Best green sex toys
Being a friend of the earth may not be your first thought when choosing a new toy for the bedroom. But just as we've seen a rise in eco-conscious clothes, food and beauty manufacturing, so the sex industry looks set to follow.
Many old-style sex toys contain phthalates, harsh chemicals used to create a softer feel to hard plastics -- they're what make that jelly-like feel often associated with vibrators. Strange really, when you consider that the prelude to sex involves getting something hard. Anyway, we digress.
The EU banned phthalates from children's toys in 2004 because of concerns about the toxicity and related health risks. If they were risky in kids' toys, then we're sure they're risky in products used to, er, tickle your fancy in such an intimate way. So when buying a sex toy, check the labelling -- if it states "for novelty use only", step away.
There are plenty of gorgeous alternatives made from glass, silicone, hard plastics and elastomers that you can experiment with. The new glass dildos on the market, made of a hardened, blown glass similar to Pyrex, won't smash if you're indulging in some rough and tumble. These glass toys, as seen in sexy boutiques like Coco de Mer, are beautiful in design and, frankly, too beautiful to be hidden away in your bottom drawer.
Eco-friendly sex toys may ease your conscience in regards to the earth, but what about your purse? On the whole, they do set you back a few more pounds than regular old vibrators, but most are actually better made. They usually offer improved performance and longer life and have the bonus of being kind to your delicate skin.
Then there are the more playful accessories out there, like the spanking paddle we tried out. The one we tried is made from a sustainable wood and manufactured by a fair trade group in India, demonstrating that any product made from certain materials can be made in a green and ethical way. And don't forget to look for green creds in the lube department, either -- we checked out an organic product that's so mild on your skin that it can be used as a moisturiser, too.
So, if you're fastidious about only putting organic produce in your mouth, then you really should care about what you're putting… well, you see where we're going with this. Check out our favourite green pleasure products below.
'Yes' Water-based Organic Lubricant and Moisturiser
Coco de Mer Rubberwood Spanking Paddle
Diva Blush Dildo
Lelo Elise Vibrator
Lelo Luna Pleasure Bead System
