duostick

What it does

Duostick is a reusable amenity that combines a toothbrush and razor by swapping modules on a single aluminum stick. It reduces cost and plastic waste through minimal replacement while enhancing both hotel branding and guest experience.

Your inspiration

As plastic waste becomes a global issue, Korea banned free disposable amenities in hotels with over 50 rooms from 2024. Yet amenities remain a key branding element. I aimed to solve the waste of countless toothbrushes and razors while leaving guests with a memorable experience. I propose a structure where toothbrushe and razor are replaced on a single stick. Also, if you imprint the guest’s name or the hotel’s name on them, they can be used at home, which can encourage repeat visits.

How it works

Duostick consists of an aluminum stick with interchangeable toothbrush and razor modules. Each module snaps into a groove with a 90° lock and friction to prevent over-rotation, ensuring ease of use. The toothbrush module with bristles can be hygienically replaced after multiple uses. The razor module combines metal blades with minimal plastic to reduce resource use. Both modules are compact and lightweight, cutting plastic use to about 1/5 and 1/3 of conventional disposables, respectively.

Design process

I started by analyzing disposable amenities, dismantling various toothbrushes and razors to study their structures. Observing hotel stays, I focused on removing unnecessary parts to save plastic. Through sketches and mockups, I designed an intuitive, stable rotation and module-swapping structure. I then used 3D printing to build and refine prototypes, minimizing interference between parts and verifying usability.

How it is different

Unlike typical reusable products that are just 'green', duostick considers both hotel branding and guest experience. Many reusable amenities today are expensive, untakeable, or lack brand value. Duostick dramatically reduces plastic usage while maintaining an intuitive design. Personalized engraving creates a memorable experience for guests and encourages repeat visits. The balance of sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and branding is what makes duostick unique.

Future plans

I plan to test durability and hygiene by producing aluminum molds, and use recycled plastics to minimize environmental impact. The goal is to optimize mold design and cost for mass production. I also hope to collaborate with hotels to adapt brand colors and styling.

Awards