Sustainable Living: Eco-friendly Sex
How to stay green in the bedroom
Mel Pomerleau, Contributor
When it comes to sex and sustainability, there are a number of things that can be done to keep both your sexual partners and the environment safe. From toys to protection, here are few ways to green up your sex life.
Consider the condom. Often, the latex ones are a combination of natural and synthetic latex, which is created using petrochemicals, one of the biggest pollutants known to earth.
While buying condoms, look for brands that are 100 per cent natural latex. Natural latex is made from sap harvested from rubber trees. Companies like Glyde and Sustain sell a wide range of natural latex condoms to meet anybody’s needs.
Consider buying in bulk to reduce the amount of overall waste you produce. Just make sure that you’ve used them all before they expire so that your efforts of sustainability won’t be in vain. And whatever your condom preference may be, remember to dispose of them with care and do not flush them down your toilet.
The pill is among one of the most popular methods of birth control and creates a decent amount of waste when you add up all the months spent taking it. Birth control pills are used for a lot more than just preventing pregnancy. The hormones from the pill can help with a number of different imbalances in the human body. That being said, there are a ton of people who don’t necessarily need to take it and could benefit from the same results by taking an intrauterine device (IUD).
IUDs come in two types—copper and hormonal—and can last anywhere from five to 10 years. That’s a lot less waste product overall. As an added bonus, some women report a dramatically lighter flow during their time of month, further reducing their waste production. Coming from someone who has an IUD, it’s pretty nice not having to remember to take a tiny little pill at the exact same time every day for fear of getting knocked up.
Similar to how we view the food we eat, we should be conscious of what’s in the products we use in our nether regions. Look for natural and chemical-free lubes that don’t use parabens, glycerin, or petrochemicals. Petrochemicals may cause an imbalance of the good bacteria inside vaginas, which can then lead to bacterial vaginosis. A few natural and body-safe ingredients to look for include aloe leaf juice, agar, or potassium sorbate.
Silicone is a non-porous, pliable and hugely versatile substance, making it an excellent material for adult toys. It can even be sterilized in boiling water without damage. With proper care and cleaning, silicone toys can last a very long time.
When it comes to more advanced toys, look for rechargeable options to minimize waste, whether they run on rechargeable batteries or corded versions that have much longer life-spans. The company Good Vibrations has their own line of earth-friendly toys called Ecorotic to designed for normalizing sustainability in the bedroom.
Lastly, to set the mood, dim or ditch the lights altogether. Candles are a great way to add a little extra light to the affair and the aroma possibilities are nearly endless.
Whether this is your first endeavour to live more sustainably or just one more way for you to reduce your impact, it’s important to remember to be safe and communicate with your partner so everyone involved can enjoy themselves in a safe a secure manner.
