Unfortunately, condoms made of polyurethane, a plastic material, do not break down at all. The one thing you want to make sure is that the condoms you choose source their latex from sustainable farms to minimize environmental harm. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Polyurethane condoms are made from a type of plastic, so they’re definitely not biodegradable. Condoms protect against pregnancy and many STIs, are relatively inexpensive, easily accessible, and are one of the only forms of birth control that people with penises have direct control over. It’s possible that after many, many, many years, with the right conditions, a latex condom will biodegrade because, again, it’s mostly made from a natural material. While natural latex is biodegradable, latex condoms aren’t made from 100 percent pure natural rubber. Other Environmentally-Friendly Options For Birth Control (But Not STI Protection). There are advantages and drawbacks to every option, so do some thinking, talk to your partner(s) if you have one, and figure out what works best for you. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. The most eco-conscious form of birth control is the IUD, which is a small, t-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus. One eco-friendly condom company, Sustain, started by father-daughter team Meika and Jeffrey Hollender, argues that using condoms is actually net good for the environment, despite the fact that it’s a disposal product, because condoms contribute to population control. In order to get the latex as thin and comfy as possible, condom manufacturers put a whole bunch of other chemicals and products in them. This website uses cookies to provide you a great user experience. If you search online, you'll find some interesting ideas people have for reusing these wrappers (especially the foil ones), if you can't bear to banish them to a landfill. The FC2 is an internal condom (sometimes called a “female condom”) and it’s the only one currently on the market made of nitrile. what to do with my waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)? If the environmental cost of one-and-done condoms is too much for you, there are other options for birth control that are significantly more environmentally friendly. If the environmental cost of one-and-done condoms is too much for you, there are other options for birth control that are significantly more environmentally friendly. They’re also the most effective form of protection against unwanted pregnancy, with fewer than one pregnancy per 100 women per year. As the name would suggest, lambskin condoms are made from an all-natural material — but it’s not skin. There are advantages and drawbacks to every option, so do some thinking, talk to your partner(s) if you have one, and figure out what works best for you. 2020 Bustle Digital Group. This randy little old lady wants to know! condoms is actually net good for the environment, a great option for people with latex allergies, wash, dry, re-lubricate, and reuse internal condoms, IUDs last anywhere from three to 10 years, the numbers aren’t super great for protecting against pregnancy. They last for two years and while you do have to buy spermicide to use with them, they don’t require much. Yes, vegan latex condoms are eco-friendly as natural latex is biodegradable. Condoms can clog your plumbing, or even end up in the water supply. But there’s one area that condoms fall short, and that’s when it comes to being conscientious about the environment. One can't flush it down the toilet (as numerous Urban Legends demonstrate), and leaving it naked in the wastebasket strikes me as tacky... My impulse is to stick it in a brown paper bag and send it to the nearest land-fill (both semen and latex are bio-degradable). So if you’re using condoms to protect against STIs, don’t use lambskin condoms. Polyisoprene is a synthetic form of latex and, as is usually the case, “synthetic” here means not biodegradable. It’s a process, sure, but those of you already know that the more eco-conscious choice isn’t usually the easiest choice, right? They’re the only type of condom that’s actually biodegradable, although I still wouldn’t recommend throwing it in your compost. However, they’re a great option for people with latex allergies, they’re thinner than latex and conduct heat better, so they do have all of that going for them! Latex is made from rubber from a tree, so you’d think it would be biodegradable, right? By their nature, condoms are a one-and-done deal — you really shouldn’t reuse them, for the most part. And while the cost can be hefty, IUDs are currently covered by the Affordable Care Act and private insurance. Another material used to make condoms, lambskin, is also biodegradable, but it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. Regardless of condom biodegradability, most landfills are over-capacity and do not provide the ideal environment nor the main ingredient, air, necessary for effective decomposition. However, they’re a great option for people with latex allergies, they’re thinner than latex and conduct heat better, so they do have all of that going for them! By clicking “Accept” you agree to this, what to do about hazardous materials and your greener living guides. So there’s that. One eco-friendly condom company, Sustain, started by father-daughter team Meika and Jeffrey Hollender, argues that using condoms is actually net good for the environment, despite the fact that it’s a disposal product, because condoms contribute to population control. The most eco-conscious form of birth control is the IUD, which is a small, t-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus. Latex is biodegradable (when not under water, that is). Second, they’re cheaper than polyurethane condoms and, third, some people say they’re stretchier (and therefore more comfortable). First of all, they’re another great option for people with latex allergies. Instead, they’re made from the intestines of sheep. However, the pores in lambskin condoms are small enough to block sperm, but not small enough to block most STIs — including HIV. Just how *does* one deal with the physical evidence that one has been caring and responsible? Most chemical-free (earth & body friendly) condoms are made from sustainably-sourced latex. But we’re talking thousands of years in conditions that get considerably more air than the average landfill, which means the impact is negligible. All materials on this website are copyrighted. Second, they’re cheaper than polyurethane condoms and, third, some people say they’re stretchier (and therefore more comfortable). Latex condoms are not composed of 100 percent latex, though. By their nature, condoms are a one-and-done deal — you really shouldn’t reuse them, for the most part. The biggest drawback of diaphragms is that the numbers aren’t super great for protecting against pregnancy. Another material used to make condoms, lambskin, is also biodegradable, but it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. So if you’re using condoms to protect against STIs, don’t use lambskin condoms. Unfortunately, condoms made of … However, remember when I said that you shouldn’t reuse condoms “for the most part?” This is the one exception. I’ve personally used diaphragms on and off for years — most recently for the past three years with my long-term partner — and have never been pregnant. That means, unfortunately, that your latex condom is not biodegradable. However, they are not vegan -yep, a lamb had to die for that condom- and do not protect from STDs. But that doesn’t mean using condoms is hands-down bad for the environment. What is the ecologically correct way to dispose of a used condom? In order to get the latex as thin and comfy as possible, condom manufacturers put a … It’s a process, sure, but those of you already know that the more eco-conscious choice isn’t usually the easiest choice, right? On the plus side, semen and other bodily fluids will decompose in the environment, as you mentioned. Lubricant and/or spermicide coated on and/or added to latex and lambskin condoms, however, may also alter the decomposition potential of condoms. Condoms protect against pregnancy and many STIs, are relatively inexpensive, easily accessible, and are one of the only forms of birth control that people with penises have direct control over.