Sex & Sustainable Living: Easy Steps For an Eco-friendly Sex Life

Photo by Jazmin Quaynor on Unsplash

In June 2020, a study revealed that 61% of the people interviewed want to make changes in their lifestyle to be more sustainable. Their main obstacle? Not knowing where to start.

Let's fill this gap! Here are our best tips to make positive changes in your sex life with the ultimate guide on eco-friendly sex.

# Question & research everything

That's the number one rule when transitioning to sustainable living. Indeed, our overconsuming system is based on profit, cost-saving, and fast-paced production to the detriment of our health and the environment. 

Once you realize that, you will notice that you are surrounded by harmful products, sometimes hiding behind a "100% natural" label. While greenwashing is a constant obstacle to genuine ethical buying, fear not: well-intentioned green businesses exist for real. And keeping yourself informed, combined with researching, are your weapons.

Let's also remind ourselves that there are no perfect solutions: being part of a consumerist society forces us to opt for the "less bad option" among all the others available on the market.

# Use protection against STIs

A mindful sex life starts with safe sex. Using protection is the most basic, conscious, and eco-friendly step you can start with.

In the United States only, nearly 16 billion US$ were spent in medical care for the 26 million new STIs cases in 2018.

What we can do best for planetary health is staying healthy, taking care of ourselves, while being mindful of others as well. It sounds limited perhaps, but if everyone was doing so, wouldn't it allow the existence of a safe community?

That's what social sustainability is all about. While sustainability concerns environmental preservation, it is also linked to social matters. Social sustainability aims to create a healthy environment for people to thrive, thus contributing to a better society. When you feel good, you want to do good, right?

# Be in control of your fertility

While overpopulation has been blamed as the leading cause of climate change, we could argue that it involves more unhealthy behaviors, including overconsumption.

In fact, a tiny portion of the world population uses most of the planet's resources and contributes the most to global pollution. According to the data gathered by The Guardian, an American produces 40 times more emissions than a Bangladeshi.

Then, could education be key to a more mindful lifestyle? In this sense, being in control of your fertility implies that you can choose the moment you want to have children. It means being more prepared to be a parent, emotionally and financially. 

Better education leads to environmental awareness, according to a report written by UNESCO in 2016. For example, it revealed that educating farmers through farmers’ field schools supports sustainable farming, and helped reduce the environmental impact by 39%, and pesticide use by 17%.

# Be aware of all contraception methods impact

Undeniably, contraception is the best thing you can do for yourself and the planet. Although there is a myriad of contraception methods to choose from, some are more eco-friendly than others.

When choosing your contraception method, you need to think about:

Effectiveness

Not all contraceptives are created equal and their abilities to reduce the risk of pregnancy vary significantly.

Pollution

Some contraception methods come in non-biodegradable packaging and need to be taken every day. It inevitably increases the amount of waste produced. That's the case of the pill, for example. The packaging of the condom is also non-biodegradable, but it is the only protection against STIs.

Of course, long-term contraception methods, such as the IUD, the implant, or the injection, produce barely any waste. The IUD is a small piece of plastic that needs to be replaced every 5 to 10 years.

Talking about waste, it's essential to dispose of your trash in the right way. Condoms should never be thrown in the toilets, as it will end up disrupting your sewage system (not fun) - among other things. They should decompose in landfills.

Consequences on human health

Every hormonal contraception contains synthetic estrogen, which once ingested, implanted or injected on women, is then released through urine in wastewater, water sources, and even ends up in tap water.

Although we don't know what effect it can have in the long term on our health, it has been proven to disrupt fish reproductive systems.

When it comes to mainstream condoms, additives are blended with latex, including harmful chemicals such as talcum, paraben, nonoxynol-9, and more. 

Human rights

The condom industry is also linked to unsustainable rubber plantations, which source the main component of condoms, latex. Countless negative consequences derive from these practices, including deforestation, destruction of wildlife habitat, poor working conditions, excessive use of chemicals harmful to the soil, and human health - because the latex will then be in contact with genitals.

In this context, only the Rhythm method is waste-free, chemical-free, conflict-free and completely natural.

# Pick your condom well!

In the USA only, 450 million condoms are sold each year. It's a lot of items ending up in landfills. 

The case of the condom is complex: it's single-use, non-biodegradable, packaged, and contains chemicals harmful to humans. The industry also contributes to the dairy industry and testing on animals, making condoms a non-vegan item. On top of that, it's impossible for now to make condoms that are not single-use, because if they weren't, they wouldn't protect against STIs.

But great news! The ethical sex industry is catching up. Nowadays, plenty of brands, such as the Green Condom Club, produce vegan condoms without harmful chemicals. And because good news never comes alone, there are possibilities to source latex from sustainable rubber plantations: in this case, latex is organic, sustainably harvested, and comes from a renewable plantation.

In brief: the condom is the only way to protect against STIs, so better with than without. Yet, choosing a green one is even better!

# Choose your sex toy well

Nowadays, almost half of the British population owns a sex toy. Needless to say, the industry keeps on growing - especially since the beginning of the lockdowns due to COVID-19.

The problem is that most sex toys are fabricated with cheap and non-biodegradable plastic. Worst, in the United States as in Europe, sex toys are not really regulated - except for the ones labeled as medical devices.

Check the materials used before buying

What are these dangerous components? Phthalates are the main component of most sex toys, which are hormone disruptors affecting testicles and fertility. Then, they also contain trimethyltin chloride, phenol, carbon disulfide, toluene and cadmium - causing risks from a rash to brain damage.

