Sustainable Pleasure: How to Recycle Your Old Sex Toys Responsibly

Globally, 78% of individuals over the age of 18 own at least one sex toy, and more than half of people bought a sex toy within the last year.

Sex toys can be made from a mix of plastics, silicone, or glass and may feature electronic components to add that extra buzz. But what happens when the battery dies, or your tastes change? Can we divert sex toys from landfills?

The simple answer is yes; however, this is rarely spoken about, perhaps because of sex toy's taboo nature.

Recycling Schemes?

In the UK, it is possible to recycle electronics through Waste Electrical or Electronic Equipment (WEEE). WEEE processes computers, TVs, printers, and even that old Nintendo DS Lite. The program handles the potentially toxic and unwieldy materials electronics contain. But when it comes to vibrators and other electronic sex toys, the rules are not defined. However, due to the nature of the product, hygiene is a stumbling block. Many facilities consider sex toys biohazards and won't accept them even if you drop them off and remove the batteries. At least you don't have to walk into a store and ask if you can drop a vibrator off while everyone looks at you. Secondly, materials such as plastic and silicone are predominantly used. The mixture of materials makes it harder for facilities to sort and disassemble items, meaning that toys could be tossed into a landfill to save time and energy.

What Can We Do?

Enter a few companies who sell and accept sex toys for recycling. One such company is British-based The Natural Love Company (TNLC) who has a recycling scheme aptly called ‘The Second Coming’. This scheme is intended to address the issue of electronic waste, specifically in the form of discarded sex toys, and promote environmentally friendly practices in the intimacy industry.

Waste remains a huge issue for sex toy retailers, and as a business, we feel an obligation to play our part in reducing the volume of products which end up in landfill sites.

Ben Foster, co-founder and director of The Natural Love Company, told Jam Press, as reported by The Independent

The Natural Love Company (NLC) says small electronics, such as sex toys, are recycled through a process known as “e-waste recycling.” This process involves breaking down the electronic device into its components, such as metals, plastics, and circuit boards. These parts are then separated and sent to specialised facilities for further processing. For example, metals can be melted down and reused in new products, while plastics can be granulated and used to create new plastic products.

So, how does it work?

To use their recycling scheme, you need to have purchased a toy from the brand within the last 12 months (at the time of writing) and then contact their support team with your order number and express interest in their Second Coming recycling scheme. After arranging a free drop-off or collection, no printing required, box up your pre-loved electronic sex toys (whether you originally bought them from us or not!) and pop them in the post. Details can be found on their official page here.

However, The Natural Love Company are not the only ones promoting this good practice. Other manufacturers outside the UK offer a sex toy recycling or repair service. Please ensure that you read all the requirements before processing a return.

Eden Fantasys charge $5 for a similar service, allowing multiple items to be sent in one box. The company explains what is accepted and how to package the items before sending them on their way.

Re/Rosewell says they have saved over 200kgs from landfills and operate the first-ever circular recycling sex toy program in Australia with no cost to consumers. However, the company mandates the items sent are less than 200g in weight.

Ilo also based in Australia, accepts all silicone toys from every brand; however, they state that excess packaging will not be recycled.

Adult Toy Megastore, based in New Zealand, explains that for every approved originally purchased directly from them, can be recycled. The brand offers to credit your loyalty account or send you a voucher worth $10 to go towards your next purchase. The retailer has a detailed set of instructions on how to package items before sending them off.

Ann Summers explains they accept electrical/electronic sex toys which can be done in one of their stores. 

Love not War says they will attempt to repair a toy sent; if it is not possible, the company says they will happily recycle it for you at our custom-built, green-powered factory.