeup remover pads are one of the easiest sustainable swaps you can make — but only if they stay clean. A poorly cared-for pad can harbour product buildup, become... Les mer …
Are Reusable Cotton Swabs Worth It?
Are Reusable Cotton Swabs Worth It? An Honest Answer
Reusable cotton swabs work as well as disposables for cosmetic tasks, cost less over time, and have a measurably lower environmental impact. Here is the evidence. Les mer …
Complete Guide to Reusable Cotton Swabs
The Complete Guide to Reusable Cotton Swabs (2026)
Everything you need to know about reusable cotton swabs: how they work, how they compare to Q-Tips and Amazon Basics, what the EU ban means, and whether the switch is... Les mer …
The Complete Guide to Reusable Cotton Rounds
Everything You Need to Know About Switching to Reusable Cotton Rounds If you use toner, micellar water, or makeup remover, you use cotton rounds. And if you use cotton rounds daily, you throw away over 700 of them per year. This guide covers everything: what reusable cotton rounds are, how they compare to disposables, which types are available, how to care for them, and which is right for you. What Are Reusable Cotton Rounds? Reusable cotton rounds are washable alternatives to disposable cotton pads. They are made from organic cotton,... Les mer …
The Complete Guide to Reusable Tissues
The Definitive Guide to Switching from Disposable to Reusable Tissues Tissues are one of the last unconsidered disposables in most zero-waste bathrooms. This guide covers everything: what reusable tissues are, how they compare to disposables, the different types available, care instructions, and how to choose the right option for you. What Are Reusable Tissues? Reusable tissues are washable alternatives to single-use facial tissues. Instead of pulling a paper tissue from a box, using it for seconds, and discarding it, you use a small cloth — typically organic cotton or bamboo... Les mer …
Why We Created LastSwab
Why We Created LastSwab
LastSwab started with a simple question: why does something used for 30 seconds need to be thrown away? The story of how we built a reusable cotton swab — and... Les mer …
EU Cotton Pad Regulations and the Shift to Sustainable Alternatives
How European Regulation Is Reshaping the Cotton Pad Market European environmental regulation has increasingly targeted single-use items, and cotton pads — despite being a relatively small product category — are directly in scope. Here is a practical overview of what regulations exist, what's coming, and what it means for consumers and brands. The EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (2019/904) The EU Single-Use Plastics Directive was adopted in 2019 and came into force across member states in July 2021. Its primary mechanism is a ban on specific single-use plastic items — those... Les mer …
8 Everyday Situations Where Reusable Tissues Outperform Disposables
When Reusable Actually Wins on Performance Most reusable alternatives to disposables involve some compromise on convenience. Reusable tissues are one of the exceptions — there are specific situations where cloth outperforms paper, not just environmentally, but in the actual experience of using it. Here are eight of them. 1. The Prolonged Winter Cold Three days into a heavy cold, your nose is raw, chapped, and sensitive. This is exactly when most people reach for Kleenex Balsam with added aloe and wish they could find something gentler. Cotton jersey does not... Les mer …
Why We Created LastRound
The Cotton Round Nobody Thought About When we launched LastSwab in 2019, the response surprised us. People hadn't thought much about cotton buds — they were just part of the routine. But when asked to imagine how many they had thrown away over their lifetime, the number landed differently. That shift in perspective — from individual habit to cumulative impact — is what LastObject is built on. After LastSwab, we started looking at what else was sitting in the bathroom cabinet, used daily and discarded without thought. Cotton rounds were... Les mer …
LastSwab vs Q-Tips: An Honest Comparison
LastSwab vs Q-Tips: An Honest Comparison
Q-Tips invented the cotton swab category. LastSwab was designed to replace it. Here is a direct, honest comparison across performance, cost, health, and environmental impact. Les mer …
Why We Created LastTissue
A Box of Kleenex Isn't a Single Piece of Plastic Most people, when they think about plastic-free living, think about bottles, bags, and straws. A box of tissues doesn't obviously register as a problem. It's paper, after all. But a standard tissue box contains a plastic film window, a plastic opening tab, and in most cases the tissues themselves contain polyester fibres. None of it is recyclable once used. When we started mapping the disposable products in the average bathroom, tissues appeared consistently in the top five by volume. And... Les mer …
LastRound vs Face Halo: Which Reusable Makeup Remover Wins?
