LastSwab

A collection of LastSwab Original and Beauty in different colours / Source: LastObject

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4 MINUTE READ

Sophie Benson

WHAT WE SAY:

Single-use plastic swabs have become a blight on the planet. Used for only a matter of seconds, their impact is disproportionate, spurring nations, such as the UK and the EU, to introduce a ban. With LastSwab, Copenhagen-based company LastObject keeps the convenience of the swab or cotton bud and eliminates the waste.

A like-for-like reusable swap, this product is made from plastic but has permanence at its core, calling time on disposability. While design without plastic is always our priority, LastSwab illustrates the simple power of durable, permanent design and it is proof that tackling plastic pollution does not have to mean sacrificing convenience. Replace and Reuse are the two most important R's. If this was plastic-free, we would cheer louder.

KEY FACTS:

LastSwab is a reusable, double-ended swab designed as a permanent replacement for single-use plastic-based Cotton swabs.
Designed for durability, the swab’s rod is made from glass and polypropylene, while the tips are medical grade thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). Its storage case is manufactured from certified recycled ocean-bound plastic and it can be easily washed with soap and water.
As it is tested for up to 1,000 uses, the brand claims the swab therefore saves the planet from 1,000 single-use cotton swabs per user.
A third-party verified Life Cycle Analysis found LastSwab is 8.3 times better for the environment, reduces CO2 by 83%, reduces water consumption by 92% and breaks even with CO2 emissions after 35 uses.
Copenhagen-based brand LastObject is working to eliminate single-use items by developing reusable alternatives. In developing its range of products, LastObject stipulates that they must have at least 10 times the positive environmental impact as the traditional single-use products they replace.

LastSwab Beauty designed for makeup touch-ups / Source: LastObject

LastSwab Original is a reusable and sustainable alternative to cotton swabs / Source: LastObject

DIVE DEEPER:

LastObject estimates that 500 billion single-use cotton swabs are used every year, while Defra, in the UK, found 27 single-use swabs/buds for every 100 metres of beach surveyed in 2017. The company is tackling the effect they have on natural habitats, with its reusable product LastSwab - aiming to keep this daily use product out of our bins and out of our oceans.
Launched in 2019 with a crowdfunding campaign, LastSwab was LastObject’s first product launch, gaining over 30,000 backers and raising over USD 1.3 million. By 2020, the brand had sold over 500,000 units.
The brand has been awarded a number of accolades for LastSwab. It was the DrivenxDesign Awards 2021 Gold Winner, A’Design Award & Competition 2021 Gold Winner, and Muse Design Awards 2021 Gold Winner.
In 2022, LastObject received EUR 2.7 million (USD 2.8 million) in funding from The Footprint Firm, which it will use to scale the business.
Further releases, which build on the success of LastSwab Basic, include LastSwab Beauty and LastSwab Baby. Let us hope they tackle LastDiaper soon.
The popularity of LastSwab prompted the company to expand its range to include LastTissue, LastRound and LastMask. The brand claims to have eliminated over three billion single-use items and stopped 286,288 pounds of plastic entering the ocean since its launch.
While some sources mention that the LastSwab can be returned for incineration, there does not appear to be any formal end-of-life consideration or infrastructure. Use of circular materials, such as aluminium, would provide better options for end-of-life, avoiding landfill disposal.

"... that name came from the fact that since it [the cotton swab] is reusable, it is your last swab; it’s the last Q-tip you’ll ever need."

Isabel Aagaard - Co-Founder, LastObject - as quoted in Savoir Flair

Key Design Considerations:

It is still plastic

The LastSwab is a plastic product. The case is made from recycled plastic, while the rod is made from polypropylene produced in the UK and the tips are made from thermoplastic elastomers produced in Germany. We know longevity and durability are vital for reusable products, but you can achieve these qualities with plastic-free materials. Consider biopolymers as an interim solution, while investing in R&D into next-gen materials. Or look at options, including aluminium, silicone or stainless steel.

Everyday vs infrequent use

Are you redesigning an item associated with occasional use? The environmental impact of a reusable product can outweigh that of a single-use plastic product, if not used enough. So products in heavy rotation, made in high volumes, are the best vehicle for this approach.

Focus on hygiene

Throwaway plastics are often considered to be a hygienic option, making easy-clean finishes a must for your long-lasting product. It is a short-term convenience that infects our planet for generations.

Ease people into new habits

LastObject owes much of its success to familiarity. It does not ask its customers to drastically change their habits or the products they use, mirroring the shape and function of its single-use counterparts. Like-for-like substitutions will provide a low-friction route when behaviour change is your aim.

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LastSwab

WHAT WE SAY:

KEY FACTS:

DIVE DEEPER:

Launched in 2019 with a crowdfunding campaign, LastSwab was LastObject’s first product launch, gaining over 30,000 backers and raising over USD 1.3 million. By 2020, the brand had sold over 500,000 units.

The brand has been awarded a number of accolades for LastSwab. It was the DrivenxDesign Awards 2021 Gold Winner, A’Design Award & Competition 2021 Gold Winner, and Muse Design Awards 2021 Gold Winner.

In 2022, LastObject received EUR 2.7 million (USD 2.8 million) in funding from The Footprint Firm, which it will use to scale the business.

Further releases, which build on the success of LastSwab Basic, include LastSwab Beauty and LastSwab Baby. Let us hope they tackle LastDiaper soon.

The popularity of LastSwab prompted the company to expand its range to include LastTissue, LastRound and LastMask. The brand claims to have eliminated over three billion single-use items and stopped 286,288 pounds of plastic entering the ocean since its launch.

While some sources mention that the LastSwab can be returned for incineration, there does not appear to be any formal end-of-life consideration or infrastructure. Use of circular materials, such as aluminium, would provide better options for end-of-life, avoiding landfill disposal.