Is Sustainability the Future of Sex? Knock, Knock—It’s Time to Go Green in the Bedroom

Let’s heat things up in the bedroom and not on Earth, shall we? 2022 is here, and so is climate change, global warming, ocean acidification, loss of biodiversity, and the list goes on. If you've ever pondered over how you can reduce your carbon footprint, chances are changing up your sex life never made it to the to-do list—while it should've, indeed—and here’s why. 

Apart from sustainable fashion, environmental advocates are now endorsing the adoption of a sustainable sex life—one which involves the use of eco-friendly sex toys, lubricants, condoms, and so on, to reduce the waste load on the planet. But if you come to think of it, sustainable sex ain't a novel idea. "The ancient Indian ‘Kama’ festivals were all linked to nature. They alleged that if you could arouse nature to her full pleasure—flowers blossoming, sap gushing-up trees, greenery flourishing—a replication of that desire and arousal would trickle down to the human race," explains Seema Anand, Author and Kama Sutra Expert. 

That said, eco-friendly sex shouldn't solely focus on what we give back to our planet, but also on what we end up putting in our bodies, under luring labels of ‘long-lasting’ and ‘adventurous’. "Bleü is trying to direct the conversation of sex to comfort and safety; exploring how women are adversely impacted by the harmful chemicals that go into condom manufacturing, such as carcinogenic elements, parabens, benzocaine, and glycerine, consequently increasing the risk of contracting STIs and disrupting hormonal balance," says Komal Baldwa, Founder, Bleü Condoms, India’s first vegan condom brand. 

In efforts to change the narrative of sex with her toxin-free brand, she adds, "It’s time to turn the spotlight on women and their needs. With men-centric advertising—and neglect of how women react to contraception and its impact on their mind and body—making contraception healthier has become the need of the hour. Getting rid of the one-time plastic condom packaging is the first step in this process, followed by sustainably-sourced raw material to condoms that are free from harsh, irritation-inducing chemicals, and a manufacturing process that reduces water wastage by avoiding reliance on accelerators to bind the latex."

But wait; are condoms the only source of non-biodegradable waste? Nuh-uh. "Right from contraception to devices that enhance the experience of pleasure, plastic and latex play a pivotal role in sex and intimacy, and in waste build-up as well. While there has been significant intervention on this issue in the West, India hasn’t been able to tap into this market and welcome change as seamlessly," she adds.

In the midst of exploring the environmental impact, we feel the need to address another pressing concern: Will sustainable sex change the face of intimacy? 

"Modern India has only just started openly exploring the arena of pleasure products. And, due to accessibility constraints, most people are content with just being able to acquire them. It all boils down to quality and affordability—eco-friendly, in due course. That said, it's the best time to introduce the idea of sustainable sex products and invite them into the mainstream," Seema Anand puts forth. 

"When a society can begin to understand people's right to pleasure, as they wish to feel it, rather than an insistence on needing to conform, it's a step in the right direction. If a couple can discuss the purchase of pleasure products based on them being good for the planet, it’s a clear marker of trust, understanding, and an open line of communication; and that's the first step to better intimacy, in itself.