Two Different Solutions to the Same Problem Both LastRound and Face Halo are reusable skincare tools designed to reduce disposable cotton pad waste. But they take meaningfully different approaches — different materials, different use cases, and different ideal users. Here is an honest comparison. Face Halo: The Microfibre Approach Face Halo launched in Australia in 2017 and built its brand around a single insight: microfibre can remove makeup with water alone. The product's weave creates a mechanical cleaning action — tiny fibres lift and trap pigment particles without requiring a... Les mer …
LastSwab vs Amazon Basics
LastSwab vs Amazon Basics Cotton Swabs: Is the Cheapest Option Actually the Cheapest?
Amazon Basics cotton swabs cost almost nothing per unit. So how does a reusable swab that costs more compare on total cost, waste, and performance over time? Les mer …
Are Cloth Handkerchiefs and Reusable Tissues Hygienic?
The "Gross Factor" Argument, Examined The most common objection to reusable tissues is hygiene — specifically, the idea that putting a used cloth back in your pocket is inherently disgusting or dangerous. This argument was deployed effectively by Kleenex's marketing campaigns in the mid-20th century and persists today, despite limited scientific support. Here is what the evidence actually suggests. The Science of Handkerchief Hygiene Academic research on handkerchief hygiene is surprisingly sparse — it is not a topic that attracts significant research funding. The available studies are mixed but broadly... Les mer …
LastRound vs Generic Reusable Cotton Rounds: What's the Difference?
Not All Reusable Cotton Rounds Are Equal The reusable cotton round category has grown significantly since 2018. What started as a niche sustainable product is now available from discount retailers, fast-fashion brands, and dedicated sustainable brands alike. The price range runs from under £5 for a large pack of generic rounds to £18–£25 for premium options. The difference between them is not always obvious from a product listing — but it becomes apparent after 50 washes. The Generic Category: Pros and Cons Generic reusable cotton rounds — often sold in... Les mer …
EU Plastic Cotton Swab Ban
The EU Plastic Cotton Swab Ban: What It Covers, What It Doesn't, and What Comes Next
The EU banned plastic-stemmed cotton swabs in 2021. The UK followed. Here is exactly what the law says, which products are affected, and why banning plastic stems alone does not... Les mer …
LastTissue vs Kleenex: An Honest Comparison
The World's Most Famous Tissue vs. Its Reusable Alternative Kleenex is so dominant in the tissue category that its name has become generic — in the UK, "Kleenex" is often used to mean any facial tissue, regardless of brand. It is the benchmark against which any alternative is measured. Here is an honest, feature-by-feature comparison. Softness Kleenex: Tissue softness is achieved through a combination of short, fine fibres, embossing, and in premium lines (Ultra Soft, Balsam), added lotion or aloe vera. Kleenex Balsam in particular is designed for raw, irritated... Les mer …
12 Surprising Uses for Cotton Rounds Beyond Skincare
More Than a Makeup Remover Most people think of cotton rounds in one context: removing toner, micellar water, or makeup. But their softness, absorbency, and circular shape make them useful across a surprising range of applications — many of which work just as well with reusable rounds as disposable ones. Beauty and Skincare Beyond the Basics 1. Applying Toner or Essence The classic use. A cotton round absorbs and distributes liquid products evenly across the face without your hands transferring bacteria. For water-based essences and toners, a light-touch application with... Les mer …
Cotton Swab Uses Beyond Ear Cleaning
Cotton Swab Uses Beyond Ear Cleaning (And the Reusable Way to Do All of Them)
Most people use cotton swabs for their ears, but that's not what they're designed for. Here are the tasks cotton swabs actually do well — and how to do them... Les mer …
Tissue Statistics: The Real Cost of Disposable Tissues
The Numbers Behind Your Tissue Habit Tissues feel trivial — each one is used for seconds and costs a fraction of a penny. But the aggregate numbers tell a different story. Here is a data-driven look at tissue consumption, its cost, and the impact of switching to reusables. Individual Consumption 7–10 boxes per household per year in the UK (Mintel household tissue data) 560–1,000 individual tissues per household per year Cold season spike: tissue use roughly doubles during winter months — a single cold episode can use 50–100 tissues in... Les mer …
Cotton Round Statistics: The Numbers Behind Skincare Waste
Putting the Numbers in Context Abstract sustainability arguments are often less compelling than concrete numbers. Here is a data-driven look at cotton round consumption — how many are used, how much they cost, how much waste they generate, and what switching to reusables actually means in measurable terms. Individual Consumption ~730 rounds per year — typical for someone using one round morning and evening ~1,460 rounds per year — for double-cleansing routines or those using rounds for nail polish removal as well ~36,500 rounds over 50 years — the lifetime... Les mer …