Instead, try to look for toys that are made with medical-grade silicone, stainless steel, glass, gemstone, or wood.

The safest thing to do is to pick a company that truly advocates for eco-friendly toys. And a quality sex toy will last longer!

Check how a sex toy is powered

As you probably know, batteries are a huge problem: they contain toxic materials, and as cheap items don't last long, they become disposable after a few months of use. To tackle this issue, the sex shop Lovehoney, in the UK, offers customers to recycle their old sex toys.

Once again, the sex industry is catching up: it exists now sex toys that are solar-powered or rechargeable. The last innovation is pretty incredible: the first biodegradable AND recyclable vibrator is now on the market. 

Gaia vibrator, introduced by Blush Novelties, is made of bioplastic blended with plant-based materials. It apparently degrades in a few months if composted in an adequate commercial facility.

To finish, have a look at these sex toys reviewers, Epiphora and Dangerous Lilly. They're fun to read!

# Same rule applies for lube: choose your lube well

Obviously, lubes also contribute to plastic pollution as they are packed in plastic bottles. The other (delicate) issue to consider is that vaginas and butts consist of mucous membranes, which are extremely sensitive and absorb what you put in… Such as lube. 

That becomes a problem when we know that lubes can be composed of toxic chemicals. An Advisory Note published by the WHO informs about serious concerns concerning the pH and osmolalities of lubricants.

While the vagina's pH is between 3,8 and 4,5, many lubes have pH levels higher than 4,5, which can cause vaginal inflammation. Long-term exposure to a high dose of osmolality can disrupt the normal vaginal secretions, ultimately breaking down the mucous membrane.

Unfortunately, it doesn't stop here. Most lubes are petroleum-based, hence containing chlorhexidine gluconate, parabens, cyclomethicone, cyclopentasiloxane and cyclopentasiloxane, chemicals in flavors and fragrance.

The best thing to do is check for alternative brands that make plant-based or water-lubes, and those using recyclable packaging. As a reference, here is a transparent list of ingredients composing our Green Condom lubes.

# Green up your hottest lingerie 

Let's go even further and attack your wardrobe! What are the things to consider when buying fabric-based items such as clothes, sheets, and lingerie?

What materials are used? Where do they come from?

The fast fashion industry mostly uses cheap synthetic materials, unsustainable cotton and plastic-based fibers to make clothes. And to process materials such as viscose, modal, lyocell and tencel into fabrics, a lot of chemicals are needed.

Good alternative materials to look for are wool, linen, organic cotton, bamboo fibers, ethically sourced silk, recycled fabrics. Elastic can be made biodegradable as well.

Where is it made? What are the working conditions (wages, etc) of the labor employed? 

When possible, it's always better to contribute to your local economy.

Is it biodegradable?

It's important to consider the end of the life cycle of clothes: where do they end up? The top option: biodegradable fabrics!

# Review all your bed-related belongings

What's sex without a nice and comfy bed? 

At the risk of ruining this pleasant vision, I'm afraid I have to say this: beds are also nests for toxins and chemicals!

Let's start with pillows. They're generally made from synthetic materials, which create volatile organic compounds, causing asthma and allergies.

Mattresses are treated with stain guard and fire-resistant chemicals (PBDEs), aka petroleum-based petrochemicals.

The solution for both is simple: opt for natural fibers. Organic wool, organic cotton, natural and organic rubber, and organic bamboo.

To ensure that a brand is ethical, check if it has a certification guaranteeing the use of organic textile. For example, the label GOTS.

Some brands even practice "giving back" to the community, by donating a percentage of their profit to charities. The mattress brand Happsy gives back 1% of its profit for the planet.

# Watch ethical porn!

Hold on. What's the problem with porn now?

Well, it's a big topic. But let's mention that it is solely focused on men's desires and represents women in a very degrading way. You just have to read most porn titles to acknowledge it: "Hot Bitch Getting Fucked Hardcore", "Giving My Bitch What She Deserves". The porn industry shows a high degree of violence towards young girls, who are generally exploited and poorly paid.

In opposition, ethical porn advocates for fair treatment of performers and filmmakers, respecting consent and boundaries. It is usually not displayed on free platforms because people actually get paid properly. It features a more realistic vision of sex and is way more inclusive - showing different bodies, races, age ranges, queer relationships, and female perspectives.

# Get inspired by the ecosexual movement!

Eco-sex is when you care about the environment, and that it influences your way to have sex and your choice of partner. It's all about advocating for sexual freedom and environmental preservation, through personal awareness, self-love and self-empowerment, connection with your body and nature.

# Try eco dating

Is eco dating a way to date more consciously? I guess you just need to try and see for yourself. If you want to meet people with similar values, have a look at Grazer, GreenSingles, Veggly, Elite Singles, Planet Earth Singles, and Green Passions. 

# Save energy and resources

Well, let's finish with an easy one for the road. Think about turning off the lights, avoid letting the water run for too long (in case you've suddenly got company under the shower) and avoid at all costs single-use items, such as wipes to clean yourself up. Instead, think reusable, and use a towel.

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Benefits of being eco-friendly

We hope that this article gave you a clearer idea of how you can be greener in your sex life ♥

And remember: being eco-friendly is good for the planet, but it's also beneficial for you!

Research has shown that caring about the environment helps to build up a more positive self-image.

And it makes total sense. As humans, we are at our best when surrounded by nature and community. On a deeper level, our global health depends on nature's wellness - everything is interconnected and interdependent.

“If you love yourself, you love others. If you hate yourself, you hate others. In relationships with others, it is only you, mirrored.”

— Osho

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