6 sustainable tips for an eco-friendly sex life
It’s becoming increasingly easy to incorporate eco-friendly options into most aspects of life, but what about your sex life?
Luckily for you, I’ve done all the research needed for an eco-friendly sex life on your behalf! So go and pop the kettle on, sit back, relax and read the following tips on how to make your sexy carbon footprint a little bit (or perhaps a lot)smaller.
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Eco-friendly condoms
I suppose I’m starting with an obvious one here.
Condoms are the most commonly used disposable items in the realm of sex. So it’s one of the most impactful things to swap for a more sustainable choice.
In an ideal world, there would be male birth control that simultaneously prevents unwanted pregnancy and contraction of sexually transmitted infections. Thus making the latex penis socks obsolete.
While the labs are taking their sweeeeeeet time on that one, condoms are here to stay, so it only makes sense to choose an option that has less of an impact on the earth, right?
Companies like Sustain, HANX and Einhorn are all doing great things by creating condoms:
- With minimal and recyclable packaging
- Made from all-natural latex (by saying no to the all-too-often added chemicals)
- Without animal byproducts (yes, the condoms you’ve used previously probably have animal derivatives in)
- Made and packaged by [adult] workers whom are paid living wage
Hanx make vegan-friendly condoms crafted from 100% fair rubber latex.
If everybody switched from their usual condom brands to these, the pay-off on the planet would be insurmountable.
(P.s. if you’re thinking why not just skip the condoms altogether? Unplanned reproduction is way worse for the environment. Plus, condoms are the only contraceptive method that protect against STIs.)
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Eco-friendly materials
While shopping sex toys, mindfulness is key. So instead of opting for the saturated market of rubber, jelly or silicone dildos – why not reach for a glass option? (And no, a glass dildo will not break inside of you)
Glass dildos are made from a strong type of glass called borosilicate glass. Contrary to popular belief, they’re actually one of the safest options for sex toys! And they needn’t end up in landfill like the other materials.
Benefits of glass toys include:
- Non-toxic, non-porous and hypoallergenic
- Sanitary and easy to clean
- Durable (known to outlive husbands)
- Visually appealing (can also be used as an ornament)
- Recyclable (!!!!!)
- Great for temperature play
Glass dildos can be widely recycled and can last for decades.
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Choose plastic-free
Excessive [plastic] packaging is pretty common in the sex toy industry.
Wisely choosing the brands you buy toys from can make a huge difference on the plastic waste that goes into landfill. Brands demonstrating reduced plastic waste usually have other sustainably conscious practices in motion as well!
The Natural Love Company uses plastic-free packaging for their sex toys.
For example, The Natural Love Company packages all of their toys in 100% plastic-free, recycled and recyclable packaging. In addition, they contribute to 1% for the planet, offer carbon-negative worldwide delivery and are totally vegan friendly.
However, be aware of green-washing. “Green washing” is when a company uses “green” marketing to appeal to an eco-conscious audience, while continuing to follow their usual unethical practices behind the scenes.
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Avoid fast-fashion
You could pick out 3 or 4 sets of lingerie for under £20 on a fast fashion website like Boohoo, sure. I understand your pain, really, I do.
But it’s important to make yourself aware that the clothing from these brands are made neither sustainably, nor ethically.
These brands thrive off of:
- Extreme mass production of poorly made clothing
- Stolen designs
- Fleeting trends
- Cheap materials, fabrics and equipment
- Throwaway culture
- Severely underpaid labour
The fast fashion industry contributes 10,000 items of clothing to landfills every 5 minutes.
Investing in beautiful, well-made lingerie from slow fashion brands is more important now than ever. In my humble opinion, it’s way sexier to be environmentally conscious in timeless and well-loved pieces.
(Let’s normalise second-hand lingerie, too! We’d all buy a second hand swimming costume – that’s the whole point of washing machines!)
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Organic lube
Something described as “organic” means it was produced without use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, or other artificial chemicals. Organic ingredients are generally free of additives like synthetic chemicals, fertilisers and hormones.
Non-organic lube can contain harsh chemicals that are bad for the earth and can lead to infection.
Switching to an organic lube keeps toxic chemicals away from the earth, wildlife, and your genitals!
Yep, as well as being kinder to the planet, organic lubricant is also kinder to your body. It would be less likely to cause irritation or disrupt your ph balance. If preventing thrush doesn’t provoke better lubey choices – I don’t know what will. (And I’m guessing you’ve never experienced a yeast infection)
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Rechargeable vibrators
Single charge batteries will need to be replaced – a lot. (If you use your vibrators anywhere near as much I use mine, at least)
Rechargable vibrators are a more sustainable option than those that require batteries.
Choosing rechargeable saves unnecessary single-charge batteries from going to waste.
Hey, I even once bought a vibrator, and went as far as reordering a whole new vibrator when the battery died shortly after buying. Simply because I couldn’t be bothered to acquire new batteries for it. A little bit of the planet died with those batteries that day.
Rechargeable avoids the battery wastage and saves you some pennies along the way. You’re welcome!
Et voila! Your brain is now jam packed full of 6 sustainable solutions for your (soon-to-be) eco friendly sex life. And remember – even applying one of these tips, is a step in the right direction of change.
“Great things are done by a series of small things done together” – Vincent Van Gough
