by Eileen Weber
If you’ve read this site with any regularity, you are aware of the kind of stories we tackle: climate change, land conservation, food and farming issues just to name a few. But today, these sober topics will take a back seat to the eco-friendly condom.
There are brands that use natural products. There are brands that will biodegrade. There are brands specifically made for vegans. And, there are brands with the latex allergic in mind. So many condoms, so little time. So what’s best for the environment?
If you’ve read this site with any regularity, you are aware of the kind of stories we tackle: climate change, land conservation, food and farming issues just to name a few. But today, these sober topics will take a back seat to the eco-friendly condom.
There are brands that use natural products. There are brands that will biodegrade. There are brands specifically made for vegans. And, there are brands with the latex allergic in mind. So many condoms, so little time. So what’s best for the environment?
Condoms have been around almost as long as people have been having sex. By some estimations, some form of condom use dates as far back as the ancient Egyptians. (Although, many historians and archeologists will happily debate that.) Early condoms were made from linen and other natural materials like tortoise shell, animal horns, or even oiled silk paper. But most often, early condoms were made from sheepskin. The sheepskin is actually extracted from the lamb and isn’t their outer skin at all but a portion of their intestine.
What’s good about sheepskin condoms? They are totally natural and fully biodegradable. Eco-friendly, yes. But totally reliable, no.
While they protect against pregnancy, they do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as the typical latex and polyurethane condoms do. Another down side is that they are much more expensive averaging about $30 or more for a dozen. Trojan has their own brand called Naturalamb. According to them, it has the “most natural feeling”. I’ll take their word for it.
For vegans, however, the sheepskin condom just isn’t an option. If you’re a vegan, then Glyde latex condoms are for you. They are not made with any animal by-products. There are also Condomi Condoms made in Germany, which are also vegan. Unfortunately, these are not as readily available in the U.S. like other latex brands and, as a result, are a little harder to find.
Most consumers dispose of used condoms by throwing them in the garbage. While they will end up on a landfill, most condoms are latex-based and will eventually biodegrade. So that’s good news. But there are some who dispose of their condoms by flushing them. This not only clogs up your plumbing, it has the potential of polluting our waterways and hurting fish and other animals that may mistake the litter for food. If this is something you practice, now would be a good time to stop.
If you’re looking for fair trade condoms, check out the French Letter Condom Company. Coined as “condoms with a conscience”, they are the world’s first fair trade condom corporation. Manufactured in Europe, the company extracts the material from rubber trees in southern India in a fair and sustainable way. One percent of their sales goes to ensuring their workers are paid fairly and treated properly.
For some, latex condoms are an issue not because of fair trade policies but because of allergies. There are brands that offer condoms, both male and female, made from polyurethane. But these are oil-based products and do not biodegrade. For the environmentalist, this is not the best option. For the allergic, however, it may be.
One condom worth noting is the “Green Johnny” from Brazil. Manufactured by a state-run company, they extract their natural latex from the Amazon rainforest. According to an article in The Telegraph dated April 12, 2008, the initiative is meant to stop the rampant spread of AIDS in the country. Extracting from the rainforest also utilizes a local resource that is widely available and provides much-needed employment to that area’s community. Distributed by the Public Health Ministry, they are only available in Brazil. Keep that in mind the next time you visit for Carnevale.
People will always find a way to have sex. And when they do, they will always look for a way to prevent unwanted pregnancy and disease. While condoms only take up a small portion of landfills and are the least of our worries when it comes to that issue, it is just one more aspect of our personal lives in which an environmentally friendly option can be found.
So the next time you and your partner get that lovin’ feeling, you can rest assured that what you’re using is most likely made from natural materials, biodegrades, and in some cases, supports fair trade in impoverished communities.
Photos courtesy of Brazil in Hot Pants and French Letter Condom Company.
Natural condoms are very good for environment and it look likes it is very good option for the people that lives a gree0n life.
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