From eco-lube to bio condoms: how to have a green sex life

It's time to have some good, clean fun in the bedroom. says Rachael Sigee
Keep it green
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Rachael Sigee23 May 2016

Green is the new black. Londoners are shunning plastic bottles, cutting down on household waste, composting and cleaning the house with soda crystals and white vinegar. But while we’re all getting hot under the collar over air pollution, what about the environmental damage we’re doing while we’re getting hot under the collar in the bedroom?

At a time when we’ve never been more careful about what we put in our mouths (steady), eliminating toxins from our diets and cutting out sugar, we should be just as concerned about what we’re putting ... elsewhere. Having sex is about expressing our most natural physical instincts but who knew that doing the dirty was actually adding to the planet’s woes?

You’re not a true eco-conscious Londoner until you’re making sure that while you’re getting, erm, screwed, the environment isn’t.

Gwyneth Paltrow might have been overdoing it when she suggested steam-cleaning our vaginas but she has continued her quest to look after lady parts and started selling non-toxic lubricant on Goop.com.

This time, though, she just might be onto something. Not only do many sex products contain parabens, linked to reproductive issues and hormone imbalance, some are also oil-based and thus not safe to use with condoms.

Gwynnie’s brand of choice is Sliquid, which is a brand name you just can’t unhear. Because it’s Goop, she’s obviously selling its premium line, which is infused with all-natural hibiscus and green tea. Other brands such as Good Clean Love use organic aloe leaf juice to keep everything moving smoothly, while Sustain offers a fair-trade range of sustainable and organic products to hit both the G-spot and the green spot.

Theoretically, condoms are great for the environment: the fewer humans taking up planet space, the better. But in terms of direct environmental impact, the news isn’t so good. Goop’s go-to sexpert Dr Maggie Ney says, breezily: “Ideally, you want to find a vegan, paraben-free, glycerin-free, Nonoxynal-9-free and benzocaine- and lidocaine-free condom.” You can see why she’s mates with Gwyneth.

Sliquid natural lubricant

The adult industry was onto the vegan pound long before most retailers, as the majority of latex condoms are produced using casein, a dairy protein. Vegan options include GLYDE, made from natural rubber latex and thistle extract, which is also paraben- and glycerin-free. But even zero-waste bloggers have admitted defeat at having completely waste-free sex because even though latex is a natural material, made from the sap of rubber trees, it’s incredibly slow to decompose. So most condoms end up in landfills. Non-latex condoms are even worse — polyurethane is plastic and therefore non-biodegradable.

But the most environmentally friendly condoms— lambskin — only protect against pregnancy, not STDs, and being made of membrane from sheep’s intestines, they’re not for vegetarians, let alone vegans. Realistically the least we can all do is buy in bulk to minimise packaging.

Best sex toys - in pictures

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The “pleasure” industry is not subject to the same regulations as others, meaning lots of practices and chemicals that wouldn’t be OK in food or cosmetic manufacture are still used.

With sex toys, you’re looking to avoid phthalates. These are chemicals used to make hard plastics more flexible, and research has shown links to cancers, autism, infertility and diabetes.

Instead, choose glass or ceramic toys which are free from toxins, and opt for toys that are rechargeable so you’re not going through loads of toxic batteries while you’re watching The Affair.

Leaf Vibrators are not just inspired by nature when it comes to their ergonomics, they are also made from 100 per cent silicon and come delivered in recyclable cardboard packaging, but to be absolutely sure that the planet is getting some loving at the same time you are, there are websites for sexual eco-warriors.

The Leaf vibrator is made from 100 per cent silicon

Earth Erotics actually powers its website using windpower, and that’s before you even get to the products, from hemp candles to whips made from recycled rubber. Jimmyjane focuses on selling long-lasting products made with durable materials and replaceable components. And if one does break, or maybe it holds memories you’d rather forget, donate to SexToyRecycling.com instead of chucking it in the bin. After sterilisation, rubber and silicon are ground up, mixed with a binding agent and remoulded into new toys — albeit coated with a new layer of silicon for safety purposes,

After all, sex is the most natural thing in the world. Let’s keep it that way.

Follow Rachael Sigee on Twitter: @littlewondering

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