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WARNING: This is for the experienced Reuser. Only for those suffering from OCR (Obsessive Compulsive Recycling).
- I like to reuse my q-tips for cleaning those "hard to reach" areas in my apartment. Take my bathroom for instance. It dates back to the 1950's, and its fixtures are legitimately considered antiques. So it doesn't always function as properly as a modern bathroom would. The drains in my sink and shower get so clogged that water won't even run through.
That's when I turn to my reused q-tips. They have a perfect thickness for poking through the holes in my drains and pushing that gunk down. I usually don't even cut the cotton part off my q-tip beforehand. I'm sure my 60 year old drains have touched a lot worse than a little bit of ear wax. - For most other reuses, it's best that to cut the cotton part off first. If not, things could get pretty disgusting. I like to use the paper sticks for various arts & crafts projects. I often dip them in paint, and arrange them into different patterns once they've dried. You can glue them onto paper for a greeting card, the wooden border of a picture frame, or onto large pieces of cardboard for placemats.
The possibilities really are endless when it comes to decorative activities. If you've never been a fan of crafts, you could always donate them to your local kindergartens-they're always looking for materials for their creative arts classes. - Or... worst case scenario, just cut the cotton part off and cover the stick with a spare piece of cotton/tissue you have lying around the house. Then you can go on with your q-tip business (i.e. removing makeup, cleaning ears), but you will have saved a stick's worth of paper.
I know reusing cotton swabs sounds extreme. In fact, most people would probably believe that it doesn't make a very big impact in the grand scheme of things. But even if this is true, there are still many positives that can come out of reusing q-tips. Mainly, it would help change our mentality towards recycling. It would get us to always question every object thrown into the trash... to start thinking "out of the box" for all the things we can reuse. It's not so much about saving the life of one single q-tip, but more about a change in attitude.
And that is something that would have a positive global impact on the environment.
Need proof that it's possible to balance being green and still be a supportive partner and parent? See how Ed Begley, Jr. does it on Planet Green TV's Living with Ed.
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