Today, there are many different types of condoms available to suit different needs and preferences. But with so many options available to buy, it can be challenging to know which condom is the best choice for you.
If you're looking for a vegan and eco-friendly option, there are several things you should keep in mind. This blog post will explore the world of vegan and eco-friendly condoms to help you make the best choice for your next purchase.
Table of Contents:
- What are condoms made of, and are they vegan-friendly?
- How eco-friendly are condoms?
- Are there any other options for eco-friendly and vegan condoms
- The bigger picture - condoms and the planet
- How to store condoms to avoid waste
What are condoms made of, and are they vegan-friendly?
Condoms are an effective and popular contraceptive to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy. Unfortunately, many condoms are not vegan or eco-friendly due to their composition.
The accepted composition of condoms is either latex, polyurethane, polyisoprene, or a mixture of latex and polyurethane. It's possible to get a lambskin condom, but these definitely aren't vegan, although they might be eco-friendly in some circumstances.
Lambskin condoms are made from a membrane obtained from sheep intestines, while latex is derived from rubber tree sap. Some might consider lambskin condoms made as a by-product of meat production eco-friendly because you are using the entire animal.
Lambskin condoms become unsustainable and ecologically unfriendly if they are bred just for the intestines and the remaining parts of the animal are wasted. Many vegans and vegetarians will have a problem with this philosophy.
How eco-friendly are condoms?
Condoms are one of the oldest and most reliable forms of contraception available. Recently, our attention has turned to the eco-friendliness of condoms, with many companies offering products made from organic or sustainable materials.
Vegan consumers are also pleased that many condoms are made without animal by-products such as milk proteins, casein or gelatin. The packaging waste of condoms is minimal, with most eco-friendly brands opting for plastic-free and biodegradable materials like cellulose or paper.
Ultimately, using condoms is one of the most ecologically responsible methods of contraception available today because it is better to have safe sex than bring unwanted children into the world.
Are there any other options for eco-friendly and vegan condoms
In the eco-conscious age we live in, many people are searching for eco-friendly and vegan condoms. While traditional condoms made from natural rubber latex are mostly eco-friendly and suitable for vegans, there are other problems to consider.
While nature contributes to the makeup of latex condoms, they are not biodegradable, and condoms should only be used once before being discarded, making them unsustainable. Even though latex may be obtained organically from trees, conventional latex condoms are not made with 100% pure natural rubber to make them as thin and pleasant as possible.
Instead, they could include polyisoprene, a mixture of natural rubber-derived latex and synthetic latex that is likewise not biodegradable. Polyurethane and polyisoprene are forms of plastic and therefore do not naturally degrade, making all classic forms of condoms decidedly un-eco-friendly and not at all sustainable.
So what can you choose instead? Two companies are leading the way, providing vegan, eco-friendly, sustainable alternatives: Hanx and Glyde.
Hanx and Glyde lead the eco-friendly and vegan condom charge
GLYDE Premium Condoms
Glyde does not make condoms with chemicals like talc, parabens, and glycerin. Additionally, Glyde produces them from non-GMO, responsibly grown rubber. In addition, they are technically vegan because they don't include casein, a component of many non-vegan condoms that comes from dairy.
Hanx, Gynaecologist-approved Condoms
Hanx Condoms provide eco-aware customers with the assurance that engaging in safe sex doesn't have to entail harming the environment because Hanx makes them from 100% biodegradable Fair Trade latex. Animal lovers especially appreciate the brand's vegan credentials and cruelty-free position, and you can be confident that Hanx obtained all ingredients responsibly.
Fair Squared Condoms and Vegan Lube
Fair Squared is a responsible business that strives to improve the working lives of all of its customers, stakeholders and business partners. The firm manufactures a variety of fair trade, non-cruelty cosmetics and beauty goods in addition to condoms.
The company is a non-profit alternative trade organisation founded in 2005 due to Oxfam's Make Poverty History initiative. Five years later, Fair Squared began distributing its initial product line through Oxfam and Amnesty International.
Soon after, a few student organisations adopted the concept and spread it across the UK. Fair Squared have an extensive range of products, including vegan lube.
While single-use anything is not considered sustainable, it's obvious why you can only use condoms once. Other forms of contraception, like the cap or IUD, if made from natural latex, is sustainable, but the IUD (intrauterine device) will not protect you from STIs (sexually transmitted infections).
The bigger picture - condoms and the planet
While there appears to be a trade-off between sustainability, eco-friendly credentials and veganism, you must consider the bigger picture.
Is there anything more significant than saving the planet? No, there isn't any problem more pressing than saving the earth, and each of us can do our bit to help the environment.
When it comes to condoms, there are some things you can do to ensure your condom use is as green as possible (yes, we sell green-coloured glow-in-the-dark condoms). Here are 5 things you can adopt to be as eco-friendly as possible.
1. Always wear the right size condom
By wearing the right size condom, you can get the most out of your purchase. A correctly fighting condom will do its job while giving you the best, most pleasurable experience possible.
Read more about selecting the right condom size.
2. Don't let your condoms expire
Making sure you use your condoms before the expiration date is the best way not to waste your purchase. Here is our blog about how to tell if your condoms have expired.
3. Chose a sustainable brand
As discussed previously, choosing a brand with the most sustainable and eco-friendly credentials is a good idea. If that brand also sells vegan condoms and vegan lube, it's a win-win.
4. Never throw your condoms down the toilet
You can be as careful as you like in choosing sustainable, eco-friendly, vegan condoms, but you will waste your efforts if you throw used condoms down the loo. By putting your condoms down the toilet instead of in the bin, you risk clogging up your drains (and, for extra embarrassment, your neighbour's drains), and over time the whole sewage system where you live can become compromised. So please don't do it!
How to store condoms to avoid waste
Finally, know how to store your condoms so nothing is wasted.
Proper storage of condoms is key to ensuring safety and eco-friendly use. The best way to store condoms is in a cool, dry area away from sunlight. Avoiding hot or moist conditions will help preserve the effectiveness of the condom, preventing it from wearing or breaking.
Keep eco-friendly latex condoms in their original wrappers until ready for use - because direct contact with items like sharp nails or jewellery can cause tiny tears or holes that wouldn't be visible to the naked eye.
To play it safe, replace any eco-friendly or latex condoms stored long term, and discard them if they appear damaged. However tempting it seems, never try to reuse your condoms.