Cotton Swab Statistics
Cotton Swab Statistics: The Numbers Behind a Billion-Dollar Throwaway Habit
How many cotton swabs are thrown away every day? How many ear injuries do they cause? The data behind the world's most common single-use personal care item. Les mer …
How Cotton Rounds Are Made: From Farm to Bathroom
What Is Actually in a Cotton Round? Pull a cotton round from the bag and it feels simple — soft, white, circular. But the manufacturing process that creates it, and the materials it contains, vary significantly between disposable and reusable versions. Understanding the difference matters for making an informed choice. Disposable Cotton Rounds: The Manufacturing Process Most disposable cotton rounds are made via a nonwoven textile process — meaning the fibres are bonded together without weaving or knitting. Fibre preparation: Raw cotton is cleaned of seeds, leaves, and debris (a... Les mer …
Reusable Tissues: How LastTissue Is Made
Designing a Better Tissue The design challenge for LastTissue was not primarily the cloth — soft, washable cotton has been used as handkerchief material for centuries. The challenge was the system: how do you carry reusable tissues in daily life without the clean ones becoming contaminated by the used ones? The Two-Chamber Case The silicone case is LastTissue's core innovation. It has two distinct chambers: Clean side: Where fresh, washed tissues are stored, accessible from one opening. Used side: Where used tissues go after use, sealed from the clean side.... Les mer …
How Cotton Swabs Are Made
How Cotton Swabs Are Made — And Why the Process Is Fundamentally Wasteful
From cotton field to landfill, a disposable cotton swab passes through a surprisingly resource-intensive supply chain for something used for 30 seconds. Les mer …
The History of Cotton Rounds in Beauty
From Cotton Wool Rolls to Skincare Staple The cotton round's journey from practical utility item to ubiquitous bathroom staple spans roughly a century — tracing the parallel rise of commercial cosmetics, post-war convenience culture, and eventually the sustainability backlash that has reshaped how we think about everyday products. Before the Cotton Round: Cloths, Flannel, and Cotton Wool For most of human history, skincare application and removal relied on whatever soft fabric was at hand. In European households, small squares of linen or flannel were common for applying cold creams and... Les mer …
The History of the Handkerchief and How Tissues Took Over
Before the Tissue Box For most of recorded history, the cloth handkerchief served every function that disposable tissues serve today. Blowing the nose, wiping tears, dabbing away perspiration, removing cosmetics — all were the province of a small square of woven fabric, carried in a pocket or sleeve, washed, and used again. The Handkerchief as Cultural Object The handkerchief's history stretches back at least to ancient Greece and Rome, where fine linen squares were carried by the wealthy as symbols of refinement. By the European Renaissance, embroidered handkerchiefs had become... Les mer …
The History of the Cotton Swab
The History of the Cotton Swab: From a Baby's Bath to a Global Waste Problem
The cotton swab was invented in 1923. One hundred years later, billions are thrown away every day. Here is the full history — and where the story goes next. Les mer …
The Environmental Impact of Disposable Cotton Rounds
Why Your Skincare Routine Has a Hidden Waste Problem Cotton rounds are one of the most overlooked contributors to bathroom waste. Small, seemingly harmless, and used for just seconds before being discarded — yet their cumulative environmental impact is significant. If you use two cotton pads per day for toner, micellar water, or nail polish removal, you discard over 700 rounds per year. Multiply that across billions of people and the scale becomes alarming. How Many Cotton Rounds Are Thrown Away Each Year? Globally, billions of disposable cotton rounds are... Les mer …
The Environmental Cost of Disposable Tissues
The Paper Product Nobody Questions Tissues are one of the most universally used disposable products in the world — and one of the least examined. We reach for them automatically: a runny nose, a smudged mascara, a spilled drop of coffee. Each tissue is used for seconds, often less, and discarded. At the individual level, the waste feels trivial. Scaled across billions of people, it is substantial. How Many Tissues Are Used Each Year? Global tissue paper production exceeds 40 million tonnes annually — a figure that has grown consistently... Les mer …
Environmental Impact of Cotton Swabs
The Environmental Impact of Cotton Swabs: What the Numbers Actually Say
Billions of cotton swabs end up in landfill and oceans every year. Here is what the numbers actually say about the environmental cost of a single cotton swab. Les mer …
Is Your Sexlife Eco-Friendly?
