How to Dispose of Sex Toys? PRO TIPS From A Sex Toy Tester!

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow. — William Shakespeare

Life is full of good-byes, and sex toys are part of life, so there will come a time when you want to dispose of one or more of your sex toys. It may not work anymore, it may be unsafe, or it may be shunned in favor of something new and different. But this raises some questions: Can I recycle sex toys? Is it safe to toss them in the household trash?

Fear not, though, because one of the founders is here to walk you through the safest and kindest ways to discard a sex toy that’s fulfilled its mission.

Recycling Right

Some sex toy companies have indeed made great strides towards sustainability, but the truth is that most sex toys incorporate electronics and a mixture of materials, and this makes them rather unfriendly to the environment. We do what we can, though, and that should include recycling whenever possible. Recycling keeps at least some of the components out of the landfill and reduces the demand for virgin materials. Your rabbit vibrator might get new life as a park bench where real live rabbits play!

Many municipalities and some private programs offer “e-waste recycling” for items with electronic components. They will remove the electronics and recycle as much as they can, and safely dispose of the rest. Check to see if you have any local programs that will accept sex toys with motors. You might also be able to find services that will provide a mailer for your electronic items.

Some sex toy companies have started their own recycling programs. You may even get a store credit if you send them your no-longer-loved sex toys. Check out the programs at The Natural Love Company, Come As You Are, Eden Fantasys, and ScarletGirl. Companies that promote sex toy recycling tend to also produce body-friendly, sustainable sex toys and that is another reason to want to do business with them.

You may also be able to recycle informally — consider giving your sex toy to a friend. You can even have a toy-swapping party with a group of really, really good friends! Everyone can try something new and nothing will go to waste.

Please be sure that your sex toy is clean before you send it off! Actual humans are going to be opening the packages and dismantling the items. Sex toys, especially toys that have scratches in the surface material, can harbor bacteria and other contaminants. We’re recycling because we want to be responsible, so let’s do it responsibly.

Fixing It Up

Sex toys are an investment — some of the top toys out there top triple digits. You may not want to just walk away from that investment if yours misbehaves. It’s not a good choice for the environment, and it’s not a good choice for your wallet either!

First, try some basic troubleshooting. If your sex toy is battery-operated, remove the batteries, clean the battery compartment with a soft brush or lint-free cloth, and insert brand-new batteries. If it is rechargeable, clean the connector and the port (again, with a soft brush or lint-free cloth) and try to charge it again. You can also try a different outlet or even a different charging cable.

If this doesn’t help, check the user manual or the manufacturer’s website. Read the FAQ section and even the reviews, because there is a chance that someone else has had a similar experience. If your sex toy is still under warranty, you can reach out directly to the manufacturer or retailer. Even if it is not under warranty, it may still be worth checking in with the manufacturer; they may have some tips or they may offer a goodwill replacement or discount on a new toy.

Our sex toy experts can also help you! We have compiled guides on How to Fix a Bullet Vibrator and How to Repair a Broken G-Spot Vibrator. These are worth checking out even if your toy isn’t a bullet or a G-spot vibe, since some of the suggestions are universal. We recommend contacting the manufacturer before attempting a DIY fix, though, as there is a chance that you could void any warranty.

Second-Hand Sex Toy Love

If there’s nothing wrong with your sex toy, but it’s just not doing it for you (which can happen to the best of us!), or you’ve upgraded and don’t need it anymore, you can consider reselling it. Environmentalists advocate for “reduce, re-use, recycle,” and this fits the second two categories very well. Plus, you get some cash in your pocket, your customer gets a good toy at a good price, and your adult toy finds a happy home. Winning all around!

If you have an open-minded friend group, you may be able to find a buyer informally. You can also find groups for buying and selling second-hand sex toys on Reddit and Facebook, or you could list your toys on Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. UsedSexToysOnly.com is a platform for, well, used sex toys only.

Obviously, you will need to clean your toys well before you send them to their new homes! Be sure to include any chargers, accessories, or user manuals as well.

Sometimes It’s Just Trash

We’ve talked about recycling, repairing, and reselling. But sometimes none of those apply. Maybe the toy is broken beyond repair, or the materials it’s made from are not recyclable. In this case, your only choice is to dispose of the sex toy.

Consider the impact on the environment. Even if they can’t be recycled as e-waste, batteries and motors probably shouldn’t go in household trash. Remove as many of the electronic components as you can before discarding the product.

Pro Tip: If you share your living space, wrap the sex toy in newspaper before placing it in the trash. If it is large or uniquely shaped, you can break up the toy into smaller pieces that you can then wrap up.

Out With the Old, In With the New

If you had to part with a sex toy, you may feel a void in your life. The best way to fill that is with a new toy or three! This is our favorite topic and what we’re here for. If you haven’t bought new toys in a while, you will enjoy learning what’s new and hot in this market. Some of the most innovative new sex toys include Rose toys, app-controlled toys, and some brilliant new releases that we saw at this year’s AVN Expo. You can also read all about the best female sex toys and best male sex toys that we have tested!

• Physical Stores: You may want to see and feel a product before you buy it, or you may want the opportunity to ask knowledgeable, sex-positive staff about the various sex toys. Good Vibrations is one of our favorite sex toy chains, but there are plenty of others as well as some excellent local boutiques. Take your significant other shopping and make a day of it, followed by a night in!
• Online Retailers: Not everybody is comfortable shopping in person, though, and not everyone has a sex toy boutique in easy distance. It’s a good thing that there are so many online retailers these days! Plus, very few brick-and-mortar stores can match the inventory of online sex toy superstores like Lovehoney or even Amazon. Most online sex toy retailers encourage you to sign up for their email lists, where you will frequently find sales announcements, discount codes, and information on new releases. You can expect quick, discreet shipping.

We hope that we’ve helped you figure out how to responsibly dispose of sex toys that you do not want or need anymore. Remember to re-use and recycle as much as possible — the earth thanks you!

Happy vibing!

Tim

Tim is our male sex toy expert, and he has reviewed close to a hundred products. He also worked as an English teacher in Japan throughout his twenties, where he gained extensive knowledge of Japanese sex toys and Shibari. He has been featured in Vice.com, among other things.
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