The New Intimacy

How important is "green" when it comes to your sex toys?

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Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Related to: How Green Is Your Sex Life

We all know it's important to be green; recycle, buy local, re-use, etc. A lot of us live in cities where recycling is mandatory and farmer's markets dot every corner in the summer. But how much thought do we give 'being green" when it comes to sex toys?

I know I prefer rechargeable toys or at least rechargeable batteries. How about you? How green is your sex life?
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
I use only rechargeable toys and batteries
64
I use whatever toys seem most fun
156
I LOVE throwing away batteries
5
I use only natural, organic lubes
45
I use the lube that seems best for my purpose
123
Bring on the chemicals, baby!
3
I recycle my old and broken sex toys
24
I toss my old and broken sex toys in with the week old lettuce in my trash
57
Packaging is important to me / I like recycleable packaging
109
I tear into the packaging so fast I don't notice it unless it rips a hole in my hefty bag when I toss it out
45
I try to buy things mostly made locally or purchased at a local store
24
Hell with it. I love Japanese silicone. Fill those container ships up!
27
I am buying the new, crank up vibe and never using another one
What crank up vibe?
55
I give "green" a lot of thought and do my best whenever possible
138
Why do you keep talking about green? You have a Hulk fetish, don't you
41
Other -- and I'm going to tell you exactly how I roll so pay attention to more than the poll, woman!
15
Total votes: 931 (284 voters)
Poll is closed
06/08/2009
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Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Damn. I forgot to add spit as a green lube choice.
06/08/2009
Contributor: imp imp
LOL when I read that I thought ...green spit? eewww. (It's too early in the morning for my brain to be functioning quite right yet ... need more coffee)
06/08/2009
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
This city has no recycling for apartment complexes so we're kinda SOL. I'd recycle packaging for sure, though, given the means.
06/08/2009
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by imp
LOL when I read that I thought ...green spit? eewww. (It's too early in the morning for my brain to be functioning quite right yet ... need more coffee)
Heh. That would be Hulk spit!
06/08/2009
Contributor: Epiphora Epiphora
The only one I felt comfortable checking was that I like recycleable packaging. It pleases me when something comes in a plastic bag with staples across the top.

I use rechargeable batteries... that's my main green thing. I prefer batteries to rechargeability, actually.
06/09/2009
Contributor: Mamastoys Mamastoys
I try hard to recycle but our where we live, we have to haul anything away. I do newspapaers and cardboard (yeah, the boxes the toys come in)! I have some rechargable batteries but I usually buy the throw away kind in bulk..I guess I could do better..I will try..promise!
06/09/2009
Contributor: bodymodboy bodymodboy
I like green toys a lot. I would definitely appreciate an affordable rechargeable vibe.
06/09/2009
Contributor: Backseat Boohoo Backseat Boohoo
First off, I am a packaging ninny. We have recycling bins up at school, so even if I don't have them at my current university-area residence, I'll just throw recyclables in to boxes and take them to a dorm's garbage room when I visit on-campus friends.

Also, I love things that are rechargeable! I checked the "most fun" option, but in all honestly, most of the vibrators I lust after are rechargeable or plug in to a wall. Also, like Epiphora, I use Eneloops in my battery-operated toys...actually, in just about all of my battery-operated equipment.

If a toy is perfectly sterile (glass, silicone, etcetera), or I always used a condom with it (my usual state of affairs) and barely used it, I'll give the toy away to my friends after it's been sanitized if I don't want it. I'd say Thing 1 and Thing 2 have 2 or 3 toys apiece that are things I just didn't have space for. I recycle my toys if they break unless they're made out of an odd material, in which case they have to go in to the trash.

I greatly prefer green things in my life (both for the environment and for my financial welfare), but if I can't get a green product, I just make due.

You really do have a Hulk fetish, woman.
06/09/2009
Contributor: Sarah Sloane Sarah Sloane
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
This city has no recycling for apartment complexes so we're kinda SOL. I'd recycle packaging for sure, though, given the means.
Hey there - I actually take my recyclables to our local library, where they have county recycling dumpsters. Maybe they have something like that near you?
06/09/2009
Contributor: imp imp
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
Heh. That would be Hulk spit!
Hehe or Hulk Lube?

I love rechargable batteries, use them all the time. Rechargable toys even better.

