What’s in your sex toy? Eco-friendly sex toys

It’s not enough to just think about reducing plastic cups and straws, we need to think about how we are living right now on a more global level.

Almost everything we buy and use is disposable, so we can’t do any good in the world if we don’t think about our choices. Being a conscious consumer means making the best possible choice.

The most eco-friendly vibrator is our hands.

Fortunately, sex itself is not harmful to the environment, and there are great options on the market that are of high quality, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free, from vegan condoms, organic lubricants to sex toys.

Erolash, Erotic Fantasy, Empire of Temptation, and Ekstaz55 – these are all names of adult stores, or in Russian, "sex shops." Why do many adult stores look like an old tiger-striped synthetic blanket? Who thinks that a cheap, poorly sewn nurse or maid costume is sexy? And the main question, who could this costume possibly flatter? Maybe only the Chinese person who sewed it.

But what scares the most are the toys and lubricants carefully stored in the windows of these stores. Has anyone heard of phthalates? These plasticizers increase the plasticity and elasticity of plastic. Did you know that an intimate goods store is practically a phthalate paradise? Special attention should be paid to products featuring "aunties with big breasts," as these sex toys are more likely to be toxic. When phthalates enter the human body, they can cause serious disruptions in the endocrine and reproductive systems. Phthalates in men suppress testosterone production. In women, they promote breast cancer, ovarian diseases, and a lack of sexual desire. High levels of these substances can lead to infertility in both sexes. It is also known that phthalates can cause harm during pregnancy, as they easily pass through the placenta. In addition to disrupting the normal course of pregnancy, fetuses experience reproductive system problems. Phthalates are also known to have a toxic effect on the aquatic environment, causing long-term adverse impacts on ecosystems.

What’s in your sex toy?

Good question – eco-friendly sex toys. Many people don’t realize that there are no rules regarding the materials that sex toys can be made from. Pleasure products have no official policy regarding labeling. In fact, products intended for intimate, sexual use are often not labeled at all.

There is always a “cautious buyer” who chooses organic or eco-friendly products, but most people don’t think about or know the negative consequences that come with purchasing cheap sex toys. We believe this arises from cultural shame surrounding sexuality and the adult industry, which often prioritizes profit over everything else.

We tried to study the prevalence of toxic toys in our industry and prove the presence of dangerous chemicals in some popular sex toys. We sent various sex toys from some manufacturers to an independent chemical testing laboratory. The results of these tests were shocking and offensive to consumers.

We are warned that children’s toys can contain toxic substances, so it’s time to realize that adult toys may have their own dirty secrets. Toxins, improperly maintained manufacturing sites, and even unfair labor conditions can be part of the sex toy trade. Greenpeace has been warning about toxins in sex toys for years. Our guide to avoiding harm when choosing sex toys sounds like this:

If you’re looking for eco-friendly toys for your children, look for them for your own pleasure too.

How to choose an eco-friendly sex toy?

Eco-friendly sex toys

First and foremost, material matters. Choose toys made from pure silicone, glass, steel, stone, or wood. High-quality silicone, good-quality glass, medical-grade stainless steel, stone, and properly treated wood are excellent modern alternatives to plastic. Yes, it won’t be cheaper than "made in China," but if you’re not a sex toy shopaholic, it’s better to buy one safe toy.

BUYER, BEWARE:

Avoid toys made from Cyberskin, Elastomer, Fanta Flesh, FauxFlesh, Futorotic, Jelly (or other variations), Neoskin, SEBS, silica gel, TPE/TPR, TPR-silicone, and UR3. These toys are not eco-friendly, toxic, porous, and unsafe.

If your dildo smells bad or you experience burning during use, get rid of it.

Leaf Vibes vibrators received the award for “Best Eco-Friendly Sex Toy of 2015” in Los Angeles.

Good advice, buy quality love gadgets from trusted manufacturers: We-Vibe, Fun Factory, Crystal Delights, Jimmyjane, Nobessence, Leaf Vibes – all of them produce high-quality eco-friendly toys for adults. Not all of these brands are available locally, but in the 21st century, you can order them online and have them delivered straight to your door.

GӒSM

An excellent example is GӒSM. Love at first sight. It’s the world’s first truly eco-friendly adult toy, made from 100% recycled materials and equipped with a revolutionary new rotational charging method, first developed by LELO. GӒSM comes in a set of 8 items, which you assemble yourself, allowing you to take pride in how you’ve built your pleasure. The money saved on production costs goes directly to you!

Another new product for the market is the Gaia Eco Bullet. This is the world’s first biodegradable and recyclable vibrator. This mini vibrator is made from bioplastics based on starch. Enjoy quiet, powerful vibrations at one speed. The Gaia Eco Bullet consumes less energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases than many other sex toys on the market. While it requires one battery, it’s still not entirely eco-friendly.

Gaia Eco Bullet

The first dildos were made of stone. What’s stopping us from enjoying a tested, completely eco-friendly option? For example, hand-made natural pink quartz.

Do you love eggplants as much as I do? Introducing the vibrator from EMOJIBATOR. For lovers of corn, cucumber, and other vegetables, there are options too. Material: medical-grade body-safe silicone. The downside is it requires an AAA battery.

So, as you can see, there are plenty of eco-friendly sex toys. That’s clear. But what do we do with sex toys we no longer need? That’s a real problem no one talks about. Well, most of them end up in landfills... and stubbornly don't decompose.

I don’t know of any recycling programs for sex toys in our country, so while we wait for a program, we need to be more thoughtful about how many items we buy and what materials we choose.

So, to achieve an eco-friendly orgasm and clear your conscience for the sake of the planet and your body, choose materials that cause the least harm to the environment and to you personally.

More eco-friendly options are made from glass, silicone, stainless steel, ceramics, stone, or even solid wood.

Also, make sure they are waterproof, non-porous, phthalate-free, and don’t contain other toxic substances, and you don’t need to use batteries.

Eco-friendly orgasms to you!

Phthalates are suspected of feminizing boys (May 31, 2005).
↑ Swan S. H., Main K. M., Liu F., Stewart S. L., Kruse R. L., Calafat A. M., Mao C. S., Redmon J. B., Ternand C. L., Sullivan S., Teague J. L. Decrease in anogenital distance among male infants with prenatal phthalate exposure (English) // Environ. Health Perspect. (English) rus. : journal. — 2005. — August (vol. 113, no. 8). — P. 1056—1061. — doi:10.1289/ehp.8100. — PMID 16079079.
↑ Fisher J. S. Environmental anti-androgens and male reproductive health: focus on phthalates and testicular dysgenesis syndrome // Int. J. Androl. : journal. — 2004. — Oct. (vol. 27, no. 1). — P. 1—7. — doi:10.1111/j.1365-2605.2003.00443.x — PMID 14768728.
Greenpeace report on sex toys