Many sex toys are made of materials like ABS plastic, pure silicone, metal or even reclaimed wood that can be recycled in nations with robust recycling programs. Some manufacturers and retailers also accept their own sex toys for trade-in, cleaning them and turning them into new products.
Sadly, widespread sex toy recycling isn’t yet a thing. That’s why it’s important to know how to dispose of sex toys discreetly.
Dispose of Sex Toys Safely
While sex toys only represent a small fraction of overall consumer waste, they’re often made from a variety of materials that can be toxic to the environment. Fortunately, more and more companies are stepping up to help with the problem by offering sex toy recycling services.
For instance, Love Honey, a retailer with the Rabbit Amnesty Program, will recycle your old vibrating sex toys for free. All you need to do is package them up properly and send it to the company. The company will disassemble the toys and separate them into their different parts for reuse. The toy will also be sterilised to make sure that any germs and bodily fluids are removed.
Many local councils in the UK have a disposal centre where you can drop off sex toys and other electrical items for recycling. You can even sell your sex toys on a second-hand website if you don’t want to use them anymore. However, it’s important to remember that any electrical items, such as vibrators, should be sterilised before being sent off for recycling.
If you’re looking for a more hands-off approach, there are also services that will take care of your sex toys professionally. These companies will usually have a dedicated team of people to handle your intimate items and dispose of them safely. They will usually offer a range of collection and disposal options, from pick-up to drop-off.
Disassemble Sex Toys
Whether it’s a vibrator, dildo, or pocket pussy, every sex toy is bound to get old and start to lose its charm. But rather than throw them away or re-use them for something else, why not rehome them? This is a great way to avoid unnecessary waste and make sure that no germs are left behind on the toy before being used by another person. Using a disinfectant such as a special sex toy cleaner or bleach is recommended before you rehome a toy. A thorough cleaning can also help prevent STIs, such as hepatitis and scabies, from spreading to the next person.
Some online sex toy retailers such as Eden Fantasies offer a sex toy recycling program for a small fee. They will send you a voucher with instructions on how to package up your old toys and send them off to be recycled, dismantled and repurposed according to the highest eco-standards. The company will also dispose of the batteries and sterilise each part of the toy.
This isn’t a solution that has taken off on a huge scale, but it’s one option to consider. As a general rule, it’s best to buy fewer toys to begin with, re-use them as much as possible and only replace them when they are beyond repair. It’s also better to invest in a good cleaning routine so that you can prolong the life of your toys as long as possible.
Dispose of Sex Toys Eco-Friendly
Many sex toys, especially those that are electronic or made of a variety of materials, can be recycled. Unlike some cheap, low-grade sex toys that aren’t recyclable at all, high-quality materials like ABS plastics, silicones, glass and treated and sustainably-sourced hardwood are all in theory recyclable. However, most recyclers simply don’t want anything to do with sex toys that may have come into contact with sexual fluids and other unpleasant substances.
It’s important to check your local laws and regulations before trying to recycle sex toys, as the rules will vary by state or country. It’s also worth remembering that recycling uses a lot of energy and produces a significant amount of waste. If you’re going to recycle sex toys, it’s best to do so as discreetly as possible and make sure they are clean before throwing them in the bin.
If your sex toy can’t be reused or recycled, you can still dispose of it responsibly. Check to see if your local charity shop accepts donations of used items such as vibrators. Otherwise, try searching online for companies that will do the recycling for you. Ann Summers, for example, will take unwanted vibrators off your hands and give you credit to use towards your next purchase.
You can also consider selling your sex toy to an artist who will repurpose it for art or other creative endeavors. This is a fun and discreet way to get rid of an old toy that you no longer need.
Dispose of Sex Toys Discreetly
Many sex toys are made of materials that are recyclable curb-side, including silicone, ABS plastic and steel. However, a toy that vibrates or oscillates is considered an electrical item and must be disposed of at an e-waste recycling centre. Check with your local council to see what options are available for disposing of electronic items.
Unfortunately, even though sex toys make up only a miniscule portion of overall consumer waste, they’re often overlooked when it comes to eco-friendly disposal. This is mostly because sex toys contain batteries and electronics that, when thrown away, can cause environmental havoc. Batteries, for instance, emit volatile chemicals such as lithium, sulfuric acid and cadmium that can leach into soil, contaminating drinking water and killing plant life.
If you want to be environmentally friendly when it comes to disposing of your sex toys, consider disguising them in a nondescript bag or container before throwing them out. This method will help ensure that no one accidentally discovers them, and it can also help you feel less awkward about tossing something so personal in a public bin.
Additionally, if you have a flair for creativity and enjoy DIY projects, consider repurposing your sex toy into something else. For example, you could use an old sex toy as a decorative piece of art or turn it into a functional item like a vase. Just be sure to sanitize and sterilize your toy before doing so.
