I am a green woman, passionate about sustainable living. As a consumer, I try to act in gratitude to the mother of us all, Mother Earth. In the grocery store, I head to the organic produce department. For my bath and body care, I choose natural products, free of animal testing. Though I don’t yet own a hybrid, I try to reduce my gas consumption as much as possible. I conserve water and electricity, and I recycle paper and plastic.
However, I recently realized—with a jolt—that there’s one area I’ve left untouched by my quest for the smallest carbon footprint: my sexuality. Since I firmly believe that sex is an intrinsic part of any healthy lifestyle, my current green lifestyle is incomplete without green sex. So I did some investigating to learn more about how I can improve in this area.
The biggest eco-concern in the bedroom is condom use. Think about it: we carry canvas bags to avoid plastic waste when shopping, but we send a latex condom to the landfill after every sexual encounter. (Sometimes more than one, if we’re lucky.) Unfortunately, lamb-skin condoms, a biodegradable alternative, are just not as effective at protecting against STDs, though they do help prevent pregnancy. In this case, green only goes so far. However, consider relying on a diaphragm or IUD if you have a steady partner and you’ve both been tested. Also, if you’re a vegan and oppose latex (it includes a milk enzyme), the Glyde company sells condoms that are latex-free.
Though condoms can’t help you get your green on in the bedroom, there are many other areas of your sex life where sustainability does become a factor. In terms of lubricants, go for those with all-natural ingredients (you can buy organic at your health food store). Most importantly, make sure they are petroleum free.
When it comes to the fun stuff, sex toys are one of the most important areas where we can go green. Many contain chemicals called phthalates, a plastic softener, which create that jelly-like feeling meant to imitate flesh. These chemicals are known toxins and are actually banned from children’s toys in the UK, so be careful where you put that thing! It would be wiser to purchase a toy made of hard plastic, glass, silicone, or elastomers, especially since these materials are more durable and can therefore cut consumption. Go for battery-powered toys also, and use rechargeable batteries; they save electricity.
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