Recycling is encouraged here in NZ and we are supplied recycling bins that are emptied fortnightly which makes for recycling packaging a cinch.
06/10/2009
Contributor: Sarah Sloane Sarah Sloane
Quote:
Originally posted by imp
Hehe or Hulk Lube?

I love rechargable batteries, use them all the time. Rechargable toys even better.

Recycling is encouraged here in NZ and we are supplied recycling bins that are emptied fortnightly which makes for recycling ... more
I was super impressed when I was in NZ last year at the awareness that NZ society has about recycling & eco-friendly living - I wish that the US had the same level of cultural knowledge and willingness to protect & improved the environment!
06/12/2009
Contributor: Sir Sir
I'm personally very eco-friendly with every OTHER aspect of my life. But for my sex life...I could say the main way that I am is that I'm not really into vibrators, so I don't use them at all! As for lube and candles, those I find to be minor. But I do recycle everything (all forms of paper and plastic), so any packaging that would otherwise be thrown away is recycled in my house.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Valyn Valyn
I agree with Sir. I compost, recycle, and I'm hoping the little vegetable garden I planted will live and give me veggies. I use and eat mostly organic products, but there are times when I just can't find an organic type of what I want/need. Were there more organic toy options, I'd love to make my toy collection all-organic. Until then, I just try to do my part!
07/01/2009
Contributor: spicywife spicywife
We try to do our best when it comes to green. We recycle, eat organic and local produce, buy organic clothes for our little one, etc. But I guess you have to do your best when it comes to sex toys, since there isn't a lot of options out there. I try to buy ones that seem like they would last longer though...
07/05/2009
Contributor: Rayne Millaray Rayne Millaray
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
Related to: How Green Is Your Sex Life

We all know it's important to be green; recycle, buy local, re-use, etc. A lot of us live in cities where recycling is mandatory and farmer's markets dot every corner in the summer. But how much ... more
I didn't realize there was such a thing as "green" sex toys until I saw a link for that crank vibe on Twitter. I totally want one of those! But I doubt it'll be the be all, end all for me. Sadly, as much of a tree hugger as I am, my cootch feeling nice is more important. =D
07/20/2009
Contributor: Dark Muse Dark Muse
I try to be as green as I can and buy organic items, but I just recently graduated college and my job doesn't pay all that well, so money is an issue. I can't afford the rechargeable toys right now, so I go with rechargeable batteries. I try to recycle, and buy locally if possible. I compost. Too bad a lot of the products are more expensive. But you gotta do what you can, regardless.
08/18/2009
Contributor: Sanjay Sanjay
I wish there was a "sometimes" option on a few of these.... For example, I like the sliquid lube when I'm "flying solo" sometimes, but I don't think it works very well with my husband so it depends on the situation. I use rechargable batteries in some of my favorite toys, but others I just don't bother because I don't want to mess with switching out batteries beforehand and I don't have enough to just leave them in all of my toys and other electronics.

In any case, I can always put the cardboard box it ships in with the cardboard recycling I don't go after "only green" stuff, but it is certainly a plus.
08/23/2009
Contributor: spicywife spicywife
Quote:
Originally posted by Sanjay
I wish there was a "sometimes" option on a few of these.... For example, I like the sliquid lube when I'm "flying solo" sometimes, but I don't think it works very well with my husband so it depends on the situation. I use ... more
I'd like to see a line of products that are more eco-friendly and I believe one company is working on that though I don't recall who...
09/01/2009
Contributor: Sir Sir
Quote:
Originally posted by bodymodboy
I like green toys a lot. I would definitely appreciate an affordable rechargeable vibe.
I second that notion!
10/03/2009
Contributor: Bill Ditchburn Bill Ditchburn
(Leatherbeaten)
This woman Isis Exotica Lubes makes some pretty good organic lube; feels and functions a bit like Liquid Silk, but smells and tastes better. We sometimes squirt it on our granola ... ok, we don't, but you probably could!

On packaging, as a manufacturer, I don't like it, but it is such an important factor affecting how (most) people choose what item to buy. It drives me bonkers, but it's often the case that an inferior product will outsell a better one on the basis of its packaging. Aaarrgghh! As a result almost all retailers demand it, and to be honest your (however excellent) gear doesn't stand much chance sitting there all happy in a plastic baggie next to something in a shiny slick package.

I love the fact that being a website, products on EF tend to sell on the basis of their review ratings, rather than how slinky the box looks on a shelf. As a result, we don't have to package our stuff to hades and back!
10/05/2009
Contributor: Rose Rose
Body-safe is a bit higher on my list than green, though the two do overlap to a large degree.