Er sexlivet ditt miljøvennlig?
Er sexlivet ditt miljøvennlig? Vel, det er et spørsmål vi kanskje ikke stiller oss selv så ofte, men soverommet er potensielt et oversett område hvor vi bør være ekstra oppmerksomme.... Les mer …
Plastic Fantastic? The Dark Side of Plastic Pollution and How We Can Combat It
Plast fantastisk? Den mørke siden av plastforurensning og hvordan vi kan bekjempe den
Visste du at over 5 billioner plastbiter flyter i verdenshavene? Innen 2050 forventes dette tallet å være firedoblet. Du har sikkert hørt den kjente setningen, " i 2050 vil det... Les mer …
Advanced Tips To Reduce Waste
Avanserte tips for å redusere avfall
Null avfall kan virke som et skremmende tema. Vi hører om det på nyhetene og på sosiale medier, men det er vanskelig å vite hva vi som enkeltpersoner kan gjøre.... Les mer …
Things That Cannot Be Recycled
Ting som ikke kan resirkuleres
Resirkulering er ansett som en av de mer effektive måtene å beskytte miljøet vårt på. Regjeringer, forskere og miljøvernere ber oss alle gjøre mer av det. Men hvorfor så? Vel,... Les mer …
How To Compost In An Apartment: A Guide
Hvordan kompostere i en leilighet: En guide
Den bærekraftige livsstilen har blitt stadig mer populær i det siste, ettersom flere mennesker innser viktigheten av å begrense deres miljøpåvirkning. Det har ført til at flere har engasjert seg... Les mer …
Sustainable Events: What Are They & How You Achieve Them?
Bærekraftige arrangementer: Hva er de og hvordan oppnår du dem?
Begivenheter er rundt oss. I våre personlige liv kan dette være for bryllup, bursdager, jubileer eller andre viktige datoer. Profesjonelt kan det innebære møter, konferanser og utstillinger, blant andre arrangementer.... Les mer …
7 Zero-Waste Travel Products to Help the Earth
Zero Waste Travel: Hvordan bør du organisere reisen din?
Å reise er en av livets store gleder. Enten det er en langrennstur med tog eller en flytur til et eksotisk sted, kommer det å reise til nye steder med... Les mer …
The Waste from Makeup Removal
Avfallet fra sminkefjerning
Endelig. Det er slutten av dagen, og det har vært lenge. Du setter deg godt til rette for kvelden, og det er på tide å fjerne sminken og gå i... Les mer …
Eco travelling: An Easy to Follow Guide
Økoreising: en enkel å følge guide
Å se nye deler av verden er en av livets store gleder. Det gir oss en sjanse til å møte nye kulturer, se nye landskap og møte nye mennesker. Men... Les mer …
Zero Waste Makeup Options for Everyday Use
Zero Waste Makeup-alternativer for daglig bruk
Det er mye å vurdere når man tenker på vår innvirkning på jorden. Ulike handlinger vil vanligvis ha forskjellig vekt.🐄 Ulike på våre personlige liv og ulik vekt på jorden.... Les mer …
Facts About Paper Waste: 7 Ways To Reduce Your Waste
Fakta om papiravfall: 7 måter å redusere avfallet på
Innpakningspapir, bøker, malerier, kart over verden. Alle disse elementene er laget av papir. Men for alle viktige brukstilfeller kommer det også et fotavtrykk. Et fotavtrykk som var mye mer bærekraftig... Les mer …