COTTON SWABS!
From Wikipedia: “The cotton swab is a tool invented in 1923 by Polish immigrant Leo Gerstenzang after he attached wads of cotton to toothpicks. His product, which he named “Baby Gays”, went on to become the most widely sold brand name, “Q-tips”, with the Q standing for “quality”.
Legend has it that Gerstenzang had his stroke of genius when he saw his wife affixing a wadded up piece of cotton to the tip of a toothpick. (Sounds dangerous!) As a safer alternative, Gerstenzang devised a ready made, one piece solution to cleaning hard to reach spots (like the ear); and thus, the cotton swab was born.
The Evolution of the Swab
Over the years, the swab has seen multiple evolutions. While you can still buy Q-tips at the drugstore, swabs today come in any number of shapes and sizes; and inventors are continuing to innovate on Gerstenzang’s simple design. Now swabs are available with wooden, plastic, paper and metal handles, and any number of tip-types, like foam, sterile cotton, polyester, and flock.”
http://blog.puritanmedproducts.com/bid/357796/the-history-and-evolution-of-the-swab
Environmental impact of cotton swabs: Often used once and then disposed, so, adding to the landfill. The cotton swabs with paper sticks/handles can be composted, where industrial composting is available (San Francisco, for example). Cotton is highly biodegradable.
Cotton is a monocrop, meaning it’s the only crop being grown in a given plot. This can have a negative impact on the surrounding habitat. Cotton is a pesticide heavy crop, which is destructive to the environment. It also takes a lot of water to grow cotton.
Properties: Soft, bendy, smooth, fuzzy, cotton, plastic, paper
Capacities: For cleaning ears, cleaning electronics, applying makeup, art projects
TOOTHPICKS!
From Wikipedia, on the history and invention of toothpicks: The toothpick is known to predate the arrival of early modern humans. It is the oldest instrument for dental cleaning. The skulls of Neanderthals, as well as Homo sapiens, have shown clear signs of having teeth that were picked with a tool.
Toothpicks are well known in all cultures. Before the toothbrush was invented, teeth were cleaned with hard and soft dental woods. Toothpicks made of bronze have been found as burial objects in prehistoric graves in Northern Italy and in the East Alps. The use of toothpicks was also well known in Mesopotamia.
How it’s made: toothpicks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP_7FIpPFEQ
http://www.eatingutensils.net/history-of-other-eating-utensils/toothpicks-history/
http://www.enoughof.us/drop-that-toothpick-–-our-forests-are-disappearing/
Environmental impact: Deforestation. Single use items added to the landfill.
Toothpicks are compostable/biodegradable. Boxes of toothpicks are usually covered in plastic, which is more material added to the landfill. The boxes are usually made of paper/cardboard and can be recycled.
Properties: Smooth, sharp, cylindrical, wood
Capacities: art projects, cleaning between teeth, science projects, food preparation
Floss Picks
Floss picks were invented to make flossing easier. Flossing requires a certain amount of dexterity, which is why many people don’t floss.
Wikipedia: History of floss pick
“In 1888, B.T. Mason wrapped a fibrous material around a toothpick and dubbed it the ‘combination tooth pick.’ ]In 1916, J.P. De L’eau invented a dental floss holder between two vertical poles. In 1935, F.H. Doner invented what today’s consumer knows as the ‘Y’-shaped angled dental appliance. In 1963, James B. Kirby invented a tooth-cleaning device that resembles an archaic version of today’s F-shaped floss pick.
In 1972, an inventor named Richard L. Wells found a way to attach floss to a single pick end. In the same year, another inventor named Harry Selig Katz came up with a method of making a disposable dental floss tooth pick. In the end of 1980s floss picks became mass marketed in various versions.”
How they’re made:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWVT3UdFsVY
Environmental impact: Floss often goes to the landfill. Floss picks in particular are wasteful because they are advertised as being useful on-the-go, and for one time use. They are part of the epidemic of single-use plastic items.
Excessive packaging, sometimes recyclable, sometimes not. Wax used on the floss can be made of beeswax, vegetable wax, mineral wax, or petroleum waxes. All have a different impact, some are more biodegradable.
Properties: Sharp, smooth, waxy (on the floss), soft (the floss), rounded edges
Capacities: cleaning between teeth.