If I'm considering one against another, if one doesn't require batteries, that sends it way way up. I'm looking into getting my own rechargeable batteries, as I have lots of things that need 'em.

I don't necessarily recycle packaging; I prefer it when the toys come in reusable boxes [njoy, lelo, etc]. It's discreet, it looks good, and it's convenient.

There is no buying local here; as sex is VERY BAD and we are GOOD CHURCH-GOING GOD-FEARING CHRISTIANS. I think there's one terribly sketchy place somewhere 20 miles on the other side of town [or about 35 miles from me] in a bad area; I'm not going. I do try to buy multiple things at once to cut down on it, though.
10/15/2009
Contributor: TexasFire TexasFire
Quote:
Originally posted by Rose
Body-safe is a bit higher on my list than green, though the two do overlap to a large degree.

If I'm considering one against another, if one doesn't require batteries, that sends it way way up. I'm looking into getting my own ... more
Agreed regarding the body-safe...that's a priority when your wife has allergies and tends to break out in hives easily. Recycled packaging is a plus, since it has little-if-no bearing on the product itself.

Sincerely,
A good church-going God-fearing Christian
12/03/2009
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Quote:
Originally posted by Bill Ditchburn
This woman Isis Exotica Lubes makes some pretty good organic lube; feels and functions a bit like Liquid Silk, but smells and tastes better. We sometimes squirt it on our granola ... ok, we don't, but you probably could!

On packaging, as ... more
That must be frustrating! Another company Whipspider barely uses packaging at all (like a plastic bag and a piece of paper).
Maybe that why companies come here? It'll save them money on packaging costs?

I would love to use more rechargeable batteries, but they're so temperamental! If you don't use them for a couple days, poof!, the battery NEVER works right again.

I like rechargeable toys, but once they quit holding a charge they turn into dildos instead of vibrators.
06/13/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
LOL funny choices Carrie Ann. I try to be green and organic but not always an option.
06/28/2010
Contributor: PassionQT PassionQT
We just had a huge recycling bin delivered to the house, but they don't take old sex toys. I just try to pick out ones that have good reviews and seem to be durable. I feel wasteful if I receive one that doesn't work and is just going to end up in the trash. Consumption is sickening sometimes.

I'll pick up a rechargeable too soon, especially when I find a super powerful one!
07/17/2010
Contributor: Ladyblu Ladyblu
I've recycled a lot of the packing that's wet board and similar materials, but if it comes in a nice box, like Fun Factory toys, I tend to use the box as the storage container.

One of the main problem with rechargeables is that you cannot leave them with a charge. If you do it gains "battery memory" and only wants to fill up to that charge again. And then, they can only hold so many charges. You might buy a 100 dollar vibrator that's only good for about 500 charges, and then you have a toxic battery that's bad to just throw in the trash. And somehow I don't think Best Buy's new recycling program would appreciate a vibrator in one of their battery or cell phone bins. x)

I think a few glass and plastic sex toys could be brought down to the recycling plant. As long as you take any possible battery/motor out first...
07/17/2010
Contributor: Hotflashes & Wetdreams Hotflashes & Wetdreams
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
Related to: How Green Is Your Sex Life

We all know it's important to be green; recycle, buy local, re-use, etc. A lot of us live in cities where recycling is mandatory and farmer's markets dot every corner in the summer. But how much ... more
I can't stand the idea of using up the toxic chemicals in batteries as I do something as natural and pleasurable as sexual play. I was delighted when I found my first rechargeable vibe. Not longer after, I bought a wall-unit to keep rechargeable batteries on hand.

Are there drawbacks? Sure. Wanting to come NOW and having to wait for my vibe recharge because I forgot to plug it in is annoying. And even the best toys will stop recharging after a lot of use. Although I've also found that other sex toys, even some of high quality, also give out over time.

I wish Eden would sell a wall unit battery charger as a option that pops up along with "do you need batteries?" I think more folks would use this option if it were easily available.

And is there such a thing as organic lube??
07/17/2010
Contributor: Blinker Blinker
Eh, I never bother wondering about how green my life is. I'm not going to start a compost or freak out over recyclable packaging and all that.
07/24/2010
Contributor: TheSexista TheSexista
Being a "greenie" myself I try very hard to stay as green as possible when looking for toys. A product being as toxin free as possible is most important to me, especially anything that goes into my body.
07/26/2010