Photo by Andrea Davis on Unsplash
In today's society (for the most part! - see my footnote below) the conversation about sex is largely open-minded. Much like other areas of social taboo, figuring out and expressing your sexuality can be seen as existing in a totally different sphere to environmentalism. But get ready to learn how even your sex life can be more sustainable without sacrificing quality or quantity! There are three sections to this post, and each will include information, brands and tips for making eco-friendly choices. But remember - ultimately, the choice is down to you and where a decision impacts others (romantic and sexual partners etc) be sure to get them involved in the conversation. There is no right or wrong here, just some things to think about! Enjoy!
Contraception
Okay, first things first. If you're having sex, you need to be safe. What's the most eco-friendly contraception? Prepare yourself... abstinence. Argh, I know, but it's true: better than the small percentage of risk you take with condoms, the coil, pill etc is simply taking no risk at all. The least eco-friendly kind of contraception is one that results in creating a new human - which would come with a whole new lifetime's worth of associated environmental impact. Yikes... but for most sexual orientations, having sex is a key part of connecting with others, so let's look at more practical forms of contraception.
Condoms
Functionally, these are great. They protect against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, but they're often made out of latex, which is usually obtained from rubber. Rubber 'harvesting' is a direct cause of deforestation, biodiversity loss and soil erosion. Oh dear... not the best imagery for getting in the mood. So, the production of condoms is not great. What about disposal? Not great either... Condoms block sewer systems when people flush them down the toilet and they take decades to biodegrade. There are some condoms that are more 'eco', such as British vegan brand Hanx, which can now be found in high-street shops like Boots or Superdrug. More options for more eco-conscious condoms can be found in this fabulously-titled Good Trade article These Vegan Condom Brands Want You to Have World-Changing Sex.
Medication
Hormonal treatments like the pill, injection, implant etc take away that single-use waste associated with condoms but of course come with their own form of waste. The synthetic process involved to produce such treatment is pretty intense plus the disposable packaging must be taken into account! On the plus side however, a new TerraCycle scheme has launched across pharmacies in the UK, meaning you can recycle your pill and medicine packaging by dropping them off in stores and pharmacies - so it is very possible to minimise your waste here!
IUDs
These are intra-uterine devices, so physical contraception like the coil. Where condoms and pills contribute a fair amount of packaging (most of which is non-recyclable) other methods like this massively minimise the waste involved. This is a more invasive procedure than medication, but IUDs are very small and don't require replacing often, so this reduces waste overall! Make sure to chat to your GP if you're considering your options and weigh up all the pros and cons involved when making contraceptive decisions - it's very different for everyone!
Toys
Sex is not just for baby-making people! Something else that can contribute to healthy sexual relationships (with others and with yourself!) is sex toys. They are a great way to practice self-care, spice up the bedroom or just a way of trying something new. To consider these in terms of eco-friendliness, I decided to look at the before, during and after of toys.
Buying
In recent years, sustainability has become fashionable in all sorts of wonderful ways, the bedroom included. From biodegradable vibrators to edible vegan lube, the sex industry has left no stone unturned. The Gaia Eco Bullet is one popular biodegradable vibrator and LoveHoney has a really expansive range too. To guide your searches, here are a couple of guides to take a look at when making your next purchase: a MarieClare article for links to reputable brands, and a SheThinx article for step-by-step advice.
Using
Take care of your toys! If it tells you to store in a certain way, make sure to do it. Your product will last much longer and it will be safer to use. The main thing here is to consider purchasing rechargeable batteries - unlike lamps, TV remotes and other battery-operated items, your sex toy isn't in constant use. This means you can afford to charge its battery in between uses and not have the stress of low battery at times you need to use it. Some toys are mains-powered too - in this case, I would recommend you turn your attention to your energy supplier in general!
Recycling
Yep, you can recycle sex toys (which is not something we offer in Want Not Waste mind you!). LoveHoney has been recycling sex toys since 2007 as part of the EU WEEE Directive to combat electronic waste (see here for more information on this). A £1 donation was made to the World Land Trust for every sex toy recycled and for every £100 of funding, an acre of trees was planted. You can still send your sex toys to LoveHoney here and you can also find your nearest e-waste bin here.
Accessories
So, what's left of the basics is lube and lingerie. With these it's pretty simple - what are they made out of, and can they be recycled? As mentioned before, Hanx is a UK vegan brand and offers a prescription service for their condoms and lubes. In terms of further recommendations, the only resource I could find was this NYMag article as Ecosia seemed to think I was talking about bicycle lube! If you know any good sustainable brands, please do let us know in the comments or on social media!
Lingerie and 'sexy' underwear, like any other clothing, is best when it's looked after well and worn multiple times. Depending on the type of lingerie you may or may not feel comfortable buying it second-hand but I would encourage you to scour Depop and charity shops for bras, nightwear and outfits - many places sell items that are still unworn, new and even with tags on! If you're buying new products, there are a range of outlets creating underwear out of recycled or sustainably-sourced material. Some recommendations include Olly, 'Ohe, LoveHoney and Organic Basics.
I really hope this blog taught you something, gave you some new ideas and maybe helped you feel as though you can open this discussion up with others around you! If you have any further tips, brand recommendations or questions feel free to comment below as usual or get in touch with us on social media! We love hearing from you and opening up a dialogue!
Footnote: (potential trigger warning) I would like to acknowledge that I am writing this post from a place of privilege where my sexual identity is my own. There are still 71 countries that have anti-queer laws (76 Crimes, 2021), 7 countries have the power to arrest tourists for bringing sex toys in their luggage (FadedSpring, 2019), in a few nations masturbation remains a chargeable offence (The Guardian, 2013) and New Zealand is the only country to have decriminalised sex work with the exception of migrant workers (All About Law, 2020). So, whilst I write this blog with a tongue-in-cheek tone - no pun intended - it is also important to acknowledge that not all our readers, friends or community may be or feel as free to do so. If you are affected by anything mentioned in this blog please see the following for a few places that can support you: Amnesty International, Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement, Beyond The Streets, Conversion Therapy Dropout Network, Support Line for Rape and Sexual Assault.
Author: Holly
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