Eco-friendly love: Our guide to green sex

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important for many people – and that’s a good thing. But what about the most beautiful thing in the world? Can we actually make sex environmentally friendly? Yes, we can!

What is green sex?

When it comes to our love life, we often think about anything but sustainability. We use latex condoms which contribute to land fill and often contain chemical products. Somehow the opposite of “safe sex”, right? Sex toys can also be made from non-biodegradable materials such as plastic. Green sex means knowing there are environmentally friendly alternatives. Just make sure that your toys do not contain any plasticizers or phenol substances which penetrate the body and can irritate the sensitive mucous membranes. It’s a good thing that there are so many good alternatives in 2023 that won’t harm us or Mother Nature.

Tips for green sex in the bedroom

Keep your eyes open when buying sex toys!

There are plenty of vibrators, kegel balls and penis rings on the market that would not pass a pollutant check. The reason is they are contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), phenol, nickel or other dangerous pollutants.

The solution: Pay close attention to how the toy is made. Toys from brands like Womanizer and We-Vibe are produced in a vegan-friendly way, which means free from animal products. In addition, only skin-friendly, pollutant-free materials such as body-friendly silicone are used.

Safe sex – with the right condoms!

Sex without a condom is one thing, but what about the wrong kind of condom? Recent studies show that latex condoms may contain allergy-causing latex proteins or even potentially cancer-causing pollutants. There is also another problem. Condom’s rubber materials are produced by plantation workers in Asia, Africa and South America – frequently under very poor working conditions. And if you live vegan, you have to be particularly careful when buying contraceptives, because some condoms contain the milk protein casein. Woah, there is a lot to consider! Good thing there are now vegan condom labels whose products consist exclusively of fairly traded natural rubber. They are also not tested on animals and free from flavoring and coloring agents.

Free from side effects: natural lubricants

Lubricants often contain glycerin which can cause fungal infections. The oil-based agents, if not properly removed, can attack the vaginal flora and even promote bladder infections. Bad news for a product that is supposed to lube up our love life. Good news: There are also organically produced gels that are water-based and free of all pollutants such as parabens. Aloe vera, for example, is a perfect basis for lubricants, because the sap of the plant moisturizes really well without irritating the mucous membranes. Anyone who has ever treated sunburn with it can confirm that. And vegan lubes are a good option, too!

The pill and packaging

The contraceptive pill is still the number one contraceptive for many women. However, it can cause unwanted side effects and also produces a lot of packaging waste. Plus, only about 40 percent of the hormonal agent gets broken down, with the rest ending up in wastewater via the urine. Since the sewage treatment plants are unable to completely filter out the hormones, the level of estrogen in our waters rises. A green alternative is the IUD or coil for long term safe contraception.

The right lingerie

What about our underwear? As our closest everyday companion, we have good reason to wear quality, non irritating material. Unfortunately, this does not apply to some of the commercially available lingerie. But today there are some wonderful options for organic underwear that not only feel good, but also look great. It is definitely worth investing a little more here.