You might have noticed that we talk a lot here at Bedbible about all of the great sex toys you can buy, from affordable vibrators to high-tech sex toys.
But, there’s something else that often gets left out of that conversation: Disposing of sex toys.
Of course, you could just throw them in the trash to go to a landfill.
Shouldn’t we try and do better where possible?
Unfortunately, information on how to dispose of your sex toys in a safe and eco-friendly way is pretty thin on the ground. That’s why we’ve done our best here to gather up all the ways we can find to try and recycle, reuse or safely get rid of sex toys.
We know that not everyone has easy access to recycling facilities, but hopefully, you can find a solution that works for you!
There is one thing to keep in mind, however, when you plan to dispose of your sex toys: they need to be cleaned first! We have guides available on how to clean sex toys on our blog.
Once they’re sparkling clean and you’re ready to say goodbye, here are some more environmentally-conscious ways to dispose of sex toys…
Curb-Side Recycling
This is the kind of recycling that probably comes to mind for most people when they think about recycling. You sort your trash into a couple of different categories and stick it outside to be taken away.
Many sex toys do contain at least some materials that are recyclable at the curb-side. These can include silicone, ABS plastic, and steel. Glass is a little different. Borosilicate glass (what better quality glass dildos are made from), for example, isn’t recyclable like normal glass.
The biggest issue, however, is that every area’s recycling program is different. Check what your local authority is willing to take before you throw your sex toy in the recycling. Do it wrong and automation systems may well divert it to the trash anyway, or even cause a whole bin of recycling to be rejected!
Some authorities will be willing to take whole sex toys and break them down. Others, however, will require you to do it yourself. Sometimes this may be possible, but other times it can be too dangerous. Don’t attempt to disassemble electrical toys like vibrators on your own!
You can, however, recycle batteries in many places. If your sex toy is battery-powered, chances are that you have a lot of used batteries lying around. They might be recyclable curb-side or need to be taken to a center. Either way, it’s discreet! You could also consider using rechargeable batteries in the future — they create tons less waste.
Recycling Centers
If you can’t recycle your sex toys curb-side, you may be able to take them to a dedicated recycling center. This is especially true for electronic sex toys. A lot of the time, you need to take electronics to a specialized electronics recycling center.
Like with curb-side recycling, you may still have to check if your local center will accept sex toys.
Some people may feel too embarrassed to dispose of their sex toys somewhere where others might be watching, but you really don’t have to. First off, there’s nothing wrong or shameful about owning sex toys! But also, it’s unlikely that anyone’s watching you at all. If you feel self-conscious, just place your sex toys under something else in the pile and no one will be any the wiser.
Specialized Sex Toy Recycling Programs
A widespread sex toy recycling program may still not be a thing, but there are some smaller-scale initiatives out there for you to check out.
Online sex toy retailer EdenFantasys runs a sex toy recycling program called Project Re-Vibe. Simply buy a $5 voucher and you’ll be provided with a packing slip so you can ship your old sex toys to them. Then, they use the parts of your toys to build new ones. Plus, you get a 15% off coupon on your next EdenFantasys purchase!
Repair Them!
Did you know that one of the most environmentally conscious things you can do with your waste is to not throw it away at all? Reusing and repairing things instead of putting them through the recycling system uses less energy and creates fewer emissions. It’s no different when it comes to disposing of sex toys.
Repairing sex toys isn’t always possible, and we don’t recommend using broken sex toys, but some programs can help.
Love Not War is a sex toy brand dedicated to creating sustainably manufactured and long-lasting sex toys. However, they also have a repair and recycle program that will endeavor to fix your sex toy if it breaks and send it back to you! If they’re not able to repair it, they’ll also recycle it for you.
Second-Hand Sex Toys
Now we come to perhaps the most controversial sex toy disposal solution on this list. Giving your old sex toys to someone else may well give you the ‘yuck’ factor, but don’t write it off just yet.
Sex toys made from non-porous materials, like a silicone dildo, are body-safe. That means that, if cleaned properly, they won’t hold onto dirt, germs, or any other bodily fluids that they come into contact with. You can also boil non-electrical sex toys (or stick them in the dishwasher) to sanitize them and kill off any bacteria that might remain.
At this point, your sex toy will be pretty much as good as new. So, why not give it a new life? Gift it to a trusted friend (as long as it’s not a surprise!), or go to r/usedsextoys on Reddit and earn some money at the same time. These only take working, undamaged, and 100% body-safe sex toys.
