Why? Because the waste is COLOSSAL
YOU-WOT FACT
We get through an estimated 1.8 billion cotton buds every year and 9.3 million wipes every day
Let’s bypass the official stats for a second and take a quick inventory of the toiletry stuff that trots in and out of our bathroom cabinets pretty much every day (we’ve ticked off waste-free showers and teeth, have a look if you missed those). It seems it takes a lot to keep us sketchy humans looking and smelling good!
Cotton buds
Cotton / makeup pads
Face wipes / wet wipes
Tissues
Now let’s picture each of our bathroom bins (have a look before you tip it out next week) x 25 million UK homes x 52 weeks a year x our adult ages. It’s actually pretty staggering. Our poor planet! How could we all have been so oblivious?! Whilst the government has banned plastic stemmed cotton buds (since Oct 2020), there’s still no room in our new thriving world for single-use anything.
Time to put it right?
Here’s how. We stop and we swap. Single use for reusable/washable/foreverable. There’s such good sustainable stuff available now, that we’ve got no reason (or excuse) not to.
Here’s our top picks (they are all in the Shop too):
Cotton buds - Last Swab. These are the worlds’ first reusable cotton buds and totally brilliant. We know the idea is pretty icky (that’s how we felt) but honestly these are just fab. You simply use the product, wash it under water and then put it back in the storage case, ready for the next time you need it. Will replace up to 1000 cotton buds - that’s about a years worth. They do a make up and a ear one. International delivery.
Makeup remover pads - This one removes every trace of makeup using nothing but water, and are soft and gentle on your skin Although made from micro-fibre, we think the fact that you don’t need any remover and can be washed 200 times makes up for that. These are also great and made from organic cotton, so tick every box. Rinse with soap and water after using and put in the washing machine once a week.
Face wipes (or face washes) - We swear by muslin cloths to use with your favourite cleansers. These are organic and unbleached. Tick.
Tissues. Do we really need them? If yes, these are washable. Or a hanky?
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Will it cost me more money?
Not in total - it’ll cost more up front but then, that’s it. You’ll save a stash.
We…
Aimee: I’ve still got about 200 earbuds in my bathroom cabinet so I’ll use those first and then make the switch. Muslin cloth already stocked. Not quite ready for a hanky yet…
Sonia: The Last Swab is one of the best inventions ever and love a muslin cloth. Why didn’t we think of this years ago, humans?!
“Let’s nip it in the bud”
Photo: Alex