You may have noticed that here at Bedbible we talk a lot about all the great sex toys you can buy, from affordable vibrators to high-tech sex toys.
But there’s something else that’s often left out of that conversation: getting rid of sex toys.
Of course, you can just throw them in the trash to go to a landfill.
Shouldn’t we try to do better whenever possible?
Unfortunately, information on how to dispose of your sex toys in a safe and environmentally friendly way is quite scarce. That’s why we’ve done our best here to put together all the ways we can find to try to recycle, reuse, or dispose of sex toys safely.
We know that not everyone has easy access to recycling facilities, but we hope you can find a solution that works for you.
However, there is one thing you should keep in mind when you plan to get rid of your sex toys: you need to clean them first! We have guides available at how to clean sex toys on our blog.
Once they’re shiny and you’re ready to say goodbye, here are some more environmentally friendly ways to dispose of sex toys…
Curbside Recycling
This is the type of recycling that probably comes to mind for most people when they think about recycling. You sort your trash into a couple different categories and put it outside for them to take away.
Many sex toys contain at least some materials that are curbside recyclable. These can include silicone, ABS plastic, and steel. The glass is a little different. Borosilicate glass (which the best quality glass dildos are made of), for example, is not recyclable like regular glass.
However, the biggest problem is that each area’s recycling program is different. Check what your local authority is willing to accept before putting your sex toy in the recycling. If you do it wrong, automation systems might throw it away anyway, or even cause an entire recycling bin to be rejected!
Some authorities will be willing to take entire sex toys and break them down. Others, however, will require you to do it yourself. Sometimes this may be possible, but other times it may be too dangerous. Don’t try to take apart electric toys like vibrators on your own!
However, you can recycle batteries in many places. If your sex toy is battery-powered, you probably have a lot of used batteries lying around. They may be curbside recyclable or may need to be taken to a facility. Either way, it’s discreet! You might also consider using rechargeable batteries in the future – they generate tons less waste.
recycling centers
If you can’t recycle your sex toys curbside, you may be able to take them to a dedicated recycling center. This is especially true of electronic sex toys. Many times, it is necessary to take electronic products to a center specialized in electronic product recycling.
As with curbside recycling, you may still need to check if your local center accepts sex toys.
Some people may feel too embarrassed to throw away their sex toys somewhere where others might be looking, but you really don’t have to. First of all, there is nothing wrong or shameful about having sex toys! But it’s also unlikely that anyone is watching you. If you’re feeling self-conscious, simply place your sex toys under something else in the pile and no one will notice.
Specialized sex toy recycling programs
There may not be a widespread sex toy recycling program yet, but there are some smaller-scale initiatives you can look into.
Online sex toy retailer EdenFantasys runs a sex toy recycling program called Re-Vibe Project. Simply purchase a $5 voucher and you will be provided with a packing slip so you can send your old sex toys to them. Then, they use the parts of your toys to build new ones. Plus, you’ll get a 15% off coupon on your next EdenFantasys purchase!
Fix them!
Did you know that one of the most environmentally friendly things you can do with your waste is not to throw it away at all? Reusing and repairing things instead of recycling them uses less energy and generates fewer emissions. It’s no different when it comes to getting rid of sex toys.
It is not always possible to repair sex toys and we do not recommend using broken sex toys, but some programs can help.
Love Not War is a sex toy brand dedicated to creating long-lasting, sustainably made sex toys. However, they also have a repair and recycling program That will try to fix your sex toy if it breaks and return it to you! If they can’t repair it, they will 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 give you the “yuck” factor, but don’t rule it out just yet.
Sex toys made from non-porous materials, such as a silicone dildo, are body safe. That means that if properly cleaned, they won’t retain dirt, germs, or any other body fluids they come into contact with. You can also boil non-electric sex toys (or put them in the dishwasher) to disinfect them and kill any bacteria that may remain.
At this point, your sex toy will be 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 visit r/sextoys on Reddit and earn some money at the same time. These only require sex toys that work, are not damaged, and are 100% body safe.
